Over a Decade of Christmas Box ministry

Each year since 2014 Olive Branch Ministries and CBF Field Personnel, Scarlette Jasper have collected Christmas boxes to brighten the season for children in some of America’s poorest counties. Last Christmas season nearly 4,000 Christmas boxes collected by dedicated volunteers and distributed throughout Appalachia by Scarlette.

Boxes went to Pineknot Elementary in McCreary Co, KY, East Bernstadt in Laural Co, KY, Oneida Elementary in Scott Co, TN, and beyond in south central KY and east TN to children, teens, seniors, and families. The boxes are distributed through the school systems’ family resource centers. The directors of these centers know the children and their families.

The principal of Pine Knot Elementary School shared that these boxes may be the only gift some kids will get for Christmas. They include needed items and fun items like: $10 gift cards, toiletries, gloves, hats, markers, toys, Legos, books, hair accessories for children, teens, seniors and families.

Christmas 2024

As we reflect on this year’s Christmas Boxes for Appalachia initiative, we at Olive Branch Ministries are overwhelmed with gratitude for the outpouring of support from our partner churches and communities. This year, nearly 4,000 Christmas Boxes were lovingly packed and distributed, touching lives across at least 10 counties in Eastern Kentucky and Tennessee

The Christmas Boxes contained a variety of thoughtfully chosen items, but the ones that drew the most heartfelt gratitude were the boggans (hats) and gloves. Time and again, we received messages of thanks for these practical yet meaningful gifts, which not only provided warmth but also symbolized care and compassion during the cold winter months.

A Christmas Box Story

A young woman, a resident at Job Corps, approached the Job Corps office with tears streaming down her face. Earlier that day, the staff had distributed Christmas boxes provided by Olive Branch Ministries. These boxes, lovingly packed by partner churches, had first been given to the young women and then to the young men. As the office was preparing to close, the young woman returned, visibly upset. Concerned, the staff asked what was wrong.

Between sobs, she explained that her Christmas box contained a hat and gloves. To some, it might seem like a small or ordinary gift, but to her, it was deeply meaningful. She had asked her family for a hat and gloves for Christmas, as the cold weather had set in and she didn’t own any. However, her family either couldn’t or wouldn’t fulfill her request. Receiving the very items she longed for in her Christmas box left her overwhelmed with gratitude.

This touching moment highlights the mission of Olive Branch Ministries and its commitment to supporting Job Corps students. Many of these students come from challenging backgrounds. Some have no family at all, while others are estranged or not invited home for Christmas. For these young people, the Job Corps campus becomes more than a place to learn—it becomes a community and, often, a surrogate family.

The Christmas boxes provided by Olive Branch Ministries, made possible through the generosity of partner churches, are a way to remind these young people that they are seen, valued, and cared for. These gifts may seem modest, but for someone like this young woman, they can carry an immeasurable emotional weight, offering hope and warmth during what might otherwise feel like a lonely season.

Partners in Distribution

The success of this initiative was made possible by the collaboration of over 30 distribution partners, each playing a vital role in ensuring these boxes reached those in need. These partners included:

• Head Start programs
• Elementary, middle, and high schools
• Special needs classes
• Senior centers and nursing homes
• Residential facilities for the elderly and disabled
• Programs serving at-risk youth and young adults
• Sober living facilities
• Residential programs for individuals with mental health needs
• Individual families

Through these partnerships, we ensured that the Christmas spirit reached those who are often marginalized, bringing joy to individuals who might otherwise go without.

A Shared Achievement

Our mission at Olive Branch Ministries remains steadfast: to serve those who are marginalized and to bring light and hope into their lives. This year, the Christmas Boxes for Appalachia program exemplified that mission, extending love and community support to seniors, children, individuals in recovery, and families facing difficult circumstances.

This year’s success is a testament to the collective effort of our partner churches, donors, and distribution partners. Together, we brightened the holiday season for thousands of individuals across the Appalachian region of two states.

As we close the year, we celebrate this achievement and the continued support that makes it all possible. Thank you for sharing in our vision and for being a part of the difference we are making in Appalachia.