Shoebox Heroes

Millions of people become shoebox heroes to children in need around the world by prayerfully packing an ordinary box with toys and other fun items to communicate God’s love in a way a boy or girl can understand. But some shoebox heroes go “above and beyond” to ensure that the Gospel of Jesus Christ is proclaimed through Operation Christmas Child, a project of Samaritan’s Purse. We want to introduce you to some of them.

Which Shoebox Hero
Stands Out to You?

Based on your nominations, we will highlight a number of their extraordinary stories on a webpage later this year.

Nominate Your Shoebox Hero

Identify

Determine which shoebox packer motivates you. This individual can pack one box or many to qualify!

Nominate

Tell us about your shoebox hero by completing the form below before December 1, 2026.

Be Inspired

Return to this page at the end of the year to be inspired by shoebox heroes from around the country.

Nominate Your Shoebox Hero

Your Information

Your Name(Required)

First Last

Email Address(Required)

Tell us about your hero!

Don’t forget to include the basic information of who, what, when, and where.

How is this person going "above and beyond" in their shoebox packing?(Required)

If applicable, attach a photo or video to help fill in the details.

Valid file types are: jpg, jpeg, png, and pdf

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If your shoebox hero is selected, Operation Christmas Child will contact you to find out more information.

2026 Shoebox Heroes

Who will be this year's heroes?

Hall of Fame

Click (or tap) a card to flip it over

Mary Damron

West Virginia

Mary Damron (1954-2024)

West Virginia

A coal miner's wife, Mary first rallied her community to pack over 1,200 shoebox gifts in 1994. Shoes were as scarce in her parts as their boxes, so her husband cut cardboard and fastened it together with tape to house the gifts. Franklin Graham invited Mary to help hand out the gifts during the Balkan war. President Clinton later invited her to the White House where she got him to fill a shoebox, too! We praise God for Mary's faithful service as an ambassador for Operation Christmas Child for 30 years.
Adryana

Florida

Adryana

Florida

Five years ago, Adryana set out to pack 200 shoeboxes in memory of her grandmother who was a missionary serving Latin America for five decades. Every year since, Adryana has increased her Operation Christmas Child packing goal. This year, she filled 1,747 boxes, raising over $17,000 to cover the requested $10 donation per shoebox, plus more than $10,000 to send each one of her shoebox recipients through The Greatest Journey discipleship course. She accomplished all this despite battling chronic Bartonella and Lyme disease.
Archie Araujo

Washington

Archie Araujo

Washington

Archie loves to tell people how shoebox gifts spread the Gospel of Jesus Christ to children around the world. This year, he hosted five packing parties, gathering neighbors and church friends in his RV garage-turned-shoebox-warehouse to fill boxes for children in need. His buddies also chipped in for some of the gifts. Archie likes to include a uniquely packed school bag in each box and prays earnestly for the boys and girls who will receive his shoebox gifts. He also volunteers to process shoeboxes at our West Coast Ministry Center.
Abigail

Missouri

Abigail

Missouri

In the single decade of her young life, Abigail has packed 1,800 shoebox gifts—roughly a third of which were completed this year! She filled her first box when she was 4, and asks for shoebox filler items as Christmas or birthday gifts. Abigail has long wanted her own area for packing, and she recently rejoiced because her family built a 40-by-40-foot shed dedicated to filling shoebox gifts. The grade schooler also visits churches to tell them about how they, too, can get involved in Operation Christmas Child.
Timothy

Illinois

Timothy, 11

Illinois

Timothy packed his first Operation Christmas Child shoebox at 3 years old with the help of his older siblings. Two years later, he hosted his own packing party. In 2024, his friends helped him pack 48 boxes. This year, Timothy exceeded that number by hosting three separate packing parties for his neighborhood, school friends, and basketball team. Participants brought filler items and contributed to the $10 donation per shoebox.
Sue Luma

New Jersey

Sue Luma

New Jersey

Sue and a friend annually pack 500 shoebox gifts, each complete with a colorful drawing on the lid, a Bible verse or inspirational phrase, and a handwritten note. Although she is deaf, Sue also volunteers each year at the Baltimore processing center (now our Mid-Atlantic Ministry Center), preparing shoeboxes for international shipment.
Mason Mulligan

South Carolina

Mason Mulligan

South Carolina

Mason, 23, packed his first Operation Christmas Child shoebox gift at age 3. Though he has Down syndrome, he works with businesses to obtain gifts at discounted or no cost. His family fills 200 shoeboxes each year and celebrates Mason's birthday by packing them. He also volunteers at his church's drop-off location during National Collection Week and at the Charlotte processing center.