With a lofty goal of packing and distributing 12 million shoeboxes this year, Operation Christmas Child (OCC) continues the mission of sharing God’s love at Christmastime with children around the world. Cissie Graham Lynch, daughter of Franklin Graham, recently sat down with Fox and Friends to explain the organization’s global impact and how local families can get involved.
“Y’all have done so much to help the people of North Carolina and all over the world, really,” said Fox and Friends anchor Ainsley Earhart.
OCC Provides a ‘Fun and Easy’ Way To Help Children Around the World
As part of their 12 Days of Giving specials, Fox and Friends showcased the work of Samaritan’s Purse and Operation Christmas Child (OCC). Now serving more than 100 countries—many “hard-to-reach” places—OCC makes it easier for local families to get involved in a variety of ways.
For more than 30 years, OCC has promoted, packed, shipped, and distributed millions of shoeboxes at Christmastime. Filled with small toys, candy, school supplies, and personal hygiene items, these boxes bring the delight of Christmas to children in need around the world.
Lynch, daughter of OCC President Franklin Graham, was invited to share more about the program with Fox and Friends. “There are so many children around the world who have never received a gift,” said Lynch.
As parents are looking for ways to give back with their children, OCC recognizes that it can be hard for busy families to make one more trip to the store. The organization intentionally makes the process “fun and easy,” according to Lynch.
“You can do it right from your kitchen table with your kids,” explained Lynch. Starting at samaritanspurse.org, families can personalize their gift by selecting “Build a Shoebox Online.” Families can choose sports balls, pencils, toothbrushes, plush toys, and a variety of options based on the gender and age of the child.
Busy people can also opt for OCC to fill the shoebox for them and skip even further steps. With any box, you’re able to add a custom message to the child and upload a photo of yourself or your family.
Lynch quoted her father and president of OCC, Franklin Graham, in saying the most important thing is prayer. Everyone can pack the “power of prayer” in every box.
Graham shared the interview on his own X/Twitter account. “Thank you @ainsleyearhardt for having @CissieGLynch on @foxandfriends this morning to talk about @OCC_shoeboxes,” he wrote. “We are so thankful for everyone who packs a shoebox and prays!”
Thank you @ainsleyearhardt for having @CissieGLynch on @foxandfriends this morning to talk about @OCC_shoeboxes. We are so thankful for everyone who packs a shoebox and prays! pic.twitter.com/kWGr1PcZxY
— Franklin Graham (@Franklin_Graham) December 18, 2024
With well over 20,000 views and many comments, supporters of Franklin Graham and his ministry weren’t shy to share their opinions. Some shared their disagreement with Lynch’s political views, while others supported the work of OCC.
