The concept of Operation Christmas Child began when a couple in Wales were watching a broadcast about Romanian orphanages.
They asked the question: "How can we help the real victims, the children, who live in these situations day after day?" They knew they couldn't stop the wars, but could offer something...the gift of love. Together, they filled a convoy of nine trucks with medical supplies, food, clothing and Christmas gifts for children, and headed into Romania, which had recently been devastated by war.
This was the beginning of the world's largest childrens' Christmas program.
They asked the question: "How can we help the real victims, the children, who live in these situations day after day?" They knew they couldn't stop the wars, but could offer something...the gift of love. Together, they filled a convoy of nine trucks with medical supplies, food, clothing and Christmas gifts for children, and headed into Romania, which had recently been devastated by war.
This was the beginning of the world's largest childrens' Christmas program.
In 1993, Franklin Graham, International President of Samaritan's Purse, adopted Operation Christmas Child. Since then, more than 61 million shoeboxes have been delivered to hurting children in more than 135 countries.
Would you like to fill a shoe box?
First you'll need an empty shoe box (standard size, please). If you wrap the box make sure to wrap lid separately, but wrapping is not required.
Next you need to decide if your gifts will be for a boy or a girl, and the child's age category: 2-4, 5-9, or 10-14. Make sure to tape a label to the top of the box.
Now for the fun part, filling it with a variety of gifts that will bring delight to a child. Here are some suggestions from their web site.
TOYS: small cars, balls, dolls, stuffed animals, kazoos, harmonicas, yo-yos, jump ropes, small Etch A Sketch®, toys that light up or make noise (with extra batteries), Slinky®, etc.
SCHOOL SUPPLIES: pens, pencils and sharpener, crayons or markers, stamps and ink pad sets, writing pads or paper, solar calculators, coloring and picture books, etc.
HYGIENE ITEMS: toothbrush, toothpaste, mild bar soap (in a plastic bag), comb, washcloth, etc.
OTHER: Hard candy and lollipops (please double bag all candy), mints, gum, T-shirts, socks, ball caps; sunglasses, hair clips, toy jewelry, watches, flashlights (with extra batteries).
Once your box is filled they request a $7 donation for each shoe box to help cover shipping and other project costs. You can make a check to Samaritan's Purse (note "OCC" on memo line) and place it in an envelope on top of the gift items inside your box. If you or your family are preparing more than one shoe box, please make one combined donation. You can also give online by using our EZGIVE option.
Lastly place a rubber band around each closed shoe box and drop off at the Collection Center nearest you during our collection week: Nov. 16-23.
You can also send your shoe box gift to:
Samaritan's Purse
Operation Christmas Child
801 Bamboo Road
Boone, NC 28607
4 comments:
So glad you mentioned this! Last night at Mardel they had flyers about it as we were checking out. I always enjoy finding things for our box!
Our church has been participating in this for many years. I always enjoy filling the boxes. Thank you for sharing about it.
Are you doing this again this year at our church? I won't be there this Sunday or next. Under the weather this week, away next.
Bethany & Susan B....We enjoy filling the boxes too! It's an annual event around our house. All through the year, I put items aside as I come across them.
Marsha...Yes, Bill took all of the info to church with him this morning & even a stack of already-wrapped shoeboxes. (I missed church today, as well...bad throat all week!) Yuk!
Hope you & Mike feel better soon!!
FYI...By the way..Did you know that this year you can make your shoebox $7-per-box contributions online & receive a numbered label so the box(es) you send can be tracked, & you can find out which country they have gone to. Isn't that neat?
Just Google: EZ GIVE
Post a Comment