Riverside, Calif. (Nov. 17, 2014) -- Nearly 700 California Baptist University students and staff participated Nov. 13 in the Operation Christmas Child's Packing Party.

Operation Christmas Child, sponsored by the Samaritan's Purse ministry organization, sends shoebox-sized gift boxes to children in need. The 600 boxes that were packed during the CBU event will be sent to children in Africa, Asia and South America. The participants chose whether to pack a gift box for a boy or girl, then moved from table to table choosing donated items, which included school supplies, toys and clothing.

"It is great to hear stories of those who have received boxes, and you know you are really making a difference in their lives," said Jayde Cordes, nursing senior, as she packed her box.

Other students had more personal reasons for participating.

"When I was in India over the summer for ISP, I met a girl who received a box through Operation Christmas Child," said Rebecca Rex, an early childhood studies sophomore. "She still had the box sitting in her living room. I got to see the impact it can make."

"This is one of my favorite fall events because it is for such a great cause, and it is rooted in a spirit of giving and being a part of something centered around God's love," said Julie Dobbins, Operation Christmas Child Committee head and event organizer. "There are a lot of people who helped with coordinating the event. It was really a campus-wide effort."

Members of Associated Students of California Baptist University, Office of Spiritual Life, the men's and women's soccer teams and the baseball team were among the volunteers.

 "This is my first time doing charity and it's great," said soccer player Daniel Westholm, a business freshman. "It's nice to help, especially when you do it with your friends. It can be fun and nice at the same time."

"It is not just a box. When a child gets a box of gifts, they also have the chance to hear about the gift of salvation and be a part of a discipleship program," Dobbins said. "It is the first time a lot of them have heard the gospel, so we get to be a small part of spreading God's word."