Liberty HealthShare expanded its annual charitable outreach in December by inviting members to participate alongside employees in Operation Christmas Child, Samaritan’s Purse’s international gift-giving program. Members and staff at the faith-based healthcare sharing ministry packed 96 shoeboxes filled with toys, school supplies, and hygiene items for children in underserved communities worldwide.
For years, employees at the Canton, Ohio, operations center assembled shoeboxes during the holiday season. December 2025 marked a shift as the ministry opened participation to its broader community through online donations and remote shoebox assembly, representing the first-time members could contribute directly to the charitable initiative.
“The Liberty HealthShare community is founded on a principal of self-sacrificial giving, a core tenant of the Gospel,” said Pastor Wes Humble, executive director of ministry, community relations, and events. “It is a true joy to live this mission out each year by packing shoeboxes for Operation Christmas Child.”
Operation Christmas Child has distributed more than 220 million shoebox gifts to children in over 170 countries since 1993. Volunteers pack boxes during National Collection Week each November, with each shoebox including age-appropriate gifts and Gospel literature translated into the recipient’s language.
Member Participation Expands Ministry’s Charitable Reach
Members funded 54 boxes through online donations and virtual packing options during the 2025 campaign, while staff assembled the remaining 42 boxes at the ministry’s headquarters. Such expansion reflects Liberty HealthShare’s broader philosophy of community engagement rooted in Christian principles. The ministry operates on voluntary monthly contributions from members who share eligible medical expenses within their community, a model distinct from commercial insurance structures.
Chief Executive Officer Dorsey Morrow has emphasized member engagement and community service throughout his tenure. Earlier in 2025, the organization launched the Sharing Hearts Fund for Pediatric Wellness, providing Stark County, Ohio families in need assistance for children’s medical expenses, including physical examinations, dental care, and vision screenings.
Participation in Operation Christmas Child aligns with Liberty HealthShare’s identity as a Christian healthcare sharing ministry. Founded in 1995 as the Gospel Light Mennonite Church Medical Aid Plan, the organization maintains approximately 160 team members and serves members across the United States.
Pastor Humble credited Sheila Clark-Williams and her team with driving exceptional participation levels among ministry staff. “Employees from across the ministry support this initiative with their donations, but Sheila Clark-Williams and her team always go above and beyond,” he noted. “Their commitment to doing all they can each Christmas season for children in need around the world is a testament to their love of Christ and commitment to service.”
Shoebox Contents Provide Practical and Spiritual Support
Operation Christmas Child guidelines specify that shoeboxes should include items such as toys, school supplies, hygiene products, and accessories appropriate for boys and girls in three age categories: 2-4 years, 5-9 years, and 10-14 years.
Each shoebox recipient also receives access to The Greatest Journey, a 12-lesson discipleship program offered in partnership with local churches. Through this curriculum, children learn foundational Christian beliefs.
Liberty HealthShare’s participation comes during a period of operational growth and program expansion. In November 2025, the ministry introduced a supplemental vision sharing program, complementing its existing supplemental dental sharing program and six medical cost-sharing options. Suggested monthly share amounts for medical cost-sharing programs range from $87 to $362 for individuals, with family options starting at $319 monthly.
Financial transparency remains central to the organization’s operations, with public access to annual audit reports, IRS Form 990 documents, and sharing guidelines. Liberty HealthShare holds both Candid’s 2025 GuideStar Gold Seal and Charity Navigator’s 4-Star rating, distinguishing it as the only healthcare sharing ministry in the United States with both recognitions.
Faith-Based Healthcare Model Extends to Community Service
Integration of charitable action with a core healthcare sharing mission characterizes Liberty HealthShare’s approach to community engagement. Staff members receive prayer requests distributed internally each Friday, pausing work to pray for members facing health challenges. Such spiritual practice extends beyond internal operations into external community service.
Samaritan’s Purse processes and distributes Operation Christmas Child shoeboxes through 110 collection centers across the United States. Volunteers at these facilities inspect each box, add age and gender labels, and prepare shipments to partner churches and organizations in recipient countries.
Children in regions where access to toys, school supplies, and basic necessities remains limited will receive the 96 shoeboxes assembled through Liberty HealthShare’s combined employee and member effort. Each recipient receives their shoebox during a community celebration that includes Gospel presentations and invitations to participate in The Greatest Journey discipleship program.
Liberty HealthShare expressed gratitude to participants for their contributions. Member donations, employee purchases, and volunteer assembly time collectively funded the expanded 2025 effort.
“I am proud of our work with these initiatives and pray that God opens even more doors,” Morrow said. “They speak to the quality and character of the people here in our ministry and clearly demonstrate the boundless generosity and mercy of God for all His children.”