Former Russian Orphan, Oksana Nelson to Share How a Simple Shoe Box Gift Changed Her Life

Oksana Nelson will share how an Operation Christmas Child shoe box gift changed her life as a young girl in Russia. For ten years of her life, Nelson lived in a Russian orphanage on the outskirts of Moscow.

“Looking back, I recognize that in the box were simple
items like a tooth brush and toothpaste.  But back then, when I had nothing to call my own, each item meant a lot to me.  And in my box was even a pair of socks; the first brand new clothing item I had ever owned."

“One thing I can say with confidence is that a shoe box
gift is not just a box.  I received a shoe box gift as a hopeless little girl, and it changed my life.  One shoe box gift equals one child, equals one life touched forever.  The more boxes we can pack and collect, the more children we can reach.  That's the power of a shoe box gift."

Our Redeemer Lutheran Church, 269 Main Rd. Aquebogue, NY 11931, will host a celebration event where Suffolk County residents will learn how to impact hurting children a world away with simple shoe box gifts this holiday season.  They will hear from Oksana Nelson, followed by a presentation by Regional Director, Gaye Newlun.

Operation Christmas Child, a project of international relief aid organization Samaritan’s Purse, headed by Franklin Graham, is the world’s largest Christmas project of its kind. This year, Operation Christmas Child expects to reach a milestone with more than 100 million children receiving shoe boxes since the first year of the project.

For more information on how to participate in Operation Christmas Child in the Northeast, call (518) 437-0690
or visit www.samaritanspurse.org/occ.  National Collection Week for gift-filled shoe boxes is Nov. 12-19, 2012.