As we gather around the table this holiday season, a time for reflection and gratitude, it’s important to remember the impact of giving and how small acts of kindness can transform lives.
At Activus Connect, the holiday season is more than just a time for celebration – it’s an opportunity to make a difference. Giving back is deeply embedded in our culture, and initiatives like Operation Christmas Child allow us to spread joy to those who need it most. Through this global program, our team comes together to pack shoeboxes filled with gifts bringing smiles to children around the world.
Our commitment doesn’t stop there, though! Thanks to our “Inspiring Forward” initiative and programs like the “Day of Giving”, Activus Connect fosters a year-round spirit of generosity. These efforts are driven by employees like Chris, who introduced us to Operation Christmas Child and continues to inspire our company’s philanthropic journey,
In this blog, we will explore her story, the impact of Operation Christmas Child and the many ways Activus Connect strives to give back to communities both near and far.
Inspiring Forward: Built on Serving Others
At the heart of Activus Connect lies our Inspiring Forward initiative – a program that reflects our deep commitment to empowering employees to make a positive impact. Whether through volunteering, donating, or creating change in their own communities, our team members are encouraged to turn their passions into action.
Central to this initiative is our “Day of Giving” program, which provides every employee with dedicated time to support causes that matter most to them. This approach not only strengthens our connection to the communities we serve but also nurtures a culture of kindness, unity and purpose within Activus Connect.
By focusing on the well-being of others, Inspiring Forward allows us to turn collective goodwill into meaningful action, driving change beyond the workplace.
Operation Christmas Child
Operation Christmas Child is a global initiative by Samaritan’s Purse that is dedicated to spreading joy and hope to children through the simple act of giving.
Since 1993, the program has delivered millions of shoeboxes packed with toys, hygiene items, school supplies, and personal notes to children in over 100 countries. Each shoebox is more than just a gift – it’s a tangible expression of love that brings smiles and encouragement to children who may have never received a present before.
Beyond the boxes, Operation Christmas Child also shares a message of hope by partnering with local churches and organizations to uplift communities to provide additional support to children and their families
By mobilizing volunteers and donors from all walks of life, the program creates a ripple effect of generosity, demonstrating how small acts of kindness can have a global impact.
How Activus Connect Was Introduced to Operation Christmas Child
Activus Connect was introduced to Operation Christmas Child through the passion and dedication of Chris Herron, our Project Manager & Head of Operations, whose long-term involvement with the program has been an important part of her personal life.
Chris brought the idea to Activus Connect after years of packing shoeboxes and witnessing the profound joy and hope they bring to the children worldwide.
She saw an opportunity to expand her efforts by introducing the program to her coworkers. She knew this was something that aligned perfectly with our core values since Activus Connect has always prioritized community and giving back.
Inspired by her enthusiasm and the mission of Operation Christmas Child, the leadership and employees embraced the opportunity to contribute, making it a company-wide effort, uniting team members in the shared goal of spreading kindness and creating lasting impact.
Employee Spotlight: A Personal Perspective on Giving Back
Over the years, Chris has packed countless boxes, each one a heartfelt effort to show love and hope to children around the world. Her dedication to the cause runs deep, fueled by the belief that these boxes are more than gifts – they are a message of care and connection. This project has created incredible personal connections, like the inspiring story of two people who met and eventually got married thanks to a single shoebox.
With Chris being the driving force behind the company’s involvement, we interviewed her to learn more about her journey and what inspires her. Here’s what she shared:
How did you first get involved with Operation Christmas Child?
I remember it was Halloween of 2011; the year I gave birth to my son. I got an empty shoebox from a friend who participated in a church collection of these shoeboxes. She told me to pack it full of items that would be of good value to those who don’t have a lot for Christmas or throughout the year. I decided to adopt two children to fill up shoeboxes for and I remember thinking “There is not a whole lot I can fit in a shoebox.”
I know these boxes will go to a deprived area, so I bought things like soap, toothbrushes, crayons, pencils, sketchpads, socks, t-shirts and a few little toys. I filled up boxes and gave them to my friend. I remember feeling like it wasn’t much.
