Samaritan’s Purse is a religious organization providing aid to people around the world. Since 1970, Samaritan’s purse has helped meet the needs of people who are victims of war, poverty, natural disasters, disease, and famine.

While volunteering, Michael Ross’s focus was on Samaritans Purses’ Mission: Operation Christmas Child. Michael’s role was to prepare and sort boxes filled with toys, school supplies and hygiene items that would be sent around the world for a child to open on Christmas. Michael’s group was able to complete around 290 boxes.

Here’s what Michael said about his time volunteering:

1. What impact were you hoping to make in your community during your Liift Day? My goal was to improve the lives as many people as I could in such a short amount of time, and I feel like I did that. The purpose of this event was to provide gifts to children in need during the Holidays.
2. What do you believe is your greatest strength and how did that help you in your volunteer opportunities? My greatest strength is helping people. I have always felt the obligation to give as much as I can to everyone in my life and it makes me happy when I am able to fulfill that obligation.
3. What was your key takeaway from this experience? My key takeaway is that I gained more insight into how I can make a difference, even if it is a small one, for many families around the world every year.

Since 1993, over 193 million children in more than 170 countries and territories have received a shoebox. The time Michael, and countless other volunteers across the United States, invested in this mission will guarantee that a child in another part of the world will wake up with the joy of receiving a gift on a very special day.

To see the journey of a shoebox gift created, visit this link here.