Lee University’s Dr. Lorinda Roberts recently traveled to Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, to distribute gift-filled shoeboxes through Operation Christmas Child, a project of the international relief organization Samaritan’s Purse. 

Roberts, vice president for student success at Lee, joined other Operation Christmas Child partners—ranging from box manufacturers to truck drivers—who were invited guests to witness firsthand the impact Samaritan’s Purse has on children, families, and communities where shoebox gifts are delivered.” 

“My favorite part of the trip was the pure joy of children as they received a simple gift,” Roberts said. “Things we often take for granted mean so much to them. There’s truly nothing like the joy and delight of a child.” 

While on the trip, the team visited several churches and saw local church leaders share the gospel with children. The boxes were given as a demonstration of God’s love. 

“One of the most memorable experiences was watching a little boy receive his first pair of socks,” Roberts said. “He shared that no one in his household had any socks and was so proud of his new pair he didn’t want to leave without them on his feet.” 

According to Roberts, witnessing this firsthand motivates her to pack even more boxes next year. The more boxes packed, the more children and families Samaritan’s Purse can impact. Lee University first-year students, instructors, and peer leaders have packed shoeboxes for Operation Christmas Child each fall for more than two decades, filling more than 48,000 to date. 

“It is a common misconception that children receive their shoeboxes as a Christmas gift,” Roberts said. “The Christmas emphasis is for the Americans who pack the boxes, since we are in a spirit of giving during the holiday season. Most children receive their shoebox as a normal gift, not necessarily a holiday one.” 

In addition to serving as a vice president, Roberts is an assistant professor of youth and family ministry in Lee’s School of Theology & Ministry. Her missions and outreach efforts include trips to Germany, France, Haiti, Jamaica, the Bahamas, Native American reservations, inner cities and the Church of God Home for Children. Roberts received her Doctor of Educational Ministry from Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, her Master of Arts from Pentecostal Theological Seminary, and her Bachelor of Science from Lee University. She is an ordained minister in the Church of God. 

Through Operation Christmas Child, Samaritan’s Purse provides local partners around the world with shoeboxes filled with small toys, hygiene items and school supplies to reach children in their own communities with the “Good News of Jesus Christ.” These simple gifts are shipped outside the United States to children affected by war, poverty, natural disasters, famine, and disease. The organization distributed more than 11 million boxes in 2024. 

For more information on how to partner on this project, contact Roberts at lroberts@leeuniversity.edu. 

For more information about Samaritan’s Purse or Operation Christmas Child, visit samaritanspurse.org/.