The Taree Christian College student worked hard with classmates to help move thousands of Operation Christmas Child boxes in readiness for collection by truck this week.

A steady stream of students carried the boxes from Taree Christian College into Taree Baptist Church under the direction of Operation Christmas Child co-ordinator, Karen Reeman.

Also on hand to help was Amarah Budden and Noah Foakes and the year five students expressed delight in being part of the event.

"I've been doing it since kindergarten," said Amarah. "It makes feel lucky and privileged to be able to give presents."

"They (the children) are so joyful and they are so happy when they get them; it makes you feel good."

Noah adds that "it's great to be able to help out kids and their communities."

"It's amazing how they get so happy before they open it."

All Taree Christian College students watch an Operation Christmas Child presentation that shows children in some of the poorest communities in the world receiving the boxes. It is an important part of the education process and reveals that a child will get one box in their lifetime.

Last year the Manning Valley contributed more than 1600 boxes to Operation Christmas Child.

Taree Baptist Church in the grounds of Taree Christian College is the Manning Valley collection point and in recent weeks boxes have been coming from schools, community groups and individuals.

Final numbers are being counted but Karen thinks "it's exciting to be able to say it, but I think we have got more than last year more from the school and more from the community."

"I love watching the wall of boxes grow. I absolutely love it," Karen said.

"Operation Christmas Child is important because we are giving a special gift to a little person who gets nothing, and who sometimes may also be treated like nothing.

"This project is a way to show love and caring of them. How lovely for them to know that they've got somebody from some far away country who is thinking about them and thinks they're special.

"The children's reaction to the boxes just blows your mind. It's a really good lesson for our kids, as they don't realise how fortunate they are."

Operation Christmas Child is a national initiaitive and launches annually in July with boxes scheduled for collection in October/November.

To take part, people are given an empty shoebox where they can choose what age and gender of gifts they would like to fill it with. Each box contains an item that represents something to love; something for school; something to wear; something to play with; something for personal hygiene and something special.

Karen is hopeful that school and community support of Operation Christmas Child will continue to grow in the Manning Valley.

​ainslee.dennis@fairfaxmedia.com.au