An article on a distribution in Zambia

A shoebox filled with a life changing gift

Updated: Monday, 27 May 2013, 11:37 AM EDT
Published : Monday, 27 May 2013, 1:20 AM EDT

FORT WAYNE, Ind. (WANE) - A Fort Wayne woman had the opportunity to hand-deliver special gifts to some deserving children.
Beverly Lubs has worked for Operation Christmas Child for more than eighteen years. She now serves as the collection center coordinator for Northeast Indiana. Operation Christmas Child provides shoeboxes full of toys, toiletries, candy and school supplies for children in impoverished and war-torn areas. In 2012, the organization provided over eight million shoeboxes to children in more than 100 countries.
Lubs was one of 24 volunteers nationwide to be chosen to go to Zambia for a week-long trip of missionary work and gift-giving.
"For most of these children, it is the only gift they've ever received in their lives, and maybe, the only gift they will ever receive," Lubs said.
Lubs said some of the items Americans might take for granted such as a bar of soap or even a pencil were the greatest hits with the children in Zambia.
She said one of the most touching moments was when a girl came up to her crying because she was unable to go to school because she didn't have socks for her uniform. However, when she opened her shoebox, there were three pairs of socks just her size.
"For some kids, the items in the shoebox mean they can go to school," Lubs said.
In one week, they delivered around 4,000 boxes to six different villages across the country, including a hospital for children who are HIV positive.
"Really more than anything, the box represents hope and love," Lubs said.

A shoebox filled with a life changing gift