One charity that is very near and dear to my heart is Operation Christmas Child. This year Operation Christmas Child will reach more than 9.8 million children to let them know that they are loved and not forgotten.
To participate, fill a traditional sized shoe box or a plastic shoe box storage container with items appropriate for a child in one of the following age groups:
- 2-4 Girl
- 2-4 Boy
- 5-9 Girl
- 5-9 Boy
- 10-14 Girl
- 10-14 Boy
We usually go to the Dollar Tree and select items that they would like. We also add hard candy (that won’t melt) and a letter from us to the child. Sometimes we even include a picture of our family.
Here are a few ideas:
- Crayons or markers
- Coloring book
- Stickers
- Small toys
- Doll
- Stuffed Animal
- Balls
- Jacks
Once you have assembled your box, you can visit the Samaritans Purse website to download and print your label for your box. You will need to include a check for $9 to cover the shipping for the box. You can also give your donation online using the Follow Your Box Donation method. This will enable you to track your boxes and know where in the world it ends up!
Samaritan’s Purse will be collecting gift-filled shoe boxes at more than 2,900 drop-off sites in all 50 states and Puerto Rico during National Collection Week, November 14-21. To find the nearest drop-off location, call (800) 353-5949 or visit visit their website.
Here are some very interesting facts about Operation Christmas Child that you might not know:
- It is the world’s largest Christmas project of its kind.
- The number of children who have received Operation Christmas Child shoe box gifts since 1993 (86 million) exceeds the populations of the United Kingdom and Australia combined.
- Operation Christmas Child uses whatever means necessary—truck, boat, plane, helicopter, bike, donkey, dog sled, even elephant—to bring shoe boxes to children in more than 100 countries.
Andrea Fuller says
Dear Kristin,
Thanks for posting about Operation Christmas Child! This is my charity of choice because it reaches not only the children who receive the boxes, but also their family with the gospel. It is also on the top ten most effective and trusted charities in the world every year. Samaritan’s Purse can get to areas of the world that most organizations cannot – refuge camps, war-torn areas, and the most poverty-stricken countries in the world. My team just finished packing 2110 boxes on Sat. and assisted a mission church of 40 people to pack 135 yesterday. I’m praying that OCC reaches their worldwide goal of 12 million this year. For most of the children that receive a box, it is not only the first Christmas present that they have ever received but the only Christmas present that will receive in their entire childhood. I always include a notebook and pencils, so they can attend school, a cup, toothbrush, comb, and washcloth of their very own to help prevent the spread of disease, and of course OCC includes a bible and study materials, so they can hear about Jesus. Couponing to Disney has helped me shop for my boxes over the years. Learn how to donate, pack your own box, or host a packing party and Stay up to date on all the new information at https://www.samaritanspurse.org/what-we-do/operation-christmas-child/.
Rena says
Thanks for posting! I never heard of this and it sounds so great that I posted it for my friends to see on FB.
Lori says
My 20 year old daughter says that one of her earliest memories is of us packing an OCC shoebox when she was 3. I believe this is the reason she has such a heart for missions and is making plans to be an international missionary someday. We have packed at least one box every year since sshe was 3 years old! In fact, she loves doing this so much, that she is heading up an OCC packing party at her college this month!
Cindi says
Love OCC!! What a way to share the gospel of Christ !! I buy all year for my 12 shoeboxes. I am OCC project leader at my church. This year our children’s ministry raised 1500.00 that will make 100 boxes shipping included !! I am praying our church goes over our 300 shoebox goa!!
Thank you for sharing OCC on your website !!
Penny Cothran says
Our church participates in OCC too!
And the kids need school supplies! Many of them cannot attend school without them, so we make sure we pack paper, pencils/pens/pencil sharpeners/erasers/scissors, etc. And hygiene items, like toothbrushes/soap/washcloth/comb. This is the last year we can send candy & toothpaste.
There are certain items that CANNOT be included, so go to the OCC link.
Some churches & stores like Family Christian Store have ready to assemble boxes that OCC supplies (no charge to you), although it may be a little hard to find them right now.
OCC is a wonderful ministry!
Kathy says
This is the last year you can add candy and toothpaste. Make sure that the expiration date is not before July 2017. Next year it will not be allowed.
Meridith says
This is something that we do too! This year as a family we are doing 3 boxes! We started with 1. My wish is that all of my friends would do one too!