NORTH DAKOTA (KXNET) — Millions of children around the world will receive a Christmas gift this year, thanks to the efforts of volunteers with Operation Christmas Child. The organization, led by Samaritan’s Purse, packs shoeboxes with toys, school supplies, and personal care items to be sent overseas. Each year, volunteers across the country work together to fill millions of shoeboxes, ensuring that children in need have a special gift for the holidays. In North Dakota alone, volunteers packed more than 10,000 shoeboxes this year, including 7,500 from the state’s capital city. Central Drop-Off team leader and long-time volunteer Chuck Curtiss has been involved with the project for 20 years. He sees it as a way to give back and share the good news of Jesus Christ with children around the world. “I just think it's a way that I can help out kids all over the world and just kind of serve where I'm gifted, and let those kids hear about the good news of Jesus Christ,” Curtiss said. Curtiss shared a story about meeting a young lady in Ukraine who had received a shoebox gift years ago while living in an orphanage. She returned to the country to thank the volunteers, explaining how the gift had given her hope during a difficult time. Biggest financial fears of North Dakota parents on Christmas While drop-off locations have already closed for the season, there is still an opportunity to help. Volunteers can build a shoebox online, including a donation that covers the cost of the supplies and transportation to deliver the gifts. Since its inception over 30 years ago, Operation Christmas Child has delivered shoeboxes to millions of children in more than 100 countries. The project’s work continues year-round, as these boxes are transported to children in tough places — some even reaching remote areas by camel or canoe. As Curtiss explained, the shoeboxes are not always flown to their destinations. “They're pretty much put in cargo," he said. "A lot of them are put in cargo containers and brought via ship to a port and then offloaded and then transported. And on the website, you can see a lot of different ways that they transport them. They're done by canoe, by camel, you name it." Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now Today's Top Stories SIGN UP NOW