Dave Hatch stands next to a stack of “cheer boxes.” (Provided photo)

LAKE PLACID — It’s hard to imagine being excited about receiving a toothbrush for Christmas.

In the United States, that might sound like a gag gift, or a joke altogether. But beyond our borders, Dave Hatch knows how impactful such seemingly small gifts can be. Years ago, he heard from a kid in a poor nation who had received a Christmas gift box.

The child was overwhelmed by the gifts and said that all he had been praying to receive for Christmas was a toothbrush. Before that, he had to share a toothbrush with eight members of his family.

Hatch is the director of Mountain View Bible Church’s “cheer box” program. The boxes are part of Operation Christmas Child, which is organized by Samaritan’s Purse International Relief, a nondenominational Christian organization that sends aid around the world.

The “cheer boxes” are shoeboxes provided by Samaritan’s Purse that groups fill with goods to send to children in low-income, war-torn or disaster-stricken countries. There are three categories of boxes: 2 to 4 years old, 5 to 9 years old and 10 to 14 years old.

A cheer box’s gift collection (Provided photo)

After they are assembled, they are collected and sent to a program screening center, where the boxes are inspected to ensure they contain no war-related items, used items or food. This is so that the boxes will clear customs and are able to be delivered to families there, which Samaritan’s Purse International Relief coordinates.

Each box costs $10 to ship, and includes about $30 to $50 worth of items inside, though some of these have been discounted for the program. They include small toys and clothes. Though the cost per box isn’t much, Hatch doesn’t exactly run a small operation. This year, he put together 1,301 of these boxes, along with a friend who separately put together another 300. Hatch said being able to send this many boxes is only possible because of community generosity.

“I hit the community,” he said. “I go to different businesses, I have friends, I have relatives. I hit them all up, and everybody is very willing to give to this program because of what it does — these go to children who have absolutely nothing.”

It’s also because of Hatch’s willingness to devote so much of his own time to the cause, shopping for supplies year-round, and making long drives to places like Pennsylvania for certain toys if a retailer there has offered to donate or sell them at a steeply discounted price.

Hatch credits his granddaughter, Anika, for not only helping out, but seeing that the number of boxes increases each year. During Hatch’s first year, he began with 16 boxes, increasing to 40 the next year. When Anika got involved, it was about 100 boxes the first year.

It has increased every year they have worked on it. The boxes are scheduled to ship out from the Mountain View Bible Church on Monday, Nov. 24. Hatch said that when it comes to costs, he’s raised all but $999 to cover the shipping this year.

Hatch said the money is usually all in by this time of year, but several longstanding donating businesses have closed, leaving a bit of a gap. He said he’ll continue fundraising, and if his costs are met, any surplus will be put toward next year’s Christmas box operation.

People who wish to donate to Mountain View’s cheer boxes project or assist at one of next year’s packing parties can reach out to Hatch at 518-637-2610 or through the church’s website at mtviewbible.org for more information.

Checks can be made out to the Mountain View Bible Church and mailed to David Hatch at 4796 Cascade Road, Lake Placid, NY 12946. He said receipts are sent back to people, as the donations are tax-deductible, unless the donation is made anonymously, which Hatch said people are also welcome to do.