Operation Christmas Child is in full swing, as collection week starts tomorrow! Sponsored by Samaritan’s Purse, the program brings gifts to children in need around the world. Packing a shoe box is fun and easy, and drop-off locations are plentiful.
The process is started with an empty shoe box. Cardboard boxes can be wrapped in colorful paper. I like to use reusable plastic shoe boxes and then cover them with festive stickers!
I purchased several small items for a girl, aged 5-9. Gifts can be specified for either boys or girls in three age group categories—2-4, 5-9, and 10-14. The website has a list of suggested items for each category. Some of these include small plush toys, balls, marbles, puzzles, slippers, socks, hair ribbons, tooth brush, sunglasses, washcloth, colored pencils, pencil sharpeners, stick glue, crayons, coloring books, small notebooks, and stickers. There are items which are prohibited like candy, liquid glue, and war-themed toys, so it’s a good idea to consult the website before buying items to pack.
https://www.samaritanspurse.org/operation-christmas-child/pack-a-shoe-box/
Each box needs a $9 donation for shipping and handling. This is easily done online with the added bonus of a tracking label for each box. Alternatively, non-tracking labels can be printed from the website and payment made by placing a personal check inside each box. A personal note with your address and picture are optional, in case the child who receives your box can write back.
I placed a rubber band around each box to make sure the lid stays put, and I’ve made sure my labels are marked so my boxes make it to the appropriate child recipients. The website provides a list of locations where you can drop off your shoe box.
https://www.samaritanspurse.org/operation-christmas-child/drop-off-locations/
Once my boxes reach their destination, Samaritan’s purse will send me an e-mail letting me know which country the boxes made it to, so I can pray for the children who received my gifts. This is a great way to show the love of Christ to children around the world and in many cases provides an opening for them to hear the Gospel.
On the journey toward Home,
