Student from Belize shares experience with 'Operation Christmas Child'

One woman is giving back to those in need after she received the same help years ago.

New at six -- every year the calvary chapel in chico collects shoe boxes full of gifts and gives them to children around the world.

Reporter kristian lopez met today with a student from belize who knows first hand how big of an impact "operation christmas child" can make.

Kimberly conserve/butte college student from belize: i was so shocked that people who didn't know us were giving these like putting in this time and efforts into sending these boxes for us.

Kimberly conserve, from belize was 9 years old - when she received her very first christmas gift from someone she had never met.

Kimberly conserve: that was the only gift i received that year.

Steve snow/area coordinator for operation christmas child: operation christmas child is a ministry for children, we take a shoe box gift to the countries where there are children who have maybe never had a gift or that are experiencing dramatic episodes.

The idea is to let people know that someone cares.

Kim moved to the united states just two years ago - both her and her brother received sponsorships from people in chico they had never met - so they could pursue a higher education.

Kristian: after kim moved to chico, she started attending church here at calvary chapel chico.

One day she was walking around and saw some boxes that looked familiar.

Kimberly: it blew my mind i was like this is where it happens.... steve: i saw this lady come in and she had a belize t-shirt on and i said excuse me are you from belize, and she said yeah and i asked her by chance did you receive a shoe box when you were a kid her comment was yes how do you know and i said i'm with operation christmas child and i know thats one of the countries we go to.

Now kim is giving back - knowing exactly what it was like to be on the receiving end.

Kimberly: so much joy that comes out of it to be able to know that this box in your hand is going to be in the hand of a child.

This could be the only gift they receive this christmas.

Kristian:the shoe boxes that are being packed here at calvary church in chico will reach children in 8 different countries.

In chico kristian lopez action news now coverage you can count on.

Kimberly is finishing up her last year at butte college - studying biology and nursing.

Today was the last day the church was accepting donations for operation christmas child this year.### we continue