Whiz Kids: To Celebrate Season, Soccer Team Sends Christmas Gifts to Impoverished Children

After finishing their season with an 8-2 record, the U9 girls Wings soccer team celebrated at a party where they made Christmas gifts for children who may not otherwise have any this year. 

The team of 10 girls filled two shoeboxes with gifts for the Operation Christmas Child Initiative, which sends them to third world countries and impoverished areas of the United States.

The Operation Christmas Child shoeboxes include a toy, an educational gift, a hygiene item, sweets and a personal note from the giver. The Wings made two boxes for girls, ages 5-9, Sammons said. 

"It's nice to help somebody once in awhile, or all the time," said Juliana Gonzalez, 8, a forward for the Wings who contributed toothbrushes to the gift boxes.

"We thought that maybe somebody at the other side of the world couldn't afford that," she said.

The Wings' goalkeeper, 9-year-old Kelsey Scott-Otis, contributed socks and lollipops to the gift boxes. "Some girls might like to have something sweet to eat and at night they won't have cold feet," she said. 

Jill Sammons, a parent who led the project, said the girls were caught up in the Operation Christmas Child Initiative. 

“Kids seem to get a lot out of it—it’s not just a donation. They really make a connection,” she said.

"They can visualize a child receiving this box. They select things to put in it that they'd enjoy. It's as personal as something like that can be."

Kelsey said she personally chose the pink princess socks and lollipops, items she said she would like if given to her.

"We're really excited someone else from another country—who wouldn't normally get presents—are going to get them," she said.

How to give to Operation Christmas Child:

• Wrap an empty shoebox. Wrap the lid separately and do not secure it to the box.
• Determine whether the gift will be for a boy or girl, and their age (2-4, 5-9 or 10-14). Print the appropriate label, mark the correct age category and tape it to the box.
• Fill it with gifts, such as toys, school supplies, hygiene items, candy and a personal note. 
• Include a $7 donation to cover shipping and other project costs. 
• Drop the box off at the nearest drop-off location during National Collection Week, Nov. 14-21, or send it to: Samaritan's Purse, Operation Christmas Child, 801 Bamboo Road, Boone, NC, 28607.

In the Chicago area, boxes can be dropped off at locations in West Chicago, Naperville, Bolingbrook, Melrose Park and St. Charles.

For locations, drop-off hours and more information on Operation Christmas Child, click here.