By Laura Homan
Most of the Morningside community has seen the posters around campus declaring the need for shoeboxes that Alpha Lambda Delta (ALD) is collecting. The most common response is probably: What is that for?

ALD is a freshmen women’s honor society. They are collecting filled shoeboxes for “Operation Christmas Child” in connection to the organization Samaritan’s Purse. These shoeboxes are filled with small gifts and personal hygiene items and then sent to needy, impoverished children across the nation as Christmas presents.

If anyone is interested in donating, pick up a pamphlet from the Lewis Hall front desk. All donations are due to the Lewis Hall front desk by November 20.

Whitney Postma, ALD Vice President, commented on the importance of the program saying, “I think it’s important because we take so many things for granted, and giving time and money to someone else in need is a really good way to help.”

Helping is rather simple. First, choose a shoebox and wrap the box with the lid separate. Wrapping the box is not required but a simple way to add to the festive nature of the gift. Then, choose which gender the box will be for: boy or girl, and an age range: 2-4, 5-9, or 10-14 years old.

Next, fill the box with small gifts, examples and ideas are included in the informational pamphlet. Also, there is a list of items to avoid including in the box, such as chocolate. Finally, drop off the box to the assigned location along with $7, to pay for the shipping costs of the box.

If a donation of money would be a better donation to some, there are collections being taken in the admissions office in Lewis Hall. The money gathered here will be put toward additional boxes and the shipping costs for them that members of ALD will put together for donation.

So far, the event has been well received by the Morningside community. “I didn’t expect this big of a turn out, but we’re running out of pamphlets,” said Postma. “Don’t worry though; I’ll be printing more soon.”

If this chance to help others has passed by but you’d still like to make a donation to the cause, visit http://www.samaritanspurse.org/ezgive to give a donation online to the organization. (Nov. 12)