That same friend that gave me the box recently adopted disadvantaged children, and I went to the store with her. It was winter so she bought them a pair of gloves and they were so happy! The first thing they said was “I’ve never felt my hands this warm before.” And it got me thinking, that’s what it is about. Something small like that really made a big difference to somebody who doesn’t have anything.
I will never forget the look on their faces. My friend and I were trying to hide our tears because we were so moved. That’s when it started, that’s when I started researching more about Samaritan’s Purse and what other things they do.
What do you think is the MOST impactful aspect of Operation Christmas Child for the kids that receive the boxes?
I think it’s the message behind it. Samaritan’s Purse is a Christian organization, the mission is to help the ones that are deprived and spread the word of God. I think what is really impactful to the kids is knowing they aren’t alone. They go to places where some of the kids don’t have families, like orphanages, not just remote areas. So, it’s really spreading word that there is love and hope. It doesn’t matter if you don’t have all of the things that most of the world has, but somebody is thinking about you.
Can you describe the process of organizing and packing the shoeboxes?
The first step is to find a shoebox. You can pick one up at Hobby Lobby or designated church that participates in the collection. It is a regular size shoebox so you can even go to a store and get one of those plastic shoeboxes with a white lid and that works too.
The main goal is to pack it before the collection week. Collection week typically runs the week before Thanksgiving. You can start the shoebox at any time of the year, you can start in the summer and get random stuff you find on sale that can fit in the box and fill it throughout the year.
Before you pack the shoebox, check what you are able to pack. Throughout the years, they have limited what you can pack. I used to be able to pack things like lotions and toothpaste but now they don’t want you to pack liquids anymore or any types of candies. Anything that could go bad or burst inside the box.
Then, you’ll select the age group and gender you want to pack a box for and choose what you want to buy. Once you pack it, you must make sure you can close the box. If you over pack it, they will take items out and put it in a different box. You also need to make sure not to seal it. It needs to be able to be opened.
An important part to me is I always write a letter. Most of the time they probably won’t be able to understand what you’re writing but I also insert a recent family photo just to show who it is that is loving on them. I let them know that even though I don’t know them, I know that our hearts are connected now from this little gift.
Then you drop it off at a participating center collecting the boxes. It’s a very simple process that takes little effort to participate in and for anybody who doesn’t have time you can go online and put together a box online or donate to help.
What advice would you give to someone who is considering getting involved for the first time?
No matter what situation in life you’re in, what you’re going through, it really takes little effort and little time to let someone know that someone cares for them. It’s the emotions behind it.
If you’re looking for something that will allow you to feel gratitude and make sure that someone feels supported. Sometimes when you’re feeling down, if you do something good for others it helps lift your spirits up.
Believe it or not, there’s plenty of years where I thought “I don’t think we can financially do it this year”, but you know what? Yes, we can. It doesn’t take a lot to be able to do it.
For anybody wanting to join the cause, just start small. Pack one box. Think about why you’re doing it. What are the emotions you feel behind it, because that’s when it really means something.
How do you stay motivated and inspired to continue your involvement year after year?
The first motivation I had was my son. When we first started this, he was a baby and that triggered it because it felt good if I could start a tradition early with him. That’s really my main motivation but what made me keep going was the structure. I’m all about structure and it’s something I can do every year without having to think too hard about what to do and how to give back.
Also, making it a tradition. It’s something I can pass on of value. I got my church involved and was able to pass on these efforts onto someone else. It can trinkle onto more people to give back. Then I brought it to Activus Connect and they decided to match what everybody else did. I also know a lot of other employees that have started doing it. So, I see it as a tradition I can pass on to others.
Wrapping It Up: The Power of Generosity in Action
Through initiatives like Operation Christmas Child, our Inspiring Foward program and the Day of Giving, we strive to create meaningful connections and lasting impacts in communities around the world. Stories like Chris’s remind us that one person’s passion can spark a movement, bringing together teams and transforming lives. You can see the faces of some of these children whose lives have been impacted by receiving a shoebox on their YouTube channel.
As we reflect on our journey, we’re reminded of the power of generosity to inspire change, one shoebox, one act of kindness, and one connection at a time. Together, we’re not just spreading joy – building a legacy of hope for future generations.
We encourage everyone to find ways to give back, whether through programs like Operation Christmas Child or by creating your own moments of kindness. Because no matter how small, every act of giving can make a world of a difference.