Annual Shoebox Packing Party Unites Community to Prepare Over 15,000 Gifts for Children Worldwide

The annual Shoebox Packing Party organized by Lion Wholesale at Remnant Ministries on November 8, 2025, brought together 535 volunteers who prepared 15,519 Operation Christmas Child shoeboxes over six hours. Families, church groups, schools, and individuals from across Southern Nevada participated in this event that has become a tradition for both the church and the children's wholesale toy company. Each shoebox contains gifts alongside religious messages intended for children worldwide.

Sandy Ludwick, Co-Owner of Lion Wholesale, expressed gratitude for the volunteers' efforts, stating that more than fifteen thousand children would receive the message that Jesus loves them and that they matter. The event reflects Lion Wholesale's mission to serve others and create global impact through community engagement. Broad community support contributed to the day's success, with SOS Radio providing worship music and local restaurants Cactus Jacks Outlaw Grill and Slanging Tacos supplying meals for volunteers.

A fleet of trailers loaded with the colorful shoeboxes departed the church that evening, beginning their journey to children in need internationally. For those unable to attend, Lion Wholesale encourages participation in next year's event and ongoing support through purchasing toys via their online store. The company emphasizes that these shoeboxes do more than entertain—they demonstrate religious love to children through carefully selected gifts.

The significance of this event extends beyond the immediate charitable act, highlighting how sustained community traditions can mobilize hundreds of participants toward a common humanitarian goal. The packing party represents a tangible expression of religious outreach through material generosity, with each shoebox serving as a vehicle for spiritual messages alongside practical gifts. This model of community-based international aid demonstrates how local volunteer efforts can scale to impact thousands of children across geographical boundaries.

Organizers note that such events create meaningful connections between volunteers and the recipients of their generosity, fostering a sense of global community responsibility. The involvement of diverse participants—from families to church groups and schools—underscores the inclusive nature of this charitable tradition. The logistical achievement of preparing over fifteen thousand packages in a single day showcases the efficiency possible when community resources align behind a well-organized humanitarian initiative.

This annual event continues to grow in both participation and output, suggesting increasing community investment in this form of international outreach. The shoeboxes' journey from local assembly to international distribution represents a physical manifestation of goodwill crossing cultural and national divides. Such initiatives provide volunteers with direct, hands-on opportunities to contribute to global charitable efforts while strengthening local community bonds through shared purpose and collaborative action.