“I got a Barbie! I can’t believe it,” said one first grade girl, squealing as she opened her Shoebox Christmas gift. “Look, look, it's all mine. Thank you, God!” The buzz of joy and excitement filled the room of 15 first graders at Enemy Swim Day School who had just received Shoebox Christmas gifts.

Photo: A first grade student at Enemy Swim Day School shows everyone the Barbie she received in her Shoebox Christmas gift.

On the reservation, up to 70 percent of the children would not get a Christmas gift if not for the Shoebox Christmas Gift program and the generosity of the people who donate to this wonderful program. Each year, Mike and Libby Flowers of the Spirit Lake Ministry Center coordinate the efforts of churches and individuals who donate to Shoebox Christmas.

Over 6,000 gifts were distributed to children across the reservations in Minnesota, North Dakota and South Dakota. In South Dakota the Crow Creek and Pine Ridge reservations and the Enemy Swim School near Sisseton received gifts. In North Dakota the Spirit Lake Nation and the Turtle Mountain reservations received gifts. In Minnesota the Red Lake Reservation received gifts. Several local agencies and churches in all three states also received gifts.

“It is so inspiring be part of Shoebox Christmas,” said Carolyn Fowler, Shoebox Christmas chair from North Highland United Methodist Church in Aberdeen, South Dakota. Each year North Highland UMC collects, sorts and re-packs Shoebox Christmas gifts from area churches and brings them to Enemy Swim Day School near Waubay, South Dakota. The day before Christmas vacation from school begins, a team of volunteers from the church shows up with a trailer full of gifts, one for each child at the school, and hands the gifts out in the classrooms.

Photo: Carol Fowler and Brenda Weishaar, volunteers from Aberdeen North Highland UMC, sort through Shoebox Christmas gifts for distribution at a classroom at Enemy Swim Day School.

“We have been blessed to come here and see the smiles and joy on the faces,” said Pastor Lou Whitmer, North Highland UMC.  “We work in partnership with the school to give an age-appropriate, meaningful gift to each child. We love working with Enemy Swim; it is has been a great experience for the church and the school.”

Over 300 Christmas shoeboxes were packed with hope, joy, peace and love for students at American Horse School in Allen, South Dakota. Knollwood Heights United Methodist Church, with support from Rapid City First United Methodist Church, collected and prepared the individual gifts for each age group of children. The relationship with American Horse School began many years ago. “It is a big effort,” said Pastor Sharla McCaskell, Knollwood Heights UMC. “We are thankful for all who make this project possible. It takes a lot of volunteers and generous hearts.”

Shoebox Christmas starts months before December and Christmas arrive. Churches and individuals can build and collect items for Shoebox Christmas gifts anytime of the year.  Each fall shoebox Christmas gifts are collected at a central distribution place.  Then each box is checked to insure that the items, label and packaging all go together.

Each shoebox is wrapped in Christmas paper; the box and lid wrapped separate, packed with love and the story of the birth of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Then volunteers and donors add a few age appropriate items for a child, some candy, a winter hat, mittens or gloves, and place a rubber band around the box. On the top of each box is a label with the age group and gender of the child who will receive the box. Shoebox Christmas gifts are created for the following age groups: infant, toddler, 3-5 years of age, 6-8 years of age, 9-12 years of age, 13 years and up.  The new toys, candy and hats and gloves or mittens in the boxes bring enormous joy to thousands of grateful children.

Photo:  A smile from a first grade student at Enemy Swim Day School as she shows off the Barbie she received in her Shoebox Christmas gift.

"All of the effort is worth it, when you see the smiles," said Brenda Weishaar, volunteer from North Highland UMC. "I wish everyone could experience the joy we see today."