Megaplex Theatres team members from Logan to St. George have been gathering tiny toys, clothing, toothbrushes, and other small items to fit into dozens of shoebox-sized totes to deliver a little holiday magic to children in need. Rather than exchange coworker gifts, each year the Megaplex team dedicates the energy and resources towards a chosen service project. This year, the focus was Operation Christmas Child®.
“Children need hope.” Those three words are the driving mission behind Operation Christmas Child®, a faith based charity that gathers small boxes of toys and essentials and delivers them to children around the world.
The Megaplex Theatres connection with Operation Christmas Child started several years ago with Shelley Goodell, Megaplex eCommerce and Guest Services vice president.
“Operation Christmas Child is dear to my heart. My family began packing shoeboxes when my children were very little. They chose to give up birthday parties and instead invited their friends to pack shoeboxes. Larry H. Miller has always been supportive of service, especially personal service,” said Shelley Goodell, Megaplex Theatres vice president of eCommerce and Guest Service.
“When my youngest son was completing his Eagle Scout project, he did an Operation Christmas Child shoebox packing party in the events space at Jordan Commons. The community was invited and hundreds of boxes were packed. The media came and it was a fantastic experience. I can’t express how grateful I am to this organization for allowing and supporting these service opportunities,” said Shelley.
The spirit of giving has been contagious and spread from Megaplex team members to their families and beyond.
“Thank you for giving us an incredible opportunity to serve together as a family. The girls have asked if we can do this every year,” said Corina Nelson, Megaplex Theatres General Manager, The District.
Emily Nye, General Manager at the Megaplex Theatres at Thanksgiving Point, teaches a fitness class in her spare time. When Emily’s Pilates class learned of the shoebox project, they started filling boxes, too.