Hurricane Victims "Pay It Forward" toHellp Millions of Hurting Kids Overseas

BOONE, N.C. -- In the wake of Hurricane Katrina, families along the Gulf Coast have a newfound understanding of fear and suffering, as well as compassion. That new perspective is fueling their spirit of giving, as they demonstrate to the rest of the world what it means to "pay it forward."

"When you experience something like this, you realize what's really important -- people," says Stacey Johnson, whose home outside of Beaumont, Texas, was nearly totaled by Katrina. Despite their own personal loss, Johnson's family is participating in Operation Christmas Child -- the world's largest Christmas project -- by filling shoe boxes with toys, school supplies, candy, necessity items and notes of encouragement for hurting children throughout the world.

This year, Operation Christmas Child will hand-deliver an estimated 7.8 million gift-filled shoe boxes to children in more than 90 countries suffering from natural disaster, disease, war, terrorism, poverty and famine.

"Katrina has taken a major toll on this country, but the storm didn't wipe out America's desire to help others who are suffering," says Franklin Graham, head of Operation Christmas Child -- a project of international relief organization Samaritan's Purse, which has been providing aid to hurricane-devastated neighborhoods along the Gulf Coast. "It's been inspiring to see those who have lost almost everything still give what they can, and those who have given so much to their American neighbors still want to reach out to children hurting on the other side of the world," he says. "To me that's what America is all about."

For more information on how to participate in Operation Christmas Child, call 800.353.5949 or visit www.samaritanspurse.org.

National Collection Week is Nov. 14-21, but shoe box gifts are collected year-round.