Baymonte Christian School collected 361 shoeboxes of hygiene supplies and toys that will travel around the world as part of Operation Christmas Child, a nationwide effort to help needy children.
“It was neat to see all the things that were in each of them,” said Principal Steve Patterson, mentioning toothpaste, soap, washcloths, toys and candy.
The boxes will go to Santa Cruz Bible Church and then to a distribution center in Los Angeles before they are shipped to boys and girls in developing nations.
The school filled more boxes than ever in the five or six years the school has participated, Patterson said. It surpassed its goal of 300 boxes, collecting nearly as many boxes as the 376 students at the school.
“I’m really proud of the kids and their parents — in a tough time and tough economy.”