A Tradition of Giving: Students Pack Joy Through Operation Christmas Child

Every November, students at Saint Thomas Episcopal come together for one of the campus’s most beloved service traditions: Operation Christmas Child, a nationwide project where volunteers fill shoeboxes with toys, hygiene items, and school supplies to be delivered to children in need around the world. What begins as a simple box becomes something much bigger, a message of hope.

This year, students from all divisions filled the Upper School Commons with colorful donations and contagious energy as they packed hundreds of shoeboxes. For many, it was an opportunity to step outside of their daily routines and focus on giving.

Upper School Headmaster Tim Wainwright reflected on the importance of the event. “It’s a great tradition that brings people together and gives back to people around the world,” he said. “Watching students, faculty, and families serve side by side is always a highlight of our year.”

For some Upper Schoolers, this year marked their first time participating. Eleventh grader Matthew Morris shared his experience: “I didn’t know what to expect at first, but it was actually really meaningful,” he said. “It made me think about how something small, like a toy or a notebook, can make a big difference for someone my age or younger. I’m definitely doing it again next year.”

Fellow junior Mina Carrier said the service event helped her feel more connected to her classmates. “Everyone was laughing, sorting items, and helping each other pack, and you could just feel that sense of community,” Mina said. “I loved knowing that these boxes are going to brighten a kid’s whole holiday.”

Throughout the day, students packed boxes filled with stuffed animals, crayons, coloring books, toothbrushes, puzzles, and handwritten notes of encouragement. Teachers and volunteers moved from table to table answering questions, checking box labels, and making sure each child receiving a shoebox got a thoughtful mix of items.

For many at Saint Thomas Episcopal, Operation Christmas Child reflects a deeper part of the school culture, one centered on compassion, gratitude, and serving others. Whether students were packing their first box or their tenth, the joy in the room was unmistakable.

As the final boxes were stacked and loaded for shipment, students lingered for photos, traded stories about the items they chose, and talked about how they hoped the children receiving them would feel. The tradition continues to grow each year, reminding the community that generosity doesn’t require grand gestures, just a willingness to care.