Hope From the Skies: Latter-day Saints Join Operation Christmas Drop

For a decade, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has joined Operation Christmas Drop— the U.S. Department of Defense’s longest-running humanitarian airlift mission— as both a donor and an eager participant. The effort traces its roots to 1952, when the crew of a B-29 Superfortress spotted residents waving from the remote atoll of Kapingamarangi, 3,500 miles southwest of Hawaii. Moved by the moment and the spirit of Christmas, the airmen dropped a bundle of supplies by parachute. That small gesture of goodwill sparked a tradition that continues today. This year, 270 carefully prepared boxes will be delivered to 60 islands across Micronesia.

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Months before the C-130 aircraft take to the skies, volunteers begin building collection boxes and rallying support from local businesses, families, and community groups. One week before the drop, the work intensifies as Airmen, Soldiers, Sailors, Marines, civilians, and families unite to collect, sort, and pack donations. Members of the Church play an active role—both through official volunteer groups and individual families who sponsor their own boxes.

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On Friday, December 5, 2025, four senior missionary couples joined Barrigada Guam stake president Fredivic Nicerio, self-reliance and welfare manager Brett Child, and the Layton family—Grant, Taryn, and their children Rowan, Boden, and Dylan—to decorate and fill two of the four boxes sponsored by the Church. Inside the hangar at Andersen Air Force Base, the scene was vibrant and full of anticipation. Rows of boxes waited to be transformed into bright, sturdy parcels of hope. Christmas music played, laughter echoed, and even the most reserved participants found themselves reaching for markers, stickers, and paint. Throughout the morning, items became available to pack into each box--fishing gear, fins, school supplies, toys, food, soap, and much more!

President Nicerio reflected on the deeper purpose of the effort: “I hope that everyone feels the love that our Savior has for everyone, especially those on the remote islands. These drops help them know they are loved from people afar. This Christmas Drop is a way of helping others, and that is what our Savior, Jesus Christ, wants us to do.”

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Taryn Layton shared that this was their family’s second year participating. One of their favorite moments last year was watching footage of the drops and trying to spot their own box. “We loved seeing the faces of the people when the boxes were dropped,” she said. When asked why they felt it was important enough for their children to miss school,  Grant Layton added, “We love for our kids to gain an understanding of how people live on the islands and what their needs are. For them to know how important these supplies are to people’s lives is life changing for them.”

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The Egbert family has also made Operation Christmas Drop a tradition, sponsoring their own family box for the past two years. As she and her six children added bright decorations to their box, Sister Egbert reflected, “I love providing opportunities for them to see hands-on service. We had the opportunity to visit the island of Rota last January, and they met some of the recipients in person. It was fun for them to see it full circle. We hope this gives them a good foundation and example for giving service.” Fourteen-year-old Cambree added with a smile, “It’s pretty cool to watch the people on the islands get the boxes. I’m glad they can get these boxes because I know they don’t have much, so I’m glad they have the opportunity to get these supplies.”

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Behind the scenes, Elder and Sister Brooksby—senior humanitarian missionaries in the Micronesia Guam Mission—handled the crucial work of paperwork, coordination, and volunteer organization. Sister Brooksby estimated that the Church would have around 35 volunteers participating over the two-day project. When asked why participation matters, she explained, “When we do projects like this, we build bridges and relationships that open doors for the gospel. People recognize our name and see that we are doing good things, and then they are more receptive to listening. We are building friendships instead of being distant enemies.”

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After the loading and decorating days, a week of flights followed. Festive flight numbers were assigned—such as “Santa 52”—and for a full week, “Santa’s sleigh” took to the skies. C-130 cargo planes flew to remote islands in Yap, Pohnpei, Kosrae, Palau, and Chuuk, opened their rear doors, and released boxes slowed by the whoosh of attached parachutes. Islanders waited eagerly below, watching the sky and anticipating the surprises each box would bring.

The value of Operation Christmas Drop extends far beyond the supplies inside the boxes. On the island of Yap, Daniel—a counselor in the Yap Branch Presidency—shared how last year’s drop created a moment he will never forget. While most of his family has relocated to the United States, Daniel chose to remain on Yap, the island where he grew up. One December day, a friend invited him on a boat trip to the outer island of Fassari. Since it was the first stop, they arrived the next morning—just in time to learn that Operation Christmas Drop would be arriving that afternoon.

Daniel’s excitement was immediate. “I had always seen things like that in a movie, but that was the first time I got to witness it in person. It was the first time I had seen a parachute in real life,” he said. Flags had been placed in the sand to mark the drop zone, but strong currents shifted one of the markers directly in front of the home where Daniel stood. The pilots hit their target perfectly. He reached the box quickly, cut the cords, and lifted the parachute from the water to dry. He later brought it back to Yap’s main island, where he used it to create a shaded gathering place for friends and family—a space still used today.

Even the parachute cords are treasured. Islanders often repurpose them for their spear guns, since the strong, durable line helps them retrieve their spear after catching fish.

For many throughout Micronesia, Operation Christmas Drop brings practical help, joyful tradition, and small miracles—delivered one parachute at a time.