Operation Christmas Child 

     The mission of Operation Christmas Child is to demonstrate God’s love in a tangible way to needy children around the world, and together with the local church worldwide, to share the Good News of Jesus Christ. Since Samaritan’s Purse began Operation Christmas Child, over 100,000,000 million shoe boxes full of small toys and other gifts, school supplies and hygiene items have been distributed to children all over the world who suffer the effects of war, poverty and natural disasters.

      For more information about this wonderful ministry, go to http://www.samaritanspurse.org/

     Use an empty cardboard or plastic shoebox (average size). You can wrap the box, lid separately, but wrapping is not required.

 

     Decide whether your gift will be for a boy or a girl, and the age category: 2-4, 5-9, or 10-14. Download and print the appropriate boy/girl label. Mark the correct age category and tape the label to the top of your box.

 

     Fill the box with a variety of gifts that will bring delight to a child (see Gift Suggestions below).

 

     Help cover shipping and other costs related to delivering your shoeboxes to children overseas by donating $7 for each gift you prepare.  You can give online to discover the destination of your box. Or, you can write a check to Samaritan’s Purse (note “OCC” on the memo line) and place it in an envelope on top of the items inside your shoebox. If you are preparing multiple gifts, please make one combined donation. Note:  Follow Your Box is only available through online giving.

 

     Remember to Pray for the children who will receive your shoebox gifts.

 

     Place a rubber band around each closed shoebox and bring it to the Zion drop-off location during National Collection Week, November 16–22, 2015.

 

 

Toys: Include items that children will immediately embrace such as dolls, toy cars, stuffed animals, kazoos, harmonicas, yo-yos, jump ropes, balls, toys that light up and make noise (with extra batteries), etc.

School Supplies: pens, pencils and sharpeners, crayons, markers, notebooks, paper, solar calculators, coloring and picture books, etc.

Non-Liquid Hygiene Items: toothbrushes, bar soap, combs, washcloths, etc.

Accessories: t-shirts, socks, hats, sunglasses, hair clips, jewelry, watches, flashlights (with extra batteries), etc.

A Personal Note: You may enclose a note to the child and a photo of yourself or your family. If you include your name and address, the child may be able to write back.

Do Not Include: Used or damaged items; war-related items such as toy guns, knives or military figures; chocolate or food; out-of-date candy; liquids or lotions; medications or vitamins; breakable items such as snow globes or glass containers; aerosol cans, hard candy ot toothpaste.