Operation Shoebox helping children in need

Here is a feel-good story! Idaho Falls residents are on a mission to bring a smile to children in need.

It is national collection week for Operation Shoebox!

Much like the Salvation Army with its Angel Tree, the organization strives to make a child happy during the holiday season.

Community relations Phil Hartung said the task is simple:

“You start with a shoe box. An empty one. It doesn’t necessarily have to have shoes in it. What you do is you put in hygiene items, toothbrushes, soap, washcloths. From there, the shoeboxes go onto a trailer and get sent to one of eight processing centers in the United States. Ours are going to go to Denver this year,” Phil said.

From there, the boxes go out to more than 150 countries and territories around the world.

The organization has collected and delivered more than 135 million gift-filled shoeboxes since it began in 1993.

This accomplishment fulfills their ultimate goal, Phil said.

“We have been blessed with a lot of things that we have and this is a way to send, not only just gifts to children overseas, but also be able to reach them with the message of Jesus Christ,” Phil said.

Idaho Falls residents are not the only ones making is effort. The organization has over 150,000 volunteers, including families, churches and other groups coming together for children in need.

“This is just a very simple way. Maybe cost $15, $20 for you to do and it can reach a child somewhere along the way, without you having to deal with, ‘How do I get that there?'”, Phil said.

Operation Shoebox runs through Monday. Nov. 21.