Mary "Mama Gump" Damron, Humanitarian Shoebox Lady, Dies at 70

PRINCETON, W.Va. - Dec. 27, 2024 - PRLog -- Mary Damron, a pioneer and humanitarian who dedicated her life to Samaritan's Purse's Operation Christmas Child program, passed away on Thursday, Dec. 26--after a long battle with cancer. In 1993, Mary began collecting shoeboxes in her small, rural community of Ikes Fork, West Virginia after viewing a television advertisement featuring Rev. Franklin Graham delivering shoebox gifts to the children of war-torn Bosnia.

After viewing the advertisement, Mary began sticking a paper with the word "Bosnia" written on it--to her wardrobe. The paper reminded her to pray for the children of Bosnia daily--which was at the peak of the Bosnian War during the 90s.

By the end of 1994, Mary had collected 1,258 shoeboxes. After collecting the shoeboxes, her and her son, Tad--filled up a cargo truck with the shoeboxes and transported them to the Samaritan's Purse headquarters in Boone, North Carolina.

After arriving, Mary met Rev. Franklin Graham outside the headquarters building--it was the day after Thanksgiving in 1994. Mary greeted Rev. Graham with the following:

"Brother Graham, I'm Mary. Gotcha some shoeboxes for God. Where do you want 'em?"

Graham was amazed at the amount of shoeboxes which Mary had brought.

Due to the amount of shoeboxes--and the large contribution, Rev. Graham offered to take Mary to Bosnia. Bosnia was war stricken at the time, and there was concern by Graham that she may not understand that she would be going into a warzone, and would need a bulletproof vest.

After Rev. Graham expressed concerns, She said "What fer?"."I got the Holy Spirit of God, young man. I've got holy angels all around me, the Spirit of God in me, and Jesus walking with me every step of the way. I'll be alright!"

Mary Damron then became a global ambassador for the OCC program and oversaw the assembling and distribution of hundreds of thousands of shoeboxes in W.Va. and the surrounding areas.

Damron even encouraged President Clinton to pack a shoebox in 1995, after being invited to The White House for a press conference on Bosnian peace.

Mary Damron is now home, in Heaven. She was 70 years old at the time of her death.

Rev. Graham said today:

"We will certainly miss Mary, but I thank God for the impact she had on children all around the world for the Gospel". "I know Mary's family will appreciate your prayers."

Funeral plans have not been announced.

To read the full article from today's Samaritan's Purse news release, click here: https://www.samaritanspurse.org/article/mama-gump-her-hug...