The classrooms and hallways were bustling on Friday afternoon as Valley students took time away from the normal school day to pack 180 shoeboxes of gifts to be distributed through Samaritan’s Purse.  The Samaritan’s Purse is an international Christian organization that provides spiritual and physical aid to hurting people around the world; one of their holiday events is Operation Christmas Child.

“Basically they encourage people from across the United States to fill up shoe boxes with toys, toiletries, stuffed animals and Christmas presents for children in struggling regions around the world,” said VLHS teacher Renee Brenner, who organized Valley’s participation.

Valley has participated in Operation Christmas Child for several years with students gathering gifts and packing them before dropping them off at the distribution center at Hopevale Church in Saginaw. From there, they’re sent to children in need all around the globe.

Valley students have chosen to provide not only the contents of the shoeboxes but also cover the $9 overseas shipping cost of each shoebox.

Thanks, students and teachers, for your involvement in this awesome ministry!