Dustin Morris, Director of Development and Communications
As the holiday season begins, a warm sense of connection is filling the programs at VOA Alaska. The annual Shoebox Project is underway, and with it comes a feeling of generosity that has grown into a meaningful tradition for our community. What started as a small act of kindness last year has become a highlight of the season for staff, volunteers, and the youth we serve. This simple project reflects the heart of our Be the Light campaign. It shows how one thoughtful gesture can brighten a young person’s world when they need it most.
Earlier this month, USOA Mrs. Alaska 2026, Carson Hupe, joined our team to help prepare shoeboxes for youth across the state. Her connection to the project runs deep. Carson remembers holiday seasons from her childhood when resources were limited and gifts were not always certain. Her parents worked hard and loved her, yet uncertainty often shaped those moments. Those experiences created a strong sense of empathy and a desire to support young people facing similar challenges. As she filled each box, she thought about the message it carried. Every shoebox tells a young person that they are loved, remembered, and deserving of joy.
Carson also shared what she hopes youth hold close during this time of year. She said the holidays are not defined by what sits beneath wrapping paper. They grow from the people who support us, the small moments that spark laughter, and the sense of belonging that helps us step into a new year. Her reflections echo the spirit of Be the Light, which encourages us to show up for one another with care and intention. When we choose kindness, we create hope that lasts long after the season ends.
Nearby, Mike Cunningham, our Training and Support Specialist and a VOA minister, packed shoeboxes as well. Mike believes this project is one of the clearest ways to lift the human spirit. He has seen how a single shoebox can bring joy to a child who may feel overlooked. Growing up, Mike saw the holidays as a time to give, and that belief has guided him throughout his life. After becoming a minister with VOA Alaska, he brought the tradition to our programs because he wanted young people to feel supported and seen. To him, each shoebox is a small beacon of hope that reminds a child they matter.
As Carson and Mike worked together, the deeper purpose of the Shoebox Project became clear. These boxes are more than small gifts. They are reminders that a caring community stands with our youth, even during difficult seasons. They show that someone is thinking about them. The project embodies the heart of Be the Light through simple, intentional acts of generosity and connection.
At VOA Alaska, we believe healing grows from relationships and compassion. The Shoebox Project brings that belief to life. It brings people together with a shared purpose and fills the season with meaningful moments that reach far beyond the holidays. For some youth, opening a shoebox may become the brightest part of their celebration. For others, the handwritten note inside may be the message they carry into the new year.
As the season continues, VOA Alaska will share more opportunities for the community to support this effort. Every contribution helps keep the spirit of Be the Light strong. Together, we can bring comfort, joy, and connection to Alaska’s youth at a time when they need it most. When we choose compassion, we become the light in someone else’s winter, and together we create hope that lasts.
