FORT WORTH — As a young girl, Oksana Nelson experienced a deep loneliness while living in a Russian orphanage. Without a true family to call her own, the bare minimums she did have were usually shared amongst the orphans.
On a day Oksana will never forget, Americans arrived at the orphanage. The children’s excitement heightened when the visitors passed out shoe boxes to every child as their very own Christmas gift.
Along with socks, Dominoes and candy, the mint toothpaste was the item Oksana valued the most. She would no longer have to brush her teeth with the ill-tasting paste she shared with 20 other children.
Imprinted in her memory is the photo of the children who packed her box.
“I opened my box slowly and was overwhelmed by all of the gifts it held,” said Oksana. said “It was so impacting seeing the faces of the two children in the photo that cared about someone they didn’t even know on the other side of the world. A simple ‘thank-you’ for the love they sent me in that shoe box would never be enough.”
The following year, Oksana was adopted by an American family and now resides in Weatherford with three other adopted siblings. She attends college and works part-time at Reata Equine Hospital.
The first time her church, Greenwood Baptist Church, packed shoe boxes for Operation Christmas Child, Oksana told her pastor she was once a recipient. That launched the beginning of her speaking engagements in churches, groups and schools around the Dallas/Fort Worth area.
As the number of boxes continues to increase, Oksana sees her story making a difference in the hearts of her community and in the children receiving the shoe boxes.
Oksana encourages people to pack a shoe box. She says, “It helps the child realize that there is more to life than what he sees. Children in desperate situations have a limited view of life and often think that no one cares about them. A simple shoe box can leave a strong impact on a child.”
Along with speaking about this impact, Oksana and her family pack four boxes every year that are distributed to children suffering from natural disaster, disease, war, terrorism, famine and poverty.
This year, Operation Christmas Child, a project of international relief organization Samaritan’s Purse, will hand-deliver 8 million shoe box gifts for hurting kids in 130 countries.
Oksana hopes to someday return to Russia and deliver Operation Christmas Child shoe boxes to children facing similar circumstances of her past.
For more information on how to participate in Operation Christmas Child, or to invite Oksana Nelson to speak for an event or service, call (817) 595-2230 or visit www.samaritanspurse.org.
National Collection Week is Nov. 17-24; however, shoe box gifts are collected all year.
Local News
Related Photos
-
COURTESY PHOTO
Weatherford resident packs shoeboxes, speaks about impact of annual project
- Local News
-
-
Ramp relocation could open Willow Park development
-
Planning that special day
More than 15 countries around the world to celebrate the art of love via Valentine’s Day.
In Weatherford and Parker County, several businesses, restaurants and venues will open their doors beginning this weekend to commemorate the holiday.
“We’ve already started taking reservations and business has been pretty steady,” Fish Creek owner Joseph Lane said. “It’s always busy around this time of year.” - Man arrested for indecent exposure in Hudson Oaks
- School: parent OK with paddling
-
10 most romantic hotels in the U.S.
Valentine’s Day will be here soon, and a romantic getaway may be just what the heart needs. TripAdvisor has released its list of the 10 most romantic hotels in the country, based on travelers’ reviews about the beautiful scenery, friendly staffs and romantic amenities like hot tubs and fireplaces.
-
Flooding at issue in other subdivisions
While much attention has been given to the Briarwood subdivision, located off of Santa Fe Drive in Weatherford, during the last two months storm water drainage issues have occurred in additional subdivisions and concerned homeowners. This has been an ongoing issue for many areas throughout the city.
- Child paddled, abuse at school not substantiated
-
Wildlife volunteers needed
Like any other mother, Donna Robinson has pictures of her “babies” on her phone.
“Let me show you,” she said eagerly. “I’ve got lots of pictures of the kids.”
She scrolls through the photos — there’s one of a squirrel with milk on its mouth after a feeding. Oh, there’s a cute one of two tiny possums looking over her shoulder as she feeds another “baby.” Aww, there’s the group of four raccoons named after the Beatles: Ringo, Paul, George and John.
Ok. She’s not your “ordinary” mom. -
Water woes on floodplain in Weatherford
When Wendy Walling purchased her home in the Briarwood subdivision off of Sante Fe Drive in the mid-1990s, her son could easily jump from one side of the small creek behind the home to the other.
“My son was in fourth grade (when we moved in) and he could actually jump across the creek,” Walling said.
By 2007, however, Walling said the width of the creek had begun to expand.
“(The creek) can hold water now and before it never could,” Walling said. - DPS: Motorcyclists didn't see slowing truck
- More Local News Headlines
-
Obama Gives Education Waivers to 10 States
Giffords Aide to Run for Her Seat
LA School in Sex Abuse Scandal Reopens
Winter Slamming North Asia, Parts of Europe
Syrian Forces Renew Bombardment of Homs
States, Banks Reach Foreclosure-abuse Settlement
Raw Video: Italy's Mount Etna Bursts Into Life
Greeks March; Angry Despite Debt Deal
Raw Video: U.S. Pullout Celebration
Raw Video: Annual Empire State Building Run-Up
Man Killed in Courthouse Shootout
Air Force Airlines: Leaders Get Polished Service
Ga Girl Fights Off Kidnapper at Walmart
Nevada Highway Patrol, City Settle Beating Case
Homs Bombardment Continues, Global Outcry Grows
Raw Video: Dog Rescued From Icy Colo. Water
Skip the Coffee Cup and Inhale Your Caffeine Fix
