They’ll never meet. Most will never know who put in the time, effort and money to make it happen.

But they’ll be loved.

That’s one of the reasons Carrie Storm of Kingfisher volunteers annually with Operation Christmas Child.

Storm spoke with Kingfisher Lions Club members Thursday about the mission, which is a part of Samaritan’s Purse International Relief.

Samaritan’s Purse provides worldwide aid to victims of war and disaster.

Franklin Graham serves as its president.

Operation Christmas Child was born in 1993 and was originally a one-time program set up to provide shoeboxes of gifts for children in war-torn Bosnia.

However, it became an annual event.

Since 1993, more than 188 million children in more than 170 countries and territories have received a shoebox through the operation.

Shoeboxes can include necessities such as non-liquid hygiene items and school supplies.

But it can also include accessories such as socks, hats, sunglasses, flashlights, jewelry, etc.

On top of that, those donating are also asked to pack small toys and a “wow” item such as a doll, stuffed animal, a deflated soccer ball and air pump, musical instruments and, of course, shoes.

Samaritan’s Purse also includes a book for children in each box in order to help spread the gospel.

“Every box is an opportunity to reach a child with the gospel of Jesus Christ,” Graham says on the organization’s website.

Boxes are collected locally at First Baptist Church in Kingfisher, then taken to a bigger distribution center in Dallas before they are shipped to all points of the globe.

Storm works the local collection center and has also worked at the larger center in Dallas along with her husband, Carl, and their five children.

Before getting into hands of children, the boxes of gifts are sent to local churches worldwide

“That’s one of my favorite parts,” Storm said. “This is actually helping the local churches wherever they’re sent to spread the gospel.

“I enjoy the idea that it’s not just the gifts the children are getting. It’s the gospel presentation and the connection with their local church.”

Samaritan’s Purse provides shoeboxes, but any shoebox is accepted.

For more information on what specifically should/ can/cannot be packed, visit samaritanspurse.org/occ.

This is national collection week (Nov. 15-22) for Operation Christmas Child.

Drop-off times at FBC (1340 S. 13th St. in Kingfisher) are 9-11 a.m. Monday; 5-7 p.m. Tuesday; 9-11 a.m. Wednesday; 5-7 p.m. Thursday; 9-11 a.m Friday; 9 a.m.-noon Saturday; 4-6 p.m. Sunday; and 8:30-10:30 a.m. Monday, Nov. 22.

A $9 donation is also requested to help cover costs of the materials and shipping.

To help volunteer at the collection sites, contact the Storm family.

Most importantly, said Storm, give if you can.

“Let the child know they’re loved by someone in this world,” she said.