Operation Shoebox

A Project of Our Iron Men Ministry

In the Fall of 2008. we ventured into a project called Operation Shoebox, which is designed to encourage and remind our soldiers in active duty we support and pray for them. We began by adopting two soldiers serving in Iraq with a commitment to send a box of snacks and personal supplies to them every month during their tour of duty.

As word spread, people began calling wanting to get involved. Since that time we have grown to include students from area high schools, groups at retirement homes, as well as businesses, and individuals gathering up donated items to be sent. Perhaps you know a soldier who is serving in either Iraq or Afghanistan who would be encouraged by such a package. You can send up to 70 pounds of goods for just over $11 through Operation Shoebox.

We have since adopted nearly twenty soldiers serving in either Iraq or Afghanistan. We are sending letters and some rather weighty boxes to them each month. Correspondence from some of the soldiers gives us a glimpse of the challenge and risk they face daily on behalf of the American people as well as the significant encouragement their fellow soldiers receive as they share together the contents of their box.

Within the past few months we have had 5 soldiers return home safely. These have been replaced with new heroes. Currently all of the men and women we support are from the Chattanooga area. As we meet those who are about to be deployed, or the family members of those already serving, we make a commitment to consistently pray for them. The packed boxes we send are just a simple reminder of our support through a spiritual covering.

We have also been given great opportunities to travel to Fort Campbell to meet with and participate in a reception for our returning heroes by providing significant amounts of specialty coffee donated by area Starbucks. Our involvement in Operation Shoebox is now expanding to other area Men’s ministries and churches who want to be involved.

We are very proud of our young men and women serving in the armed forces. Though we have never met most of them, we want to encourage these courageous young men and women in their sacrifice for this great nation and let them know they are not forgotten.

If you are interested in finding out more about how you can get involved, take a look at this list of the type of items they request and how to send them. To get involved, please contact us. We would be overjoyed to help you get started!