Chords for Kids is getting ready for the holiday season by giving back to children in need.

The relatively new organization participated in its first box-packing party for Operation Christmas Child which sends shoeboxes full of toiletries, toys, and school supplies, to children all over the world.

Junior Mary Baze, early childhood education major, brought the idea to the organization after participating in the project at her former school.

“I came here and this organization had a lot to do with kids since we go out and serve kids by singing,” she said. “I brought up the idea to the officers, since I’m just a little member, and they loved the idea.”

While Santa Claus is prepping for the holiday season up north, his little helpers here on campus were able to send off 15 shoeboxes to children this year.

Drew Taylor said though the number might not seem like much, just one box can potentially change one kid’s life.

“The kids who are receiving these packages are probably going to be ecstatic,” he said. “I’ve watched some videos of kids receiving them in years past and it’s pretty emotional.”

Taylor, senior psychology major, said Chords for Kids is just doing what they can by sending off as many boxes as the organization can afford to.

Advertising for Operation Christmas Child is something the organization hopes to improve in years to come.

Senior J.B. Martin said he has high hopes for the organization carrying out the project in the future.

“There’s a lot of enthusiasm behind this project, so we’re confident that people will be able to carry it out next year,” he said. “We kind of worked out all of the kinks this year in the experimental stage and it went really well.”

Next year, the members of Chords for Kids hope to beat the number of boxes sent off this year.

“Let’s double it,” he said. “If the campus gets involved then the possibilities are limitless.”