Pack ‘n' Stack returns to campus to fill shoeboxes
Photo courtesy of Lee University Office of Public Relations
Operation Christmas Child (OCC) remains a beloved annual tradition at Lee University, when students and faculty come together to fill shoeboxes with toys and healthcare necessities. Organized by Samaritan’s Purse, the boxes are sent to children in need throughout the world.
Director of Student Development Rosie Adams has participated in OCC as both a student and faculty member.
“I have had a variety of experiences with OCC,” said Adams. “I have packaged shoeboxes, and I have helped load up the thousands of shoeboxes packed by the Lee students and staff at an OCC processing center in Boone, North Carolina. OCC is definitely one of the highlights of my job.”
Children who receive OCC boxes can share in the joys and pleasures others may take for granted. Each box is tailor-made for a girl or boy and is packaged with age-specific items.
Hundreds of boxes are sent out each year from Lee University alone. Director of Media Services Jeff Salyer said seeing the results of Lee’s efforts during OCC is something to behold.
“OCC is an exciting time on campus,” said Salyer. “Pack n’ Stack is both fun and meaningful for the faculty and students who participate. You get to see, in a tangible way, the efforts of hundreds of students to impact children across the world. When it’s all over and you’re sitting in the bleachers, you see the hundreds of boxes stacked across the floor, and it can be a bit overwhelming.”
Photo courtesy of Irina Creek.
Irina Creek spoke of her own experience with OCC while at Conn Center Chapel in early November. The impact OCC had on young Creek’s life became life-changing for her.
“I grew up in former Soviet Russia, and I was placed in an orphanage at the age of five due to my parents being severe alcoholics and drug addicts,” said Creek. “It wasn’t until after I was transferred to a different orphanage where I received my shoebox gift at the age of 10. When I received my shoebox, I learned about Jesus. I had heard about God, but I had not heard about Jesus, and that makes all the difference in the world. The people who gave us shoeboxes encouraged us to pray to God as a loving Father who wants to take us into His family. To me, this meant that God is the God of adoption, so I finally knew who to talk to about my dream of being adopted.”
OCC extends far beyond the grounds of Lee University. Those who are impacted by the shoeboxes carry their gifts for a lifetime.
Pack ‘n’ Stack will take place at Lee University in Walker Arena on Monday, Nov. 18 at 7 p.m.
