CSU sets OCC packing goal to 7,000 boxes

By Hannah Gurley | October 29, 2020

Last year, the Charleston Southern University campus broke the national record for the most Operation Christmas Child shoe boxes packed by a university: 5,249 boxes. Photo by Richard Esposito

With the end of the fall semester in short range, students, faculty and staff sets sights on an exciting opportunity to give during the holiday season. Last year, the Charleston Southern University campus broke the national record for the most Operation Christmas Child shoe boxes packed by a university: 5,249 boxes.

CSU’s goal this year? 7,000.

“We are already off to a great start,” Laurie Diel, executive administrative assistant for the VP of Student Life, said. Diel helps lead the effort for the university and secured partnerships with area companies to donate to the cause.

After applying to be the recipient of the Lucky Pet Project at PetSmart, Diel reported that all five local stores selected CSU – with 3,000 stuffed animals received so far.

Others from the community have also chipped in. Irv Batten, CSU alumnus and CSU baseball Hall of Fame member, currently serves as the Charleston Bridge Run Race Director and donated 10,000 event T-shirts.

As of October 29, CSU’s Operation Christmas Child project launched on campus with shoeboxes delivered to office desks and outside of dorm room doors. With a goal of 7,000 boxes, every student and employee is encouraged to pack a shoebox.

Employees will engage in friendly competition to reach the campus goal. The winning employee will receive free tickets to Dollywood that they can use anytime in 2021. The winning staff department will receive a full day off with pay and winning academic department will receive $500 in their professional development budget.

CSU Collection Day will be November 4 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Laurie Diel said that the hope is the campus will reach the halfway point of CSU’s 7,000-box goal.

The Sweet 16 OCC Packing Party will be November 12. Due to COVID precautions, the party will look a little different this year. Students and employees will start packing around noon and will continue to pack until 8 or 9 p.m. to allow for social distancing.

“What a great way to end the semester and what a great way to say once again you don’t have to be a big school to do big things,” Diel said. “God is certainly bigger than any pandemic. You just have to have faith in the promise that He will do immeasurably more than we can ever imagine.”

To donate to CSU’s Operation Christmas Child shoebox goal, visit charlestonsouthern.edu/occ.