Operation Christmas Child At Lee University 2018
Photos by John David Clark, Photography Editor
Hundreds of Lee students filled Walker Arena on Nov. 12 for the annual Operation Christmas Child "Pack 'n' Stack" event, packing toys and other items into hundreds of shoeboxes to be distributed all over the world.
Students first gathered in the Conn Center, a change from previous years, to accommodate the larger freshman class. Director of First Year Programs Rochelle Mayberry conducted the crowd-favorite tacky Christmas sweater and Christmas costume contests before Vice President for Student Development Mike Hayes took the stage and offered his own Operation Christmas Child testimony.
After a prayer from Hayes, students transitioned to a festively decorated Walker Arena, which had been stocked with Christmas cookies, punch and hot chocolate. As in previous years, Santa and Mrs. Claus made an appearance, posing for photos with each Gateway class.
With Christmas music blaring, the freshmen and their Gateway instructors and Peer Leaders dove into their work, fulfilling a longstanding Lee tradition that impacts thousands of children and families all over the world.
