Students launch gift box campaign for children in need

Jessica Moore, left, and Rachel Emig, 

second-year medical students, show off gift 

boxes they are collecting to send to children 

around the world.

Two second-year medical students at the USA College of Medicine have launched a campaign to send gift boxes to children around the world during the holidays.

Jessica Moore of Huntsville and Rachel Emig of Tuscaloosa said they grew up participating in Operation Christmas Child, a project affiliated with the Samaritan’s Purse relief organization, at their hometown churches. “Around Christmas time every year, shoeboxes nationwide are packed with toys and simple gifts for children in need,” Moore said. “It is a tangible way to demonstrate God’s love to kids across the world.”

Moore and Emig, who became friends as undergraduates at Mississippi State University, wanted to create an Operation Christmas Child campaign at the USA College of Medicine, and invite faculty and fellow students to join. “Rachel and I grew up packing Christmas shoeboxes and find great joy in it,” she said.

The students reached out to the Christian Medical Ministry of South Alabama for help in organizing the campaign. It will run through Nov. 1.

There are three ways for faculty, staff and students to participate:

1. Pack a shoebox. Boxes can be picked up at the Office of Student Affairs in the Medical Sciences Building. They can be packed with approved items and returned to the pickup location.
2. Donate items online through the Amazon wish list. 
3. Make a monetary donation. Donations will go toward Amazon wish list items and shipping the boxes. A $9 donation covers the cost of shipping for one box. Participants can donate via Venmo to @jmariem24 or @RachelEmig.

For more information, email Jessica Moore at jmm2022@jagmail.southalabama.edu or Rachel Emig at ree2021@jagmail.southalabama.edu.