The following is excerpted from the Church Newsroom. To read the full article, CLICK HERE

Had you been walking the shoreline of one of Micronesia’s scenic outer islands during the week of December 8th, you may have noticed a low-flying C130 cargo plane circling the island. Were you lucky enough to have a pair of binoculars, you may have been able to spot the pilot of that Air Force C130 plane, smiling and donning a Santa hat.

Suddenly, from the open-ended back of the plane, large boxes would drop and parachutes pop open, guiding festively decorated crates filled with gifts gently down onto the glimmering blue surface of the island lagoon.

The plane would then tip one wing down toward the island, perhaps to allow the crew to check that the cargo had been successfully sent on its way, or perhaps as a nod of goodbye and “Merry Christmas.”

No doubt, you would see excited islanders waving to the departing plane, then jumping into small boats, heading out to secure the boxes and drag them ashore where villagers of all ages waited in anticipation of what treasures the boxes hold this year.

You have just witnessed a tradition that has been happening every Christmas season since 1952 – Operation Christmas Drop, a humanitarian airlift and holiday tradition which is made possible by the U.S. Air Force. Wikipedia states that it is the longest running humanitarian airlift in the world.

In recent years, donations from members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints have made up a large portion of the donations that are gathered throughout the year in preparation for a successful holiday drop. Most of these donations are funneled through the Church humanitarian department, although many individual members of the Church purchased and contributed toys and other supplies independently.

Other individuals, churches and organizations also contribute generously to the operation on an annual basis.

To read the full article, CLICK HERE