GOLDEN – The No. 12 Colorado School of Mines volleyball team took time off from studying and capturing the 2012 RMAC Championship to take part in Operation Christmas Child, which gives a shoebox full of gifts to children in need around the Holiday season.

Operation Christmas Child is a subsector of Samaritan's Purse and began in 1993. The total number of shoeboxes donated worldwide since the program's inception in 1993 is expected to reach over 100 million this year. 

"Our players and program look forward to Operation Christmas Child every year," said Mines head volleyball coach, Jamie Skadeland. "Samaritan's purse does an amazing job of bringing joy to children all over the world for Christmas and we are very fortunate and excited to have the opportunity to be a part of it."

The Mines volleyball team's shoebox was donated to Red Rocks Church in Golden.

For more information on Operation Christmas Child, please visit the website which can be found HERE.