BOCA RATON, Fla. — Aug. 11, 2026 — Box of Joy, a ministry of Cross Catholic Outreach, is on track to reach a remarkable milestone: 1 million Box of Joy gifts delivered to children around the world since the ministry began. The outreach’s mission is simple and deeply rooted in faith: to share the joy of Christmas and the love of Jesus Christ with children who might otherwise receive little to nothing this season.
Since launching in 2014, Box of Joy has united Catholic parishes, schools, families and groups across the United States, including the Knights of Columbus, National Council of Catholic Women and Catholic Daughters of America. Together, they bless children in need with shoebox-sized gifts filled with toys, school supplies, daily essentials and other small treasures. The ministry also includes a rosary and The Story of Jesus in every box, reminding children that they are not forgotten and are covered by Christ’s Love.
As Cross Catholic Outreach celebrates 25 years of service and hope in 2026, the Box of Joy milestone stands as a powerful example of what can be accomplished when Catholics unite in faith to serve the poor. For a quarter century, the organization has mobilized the global Catholic Church to transform lives materially and spiritually for the glory of Jesus Christ. Reaching 1 million Box of Joy gifts is both a celebration of that legacy and a reminder that, together, faithful supporters continue to bring Christ’s hope and love to children around the world.
“The love of Jesus is the best gift you can give someone, and children experience that love when they open their Box of Joy gifts,” said Michele Sagarino, president of Cross Catholic Outreach.
To date, 915,889 Box of Joy gifts have been delivered to children in Guatemala, the Dominican Republic, Grenada, Nicaragua, El Salvador, Haiti, Peru, the Bahamas, Honduras and Malawi. Last year, Catholics across actively participating dioceses, including Miami, Washington, D.C./Maryland, Mobile, AL, and Harrisburg, PA, came together through parishes, schools and community groups to pack Box of Joy gifts. Combined with thousands of additional boxes donated online, these efforts helped deliver 134,159 Box of Joy gifts to children around the world in 2025.
This year, with the support of its participants, Cross Catholic Outreach hopes to reach and surpass its goal of delivering 1 million Box of Joy gifts to children in need.
“We look forward to relying on the faithful generosity of Catholic parishes, schools and families across the U.S. to continue blessing children with a Box of Joy,” said Sagarino.
Many children who are served through this ministry attend schools with limited resources, often sharing classroom supplies. The joy on a child’s face when receiving simple items of their own, like pencils or coloring books, is a powerful reminder of the impact these gifts make.
The race to 1 million Box of Joy gifts begins as the 2026 Box of Joy campaign kicks off in August. Groups will deliver gifts to hundreds of local Drop-Off Centers during Box of Joy Week, which is Nov. 7-15.
To learn more about engaging students, parishioners or group members in helping children in need through Box of Joy, visit BoxofJoy.org or see the ministry in action here. For additional information or to schedule an interview with Michele Sagarino, contact Kevin Wandra of Carmel Communications at kwandra@carmelcommunications.com or 404-788-1276.