Luis Gonzalez grew up in Panama City, Panama, in the ghetto, raised by a single mother. They lived in a small house with dirt floors.“When I was about to enter my first year of school, my family didn’t have the money to buy school supplies,” said Gonzalez, whose situation was not uncommon for children living in poverty. Many cannot attend unless they have the necessary supplies.Gonzalez was invited to an event in his community where Samaritan’s Purse distributed gift-filled shoeboxes through its Operation Christmas Child project. Opening his shoebox, Gonzalez found it filled with school supplies, as well as toys and hygiene items. He was thrilled.“I am committed to sharing my story to encourage others to pack shoebox gifts,” said Gonzalez. “I know from personal experience the impact it can have on a child and the difference it can make in their life.”This month, Warren County families and area volunteers, like Linda Holeman, are taking advantage of back-to-school sales to stock up on school supplies for Operation Christmas Child shoebox gifts. They understand that for children like Gonzalez, these simple supplies are critical to their ability to attend school. These shoeboxes not only bring practical assistance, but also joy and hope to these children, many of whom have never received a gift.“We take so many of these items for granted,” said a mother of three school-aged children in St. Charles.“Shopping for school supplies for children in need is a great way that I can teach my kids about the importance of giving to others. They love picking out items for children their own age even more than choosing their own supplies.”Since 1993, Operation Christmas Child has delivered gift-filled shoeboxes to more than 124 million children in more than 150 countries and territories. In 2015, Operation Christmas Child hopes to collect enough shoebox gifts to reach another 11 million children.Warren County residents can help in three different ways:• Pack a shoebox gift — Fill shoeboxes with a “wow” item, like a doll or soccer ball, and other fun toys, school supplies, hygiene items and notes of encouragement or visit samaritanspurse.org/occ to build a shoebox online. The shoebox gift may be the first gift a child has ever received.• Sign up to volunteer — Volunteer opportunities are available in Warren County. For more information, call 314-291-0983 or visit samaritanspurse.org/occ.• Spread the word — Enlist individuals, families and groups to take part in creating shoebox gifts.Operation Christmas Child is a project of Samaritan’s Purse, an international Christian relief and evangelism organization headed by Franklin Graham.For more information on how to participate in Operation Christmas Child, call 314-291-0983 or visit samaritanspurse.org/occ.Samaritan’s Purse