A shoebox filled with gifts at Christmas brings heartfelt joyto the young children. ThisChristmas, thousands of children throughout the world will receive a box from Samaritan’s Purse’s Operation Christmas Child.

This year, Cedarville University student-athletes will pack more than 1,000 shoe boxes filled with toys, clothing, school supplies, and hygiene products that will be given to children during the Christmas season. The packing party will take place on Saturday, Nov. 23 during Cedarville's men's basketball game against Central State University. In addition, any student up to high school who brings a donation to the game in the Callan Athletic Center will be admitted free of charge. The boxes will ultimately be shipped to Samaritan's Purse in Boone, North Carolina.

Each year, hundreds of thousands of shoeboxes are packed through this international campaign that brings joy through gifts to those who receive a box.Cedarville University’sstudent-athletesbelieve strongly in thismission.

Thestudent-athlete advisory committee(SAAC) hopes this drive willconnectathletes,students,alumniand the community.

Two members of the SAAC and the men’s baseball team, Jensen Wagoner from Covington, Ohio,and Nathaniel Adkins from Bryan, Ohio,participatedin the drive last year and are calling on others to join them this year.

“Not onlydo these boxesensure children will receive a gift this Christmas,buteach box shares the gospel,” said Adkins.

“We have been given a lot more than other people in this world,and this is just one of the ways we have the opportunity to impact the lives of others,” shares Wagoner.

Cedarville University, a Baptist institution in southwest Ohio, offers undergraduate and graduate programs across arts, sciences, and professional fields. With 6,384 students, it ranks among Ohio's largest private universities and is recognized by the Wall Street Journal as being among the nation’s top three evangelical universities. Cedarville is also known for its vibrant Christian community, challenging academics, and high graduation and retention rates. Learn more atcedarville.edu.