Shoe boxes for Operation Christmas Child
Here in Ohio, it is downright dreary! It's overcast, raining, and hovering around 45 degrees. It was a perfect day to put together the shoeboxes we're sending overseas to children we've never met before. Have you heard of Samaritan's Purse? They are the organization that came up with Operation Christmas Child - a huge service project that delivers shoeboxes filled with goodies for children around the world who otherwise would receive nothing for Christmas. You can read about the organization here. I'm sharing this with you because it's been a blessing to us as a family (no other reason).
There's still time to fill a shoe box with toys, candies, toiletries, and more if you are interested! Collection week in many areas of the United States begins this week and ends next Monday or so. Our church is a collection center for OCC, and we are dedicating and praying over all the boxes brought to our location this coming Sunday. Do you want to bless a sweet child somewhere in the world? Go here to see the steps to take to fill a shoe box - they give helpful tips on what you can pack and should not pack into the boxes.
The inside of Julie's box - she packed one for a Girl 10-15 years old
Our girls are blessed by this service project each year! It's wonderful to walk around the stores with them and see what they pick out for their box. This year, Julie suggested that we shop at Family Christian store because she had seen pencils and other small items with Scripture verses on them the last time we visited the store. We did that and found brightly colored pencils for only 29 cents each! With my coupon of 25% off, they came to a mere 22 cents each. Yes, I use coupons to shop for the shoe boxes too because the more I save, the more we can pack into that box.
Other things the girls picked out for their boxes: stickers, slinkies, socks, candy, pencils, pencil sharpener, notebooks, pens, keychains, a Christmas ornament, bouncy balls, toothpaste, toothbrushes, hair clips, hair brush, and some other things they thought a girl their age would like.
Heather's box for a Girl 8 - 11
Do you fill shoe boxes? Have you ever heard back from the child who received it? We would love to hear your stories!
Hope you enjoy the rest of your day!
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1 comment:
OCC is one of our favorite giving opportunities. I try to buy all year long when I run across items on sale/clearance. Back to school sales are a great time to pick up items for the boxes. I've also started asking my girls to spend some of their own money to buy gifts for the boxes. They enjoy being able to choose some of what goes into the boxes and by buying it themselves I hope to help them learn about sacrificial giving. We've never heard back from anyone but next year I think I'll pay the per box fee online. You can then download a tag and track where your box goes.
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