During the national donation week, Helene survivors donate to Operation Christmas Child despite losing everything.

During the holiday season, communities affected by Hurricane Helene are not only rebuilding their lives but also contributing to Operation Christmas Child, a program of Samaritan's Purse, which brings joy to children worldwide through shoeboxes filled with essentials, school supplies, and toys. The organization aims to collect enough shoeboxes to reach 12 million children this year.

Since its inception in 1993, Operation Christmas Child has distributed over 220 million shoeboxes across more than 170 countries and territories.

"In 1993, Samaritan's Purse began with 11,000 shoeboxes and aims to reach 12 million children worldwide with the message of Jesus Christ this year, said Rev. Franklin Graham, President of Samaritan's Purse. "This is only something God could do, and we give Him the glory for each and every one of these Gospel opportunities.""

Despite facing major challenges after Hurricane Helene devastated the region, Samaritan's Purse, based in Boone, North Carolina, responded by distributing thousands of heaters, generators, blankets, and winter supplies. The humanitarian aid ministry has also completed the largest civilian airlift operation in American history to relieve those affected by Hurricanes Helene and Milton, completing 358 missions so far. Their ministry includes an army of over 30,000 volunteers -- or, "orange shirts" – mudding out homes, cutting down trees, and clearing debris. Despite their losses from these storms, communities remain committed. Families, school groups, and churches continue packing boxes, determined to share the joy of Christmas with children in need.

The church in North Carolina's mountains, where Rev. Graham attends, was flooded, but fortunately, the shoeboxes had been packed and moved out beforehand.

The community's resilience was commended by Rev. Graham, who stated, "I have never witnessed anything like the individuals in this area. Despite losing so much, they continue to offer hope to children worldwide."

Cherry and Mark Brumbelow of Texas, who experienced similar losses during Hurricane Harvey, traveled to North Carolina to encourage others. Their small church of 55 members has already packed 15,000 shoeboxes this year and sent over 1,400 on behalf of storm-affected communities in western North Carolina. One such community is Lake Lure Baptist Church, which flooded during Hurricane Helene.

Lynda Poe, the Operation Christmas Child drop-off team leader, described the harrowing survival story of a Lake Lure church member. "He tried to stay in his house as long as he could, but the river rose faster than he anticipated. His truck started floating away, but by the grace of God, it got caught on a rock and he was able to escape. Unfortunately, his house was flooded and had to be torn down," said Poe in a release. Meanwhile, Spruce Pine First Baptist Church in North Carolina is going above and beyond by serving as an Operation Christmas Child drop-off location, distributing supplies to those in need, and serving over 40,000 meals to local residents and volunteers.

Despite the devastating flooding caused by Hurricane Helene, the National Collection Week for Operation Christmas Child is still on schedule from November 18-25. Over 4,700 drop-off locations across the U.S. and Puerto Rico are accepting shoeboxes filled with gifts and messages of hope for children around the world. Angie Fritz, Operation Christmas Child project leader for First Baptist Damascus, said, "God made a way for us. We’re excited to still get this opportunity to pack Gospel opportunities." Rev. Graham added, "I’m grateful to God for each and every person who has been a part of Operation Christmas Child. There are so many stories of people who love God, love their neighbors, and love children around the world." Samaritan's Purse encourages everyone to join this mission of hope by visiting samaritanspurse.org to find a drop-off location near you or learn how to pack a shoebox.