GREENSBORO, N.C. — Samaritan's Purse holds their annual Operation Christmas Child every year. It is where people fill up shoeboxes with Christmas gifts for children in need.
The organization's mission of Operation Christmas Child is to demonstrate God’s love in a tangible way to children in need around the world and they partner with local churches.
At 98 years young, it hasn't stopped Leila Mae Cummings from helping those families in need.
"They are all sitting out in my apartment and when I wake up in the morning, I am glad to see my shoe boxes," said Cummings.
It takes a lot of work to put together packages filled with love. You need to buy, pack, and move the boxes to where they need to go.
For Cummings, giving is one of her greatest gifts.
"It gives me something to think about and it allows me to think that maybe I am doing something good," she said.
Cummings was born and raised in Greensboro. She has worked since the day she was born.
"I always had something to do, I didn't know when I wasn't supposed to work," she said. "We would feed the chickens and carry the wood, living on the farm you had a job to do."
She also worked at the post office, lifting packages daily. She said in 1982 she retired, but hasn't slowed down one bit.
She said her secret to a long life is the simple life she has continued to have and to keep living an active life too.
"I think the secret is, you've got to keep doing something and have your mind active," she said. "I want to keep going as long as I can."
Leila Mae Cummings’ favorite activity is going to the aquatic center and packing Operation Christmas Child shoebox gifts. This 98-year-old packed nearly 1000 boxes because she has a heart for children and hard work.
She prepares all year and she's already preparing for next year.
"When I first started, I probably did about 75, and then it went up to 100," she said. "I love to go shopping."
She said she can't remember how long it's been since she started, but at minimum, more than 11 years.
Cummings does all of this work on her own and it's given thousands of children a Christmas they were likely never going to receive.
"I would love to see some of those children's faces, I've never been married but they are my children," she said.
She hopes that if she can do this, at 98 years old, it will inspire others to do it too.
"I brag about my age, 98 and a half, I hope someone will say 'I will do one or two if that old lady can do those,'" she said. “I want to serve the Lord and do right."
If you want to help, more information can be found here.