First Lee Student to Deliver Operation Christmas Child Boxes to El Salvador

Lee student, Iris LaBine, has been selected as one of twenty-four students in the U.S. to join SPY (Samaritan’s Purse Youth) Teams. SPY Teams consist of large teams of 16-20 year olds from Canada, USA and Europe who travel together to undertake missions in developing countries.

Candidates are required to write a 750-1000 word essay on past involvement with Operation Christmas Child, provide two character references and introduce themselves to the review committee.

Iris will be traveling to El Salvador this December with over 70 other students to deliver the message of hope and God’s love to children in desperate situations with gift - filled shoe boxes.

Iris has been assembling Christmas boxes with her family and peers since she was in the first grade. “This opportunity is meaningful to me because after many years of assembling the boxes, I will finally be able to see the excitement of each child as they open their Christmas box. I also want to gain a better understanding of the impact of sharing a simple gift with a needy child,” said LaBine.

Iris is the daughter of David LaBine, a Lee University Physical Plant employee.