Volunteers in Mathews packed 7,152 shoebox gifts this year to be sent to children around the world through Operation Christmas Child, a project of Samaritan’s Purse. The boxes were packed throughout the year and shipped during the Thanksgiving and Christmas season. They are filled with school supplies, hygiene items, toys, shoes and clothing and go to children in over 100 countries. The shoeboxes are used for evangelism to teach children about Jesus. Amy Ashberry, who coordinates the effort, collects and packs shoeboxes and donations year-round. “We are always in need of empty shoeboxes, which can be dropped off on the school bus at 6820 Buckley Hall Road any day of the year,” she said. Shown at the bus are, front row (kneeling and kids standing), Nikki Pollard, Lisa McCann, Judah Pollard, Alex Benitez, Myra Pollard, Jac Worth, Anastasia Benitez, Ava Pollard; back row, Robin Rose, Polly Hayes, Joe Hayes, William Whybrew, Becky Ethington, Roy Ethington, Dave Worth, Dan Frantz, Al Benite...