Operation Christmas Child<\/a>, through the organization Samaritan’s Purse.<\/p>\nHowever, for Nelson Randolph and his wife Robin, it’s not just a holiday tradition.<\/p>\n
“My wife and I build shoeboxes year-round,” said Randolph.<\/p>\n
It’s something the Randolphs have been doing every year since 2007.<\/p>\n
“We built, I think, 1,500, and then we went to a couple other churches, and it was 3,500, and this year, if we stay healthy, we’ll probably break 45,000,” said Randolph.<\/p>\n
Inside each box are a bunch of goodies that mean a whole lot to children overseas.<\/p>\n
“Most of them have a notebook, a coloring book, crayons, some small toys like a matchbox car, a ball,” said Randolph.<\/p>\n
“I went to Kosovo with him twice to help hand out shoeboxes, and that was just such a beautiful honor to see his heart, and how it comes out for the children,” said Lynnette Dallmann, who has worked with the Randolphs for about 15 years.<\/p>\n
Now, shoebox by shoebox, they’ve reached an amazing milestone.<\/p>\n
“Half a million shoeboxes. That is amazing as to what Robin and Nelson have done over the years,” said Dallmann.<\/p>\n
“I don’t know that anybody has ever done it before, so it’s great. I mean it’s really great,” said Randolph.<\/p>\n
But it’s 500,000 and counting, because Randolph said he isn’t slowing down anytime soon.<\/p>\n
“It’s a milestone, but we have another one tomorrow down the road at another church, and two or three more next week,” said Randolph.<\/p>\n
\nCopyright 2026 Maranatha Broadcasting Co., Inc.. All Rights Reserved.\n<\/p>\n
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