Margaret Lusch of Beaver Run has found a way to bring smiles to children's faces. She gift-wraps shoe boxes. But these aren't just any old shoe boxes. These are very special shoe boxes.

Her church, Bethany Evangelical Congregational Church at 222 North St., Lehighton, participates in a Samaritan's Purse program called Operation Christmas Child. The congregation donates items for three different age categories from 2-14 years old. The boxes are prayed over as they are filled and then shipped to children in need in over 150 countries as a way to share God's love in a tangible way.But Margaret, 93, didn't think the shoe boxes looked pretty enough. She pictured a small child receiving a shoe box, and she wanted to do something that would delight that child before they even opened the box. So, three years ago, she volunteered to wrap all the boxes in cheerful and pretty Christmas paper. That first year she wrapped 102 boxes. Last year she wrapped 65, and this year she wrapped 75 boxes."I'll do more if they get the boxes to me," she said eagerly.Alyssa Cathers, a biblical counselor for Foundations Christian Counseling in Brodheadsville and a member of Bethany ECC, said Margaret is unable to attend many of the church services anymore but still wants to serve Jesus."Wrapping the boxes can be a tedious and time-consuming job. When Margaret offered to do it, she found a special way to give back to the Lord. She wanted each child to have a beautiful box. She really has a heart for these children," Cathers said.The boxes and wrapping paper are collected throughout the year by members of her congregation, family and friends, and shoe stores, which are then given to Margaret for her to do her magic.Margaret said many years ago she hated wrapping presents and later had her daughter do it for her."Now I love wrapping these boxes," she said.She starts wrapping in May and does it while watching television. She does a few at a time. As she wraps a shoebox, she says a prayer for the child who will receive it.Margaret, a mom, grandmother, great-grandmother and great-great-grandmother, says, "I like being busy."Margaret knows the wrapped boxes are appreciated because of thank-you letters the congregation receives."One letter was from a little girl in Russia who said she loved her box so much, she carried it around with her. It makes me feel good to know my hands were in Russia," she said.On a recent Sunday, the 75 boxes that Margaret wrapped were placed on the altar rail and the congregation prayed for the children who will receive them. Members took them home to fill.Bethany ECC's pastor the Rev. Jeff Stansbury said the congregation appreciates Margaret's ministry."I'm thrilled she wants to be a part of it. Margaret is a perfect example of how you are never too old to serve Jesus," he said.