The University of the Cumberlands Patriot Volleyball team teamed up with Operation Christmas Child for the third consecutive year to help bring joy and hope to children around the world. The volleyball team collected shoe boxes and items to fill them during the month of October and November. 

"This is such a great team event for us," says Head Volleyball Coach Kara Clemenz.  "I love watching the girls working together to serve ‘the least of these' by showing God's love in such a practical way."  

Operation Christmas Child is a program ran through Franklin Graham's Samaritan's Purse. Last year alone, over eight million children received shoe boxes. Since 1993 the shoe boxes have been sent to over 130 different countries.

No matter the age, all individuals can be involved in filling a shoe box to show the true meaning of Christmas-Jesus Christ. The shoe box is the true expression of the love of God. The Operation Christmas Child mission is to demonstrate God's love in a tangible way to needy children around the world, and together with the local church worldwide, to share the Good News of Jesus Christ. The Patriot volleyball team believes firmly in this mission and greatly enjoys spending the end of each season contributing to the cause.

"Holding this event is an easy way to provide for someone else that is less fortune and be able to make a difference in their lives," said Holly Bronner (Cincinnati, OH).

Coach Clemenzwas especially thankful to the Cumberlands faculty, staff, Insights classes, women's basketball team, coaches of other teams, and members of Cornerstone Community Church for their support.   

Donations included complete shoeboxes ready to ship, monetary donations for shipping (each box costs $7), and bags of items to fill boxes. An Insight class was able to donate gift cards used to buy items to fill boxes. The women's basketball team donated all their empty shoeboxes for the volleyball team to fill. "We are so grateful for those individuals and groups who support our team and this outreach project," said Clemenz.   

The team decided to put their team picture, a personal note, and address in each box for the child that receives each box.  They know a response is highly unlikely, but still hope to get one back one day.

To find out the details about the Operation Christmas Child Shoebox mission visit the Samaritan's Purse site at

www.samaritanspurse.org/index.php/OCC/Pack_A_Shoe_Box/.

For more information on the volleyball team and Patriot athletics visit http://www.cumberlandspatriots.com/.