This year, AHS DECA and Marketing classes filled shoe boxes with toys, books, and gifts to send to children in need through the Operation Christmas Child Organization. 

Operation Christmas Child is a donation system for the holiday season that provides children in poverty-stricken countries a chance at having a joyful Christmas. It is run by Samaritan’s Purse International Relief Organization. Their website says, “Samaritan’s Purse has helped meet needs of people who are victims of war, poverty, natural disasters, disease, and famine…”

Arrowhead students were able to choose whether the box would be given to a boy or girl, and what age range of the child. The age ranges were from two to four, five to nine, or ten to fourteen-years-old. Depending on the gender and age selected, the boxes would then be filled with items that children of the age and gender would generally like. 

Junior Ella Schieble, a DECA leadership team member, says an estimated 138 boxes were filled and donated by Arrowhead students. 

Samaritan’s Purse’s website explained some of the important things to include, when filling a box. They suggested a “wow” item like a stuffed animal, doll, or ball. Then, they suggested the rest of the the box be filled with things like personal hygiene items, other small toys, and school supplies. 

Students brought their boxes to a drop-off location during National Collection Week, November 16-23, 2020, and it was sent off.

According to AHS junior, Reagan Oestreich, “This is such a great way to give back, especially during the holiday season. I’ve always loved filling the boxes and it makes it even better to know that it will make a child happy this Christmas.”