July 16, 2009 at 7:32 a.m.
She used to get Shoebox Gifts, now she assembles shoeboxes for others
She used to get Shoebox Gifts, now she assembles shoeboxes for others
Luba's face lights up when asked about being a "full circle" participant in Operation Christmas Child, a program of the Christian relief organization Samaritan's Purse.
Full circle means that as an orphan in Russia, Luba received these very same Operation Christmas Child shoeboxes in her early years. Now she feels just as honored and excited getting to be involved in shoebox-gifting at the other end.
Greg and Laura Ferguson have three girls originally from Russia, Anna, Anastasia and Luba. Anna is pitching in too, her upcoming birthday party was going to revolve around putting Operation Christmas Child shoeboxes together.
Luba came to live in Chisago City when she was 11-years-old. She recalls when the kids residing at her orphange (population 350) would be brought together in groups in one room, and how special she felt when she got a shoebox.
Candy was one of Luba's shoebox favorites, and socks were cherished. "They keep you warm," she says. Sporting goods are always a huge hit. Boys would be thrilled to receive a deflated soccer ball and a small handpump, in their shoebox. Personal soaps were also appreciated.
Luba, who has two years left at Chisago Lakes High School, puts Operation Christmas Child shoeboxes together for shipping, at an "assembly line" in the Cities.
She will inspect wrapped boxes that are donated, but must be double-checked. She said she never tires of seeing what people have tucked inside the shoeboxes. Some people send photos and a personal note, others find such sweet gift items. Mostly Luba is just checking for any objects that wouldn't be appropriate. Then the boxes are re-wrapped and sent to distribution sites.
A special assembly was organized in St. Paul on the state capitol grounds recently. The boxes this month were off to Panama. Luba's friend from the orphanage Vladimir "Ted" was travelling with Samaritan's Purse Youth (SPY) to do renovations on a building in the San Blas Islands of Panama and assist at a children's home, Amigos de Metro.
Ted distributed gift shoeboxes assembled by Luba and Chisago Lakes exchange student, Candy, who is from Taiwan. She came along to the state capitol to help. (See photo.) Ted, who Luba sees regularly, lives in Maple Lake, MN. He was interviewed by WCCO radio via phone from Panama in a live broadcast last week, said Luba's mother Laura.
Since 1993 Operation Christmas Child has hand delivered more than 69 million shoebox gifts. With enthusiastic volunteers like Luba, who have come full circle, this program holds no prospect of letting up. Luba said she hopes to travel to a distribution site next year. She'll be organizing a local shoebox donation and assembly effort which helps qualify her to travel. Watch for details in the fall. In the meantime keep your eyes open for items for a shoebox of your own.
National Collection Week is November 16-23. Visit www.samaritanspurse.org.
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