Channing Hall Blog: Operation Christmas Child

“Nebojsa had epilepsy and often went to the hospital for treatment. When he received his (Operation Christmas Child) box in the hospital, he opened it impatiently. Inside, he found a hat and gloves, candies and a school set, including a compass and ruler. When he saw this, Nebojsa started crying. His mother explained that he was failing math class because he told the teacher he forgot his supplies, but the truth was that his family didn’t have the money to buy them. He held the supplies in his arms for a long time, with tears in his eyes.“ An Operation Christmas Child shoebox recipient.*

Hard Working Channing Hall volunteers for Operation Christmas Child

Operation Christmas Child delivers shoe boxes filled with Christmas gifts to hurting children around the world. This month Channing Hall students joined to collect and pack over one hundred shoeboxes for Operation Christmas child. This month the organization that runs Operation Christmas Child, Samaritan’s Purse, delivered the symbolic 100 millionth shoebox to 5-year-old Brenda Valdez in the Dominican Republic. But despite these impressive numbers, it still takes one box at a time to make a difference for one child at a time.

At Channing Hall, Tomas Hollenbach was the initial spark to fire up the giving spirit in our school. Here is how his mother, Dulce, describes it. “At the age of 8 years old, Tomas was diagnosed with an inoperable brain tumor (DIPG) but Tomas was still determined to share his faith with the entire world. For the last two years of his life Tomas celebrated his birthday by asking his family and friends to make shoe boxes instead of buying him gifts for his birthday, he also got his school and other organizations involved. His helping spirit inspired friends, family and even his nurse to make shoe boxes. He also raised money for OCC by setting up Lemonade stands in the front yard of his house. Tomas loved Operation Christmas Child. Most of all, Tomas loved sending presents to kids around the world so that they can receive a gift and learn of God's love for them.” To learn more about Tomas’ life please go to www.akid4christ.com.

At Channing Hall we have carried on continuing Tomas’s dream. This year the Middle School joined in the effort with the elementary classes headed by Melissa Young and Tomas’s mother.

With the help of Channing Hall community, immense piles of supplies were donated and these then were boxed up after school by the students. Donations consisted of Hygiene supplies, school supplies, toys and a bit of candy. Plus each box also had a personalized Christmas card made by our students.

The IB program encourages service and teaches caring which our whole community has stepped up to demonstrate with this project. Not to mention a great start to our Golden Rule Project!

Thank You and Happy Holidays!