Tired of old shoeboxes cluttering closets and taking up space?The members of Lambda Chi Alpha, Phi Beta Phi and the Sol househave collaborated and have come up with an alternate use for theseboxes.

Simpson will soon be participating in what is expected to be oneof the biggest charities in its history. Operation Christmas Childis a project of Samaritan’s Purse, a Christian based organizationthat provides assistance to the less privileged.

According to Franklin Graham, president of Samaritan’s Purse,”Since 1993, Operation Christmas Child has delivered more than 24million shoe boxes to hurting children around the world. Thisproject is personal, a shoe box can be as unique as the personpacking it. It’s so simple, even a child can do it.”

Students are invited to fill decorated boxes with inexpensivegifts. Such gifts as yo-yo’s, harmonicas, pencils, crayons, soap,combs, hard candy and gum are suggested.

Boxes can be turned in November 20 and 21 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.in Brenton Student Center.

These gift-filled boxes will be sent worldwide to childrensuffering from war, natural disaster, poverty, illness or neglect.These children will have no presents under the tree at Christmasand the gifts they receive will help to brighten their day.

“This is the real deal, not for kids who don’t have a playstation, this is for kids who have nothing and all they have is HIV(Human Immunodeficiency Virus) or cancer,” said junior MarcinWojtczak.

Some fraternities and sororities teamed up to work on thisproject. But other residence halls and theme houses are also takingpart in the activity. Some houses have donated money to the causefrom their house funds.

“What started out as a small charity quickly turned into acampus wide activity. It’s really great to see everyone getinvolved and see how excited they are,” said freshman ReneeLatterell on the widespread popularity of Operation ChristmasChild.

There has been a lot of support from everyone on campus,especially those in the Greek community. The predicted generosityof Simpson students is 150 boxes, but this number will hopefully besurpassed.

In the future, Operation Christmas Child would like to be made aGreek tradition at Simpson College. Goals for next year are tobegin earlier and to collect more boxes.

Lambda Chi Alpha and Phi Beta Phi would like to extend sincerethanks to Sigma Alpha Epsilon, Alpha Tau Omega, Delta Delta Delta,Kappa Kappa Gamma, along with the rest of campus for their effortsand support.

At a hospital for children infected with AIDS, a doctor wascrying at the bed of one child who had received a shoe box. Thedoctor said, “This child has been here for some time, and I’venever seen her as happy as she is today. The joy you have broughtthrough these boxes is indescribable.”

Fill a shoebox with love

Suggested gifts

Toys: small cars, balls, dolls, stuffed animals, yo-yos, jumpropes, toys that light up or make noise, kazoos, harmonicas

School supplies: pens, pencils, crayons, stamps and ink pads,coloring books, writing pads, solar calculators

Hygiene items: toothbrush, toothpaste, soap, comb, washcloth

Other: hard candy, mints, gum, sunglasses, flashlights andbatteries, socks, T-shirts, watches, toy jewelry, small picturebooks, hair clips

Also, enclose a check for $5 or more to cover shipping and othercosts.

Do not include

Used items

War-related items: toy guns, knives

Chocolate or perishable food

Liquids: shampoo, lotion, bubbles

Medicines: vitamins, cough drops, ointment

Breakable items: mirrors, china dolls