For the second year in a row, members of the Construction Club collected donations for Operation Christmas Child. Operation Christmas Child provides shoebox gifts to children around the world who have likely never received a Christmas gift. The boxes can be filled for around $10.00 and include items such as toys, hygiene products, clothes and school supplies.

“It is really easy as a student to get wrapped up in your own world, especially during this time of year with projects and final exams,” states student Sergio Lescano who helped coordinate the effort.  “I thought if my classmates and I came together, we could make a big impact in a small amount of time. Last year after collecting 125 boxes, we wanted to keep up the effort and challenge our record.”

This year the enthusiasm of students continued.  With the help of Construction Club members, Technology and Construction Management students, Killian Construction Company, and the departments of Modern and Classical Languages and Communications, 213 boxes were collected-far surpassing the previous record.

Nadine Jones, administrative assistant for Technology and Construction Management, helped secure space to collect the boxes; and Dr. Richard Gebken, associate professor of Technology and Construction Management, helped with the communication effort and transportation of completed boxes.

Once the shoeboxes leave Missouri State, they are collected at a local church and then packed onto semi-trucks to be distributed at drop points around the country. From there, the boxes are dispersed to children all over the world.

Thanks to the generosity of all those involved, the 213 shoeboxes collected will be sure to brighten the Christmas of children all around the world. You can learn more about Operation Christmas Child here.