Gifts-4-Kids

Hi.  I am Grayson and I am 15 years old living in Los Angeles County, California.

Since I was 10 years old, I have been supporting a charity called Samaritan's Purse: Operation Child.  2015 will be my 6th year.  The purpose is to pack shoeboxes with toys, games, hygiene items, and school supplies.  These shoeboxes are then sent to kids in desperate need throughout the world.  This may be the only gift that a child has received or will receive in their childhood. 

Since being introduced to this charity in 2010, I have increased the number of shoeboxes from 2 in 2010 to 445 last year in 2014!  The total number to date is 1,005 shoebox gifts to children in countries including Nepal, Mongolia, Bangladesh, Indonesia, South Africa, Madagascar, Philippines and China.  Additionally, the number of families which have supported me has grown from 50 in 2011 to 175 in 2014.   

This year my goal is to pack 600 shoeboxes, which means I will need to raise around $10,000 for this year alone.   The more money I raise, the more shoebox gifts will be delivered.

Just so you know, it takes about $20 for me to pack one shoebox with $7 of that covering the mandatory shipping cost for each box.  In order to fundraise, I ask for donations door-to-door, speak at Rotary and Kiwanis Clubs, Boy Scout troops, and local high schools for support.  In the past, these sources have produced a sufficient amount of money to help me fill my boxes, but this year, with my increased goal, I also need YOUR help to offset my costs.  Also, maybe you will get the inspiration to start packing your own boxes after you support me and see what I do!

This is just a reminder that ALL the money I collect goes directly to putting a loving, joy-filled shoebox into the hands of a child.  When you help me, you ARE putting a shoebox in a child's hand and helping to spread love and hope.

I have reaped great benefits from packing these boxes.  Out of the 1,005 shoeboxes I have sent, I have received letters or e-mails back from about 20 of my shoebox recipients.  One of the kids is a boy who lives in Nepal whom I have now been corresponding with for over 2 years.  He and his family have been telling me of the  devastation that they have experienced because of the huge 7.8 magnitude earthquake which hit in April this year.  Currently, they are living out in the cold weather in a tent because all of the buildings are unstable.  It is their monsoon season now.  I have recently been sending things to them in Nepal to help their situation.  Last week I received a message of how grateful they are to know me because even though we live an ocean away from each other, I have helped to improve their situation.  They mention the hope that they feel as a result of people like me giving them gifts.

These types of stories help me to see the conditions that other people have to face in the world and allow me to appeciate how fortunate I am to be living in the good conditions I live in.  I feel very fortunate to be able to touch so many lives. 

If you have any questions about this project, please contact me and PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE HELP ME TO PUT A GIFT IN A CHILD'S HANDS AND TO SPREAD LOVE AND HOPE!!!!!


THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR YOUR SUPPORT!!!!