For the fifth consecutive year, the University of the Cumberlands (UC) Patriot Volleyball Team has decided to take on a project to spread the love of Jesus Christ all across the world during the Christmas season.

Since 2008, the volleyball team has sent about 150 boxes around the world and is looking forward to adding to that number this year by working with Operation Christmas Child, which is run through Franklin Graham's Samaritan's Purse.

Since 1993, over 95 countries have received shoe boxes. This organization has one mission: 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.

University of the Cumberlands Head Volleyball Coach Kara Clemenz commented, "This is an excellent opportunity for our team to join together to serve others literally across the globe. Christmas is more than gift giving/receiving and the shoeboxes demonstrate just that. The boxes are all delivered with the message of why Jesus came to earth and there is no greater gift! We really appreciate all of the donations we receive from members of the Cumberlands faculty, students, parents, insights classes, recruits, and other teams here on campus that makes this project such a success year after year!"

The Patriot Volleyball team is challenging everyone to take part in this wonderful experience and is encouraging donations to be made at their game on October 16^th. 

Shoe boxes are very easy to make and assemble. They include personal items, toys, school supplies, candy, etc. - to be shipped to a happy child millions of miles away.  A small donation of $7 would be greatly appreciated to help cover shipping and other project costs.

Not only are you glorifying God through your actions - but you are making a difference in the lives of young children all over the world during this special time of the year.

For more information on Franklin Graham's Operation Christmas Child, visit http://www.samaritanspurse.org/index.php/OCC/. 

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