Greg, Lacey, Rory, and Rylee: Operation Christmas Child

Two years ago a volunteer from Operation Christmas Child came to our MOPS group as part of our service opportunity. She shared with us what Operation Christmas Child was and what this one little shoe box means to so many. To sum it all up you pack a shoe box/Rubbermaid bin with hygiene products, school supplies, little toys, candy, etc and it ships to kids around the world who have nothing. The shoebox also opens a window to share the gospel and to show the children there is someone who loves them so much!! The videos were inspirational and really made you think about how blessed we are in this country.

One story was of a little boy in an orphanage who was always the last to bath (he shared a bath/including the water) and he had received a washcloth in his shoebox and that was "his" washcloth. So even though he was bathing in dirty water he felt clean because he was using "his" own washcloth.

We take for granted these wonderful things....and with only $20 or less you can make a shoebox that could change a child's life.

I have made a shoebox every year with MOPS, but his year I was called to share this idea and hopefully collect many shoe boxes from my family and friends. Rory and I packed together a shoebox for a little girl (5 to 9 yrs old), but the most needed shoe boxes are for Boys 10-14. They sometimes will receive a girl shoebox because for some reason boy shoe boxes are the ones less packed. The boys still receive a shoe box but it may be for a girl. However, if you watch the YouTube videos of boys receiving girl shoe boxes they are still elated. :)

HOW TO PACK A SHOE BOX

1) Shoe Box
Use and empty shoe box (standard size, please) or a small plastic container. You can wrap the box (lid separately), but wrapping is not required. PRAY for the child receiving the gift.

2)Boy or Girl?
Determine whether your gift will be for a boy or girl, and the child' category: 2-4, 5-9, or 10-14. Print out the appropriate boy/girl label shown below. (I printed out a bunch of them so if you live near me I can give you one or you can just print it out from the website) Mark the correct age category on the label, and tape the label to the top of your box.

3) Fill with GIFTS (my favorite part)

Gift Ideas:
TOYS: (small cars, balls, dolls, stuffed animals, jump ropes, etc) DOLLAR BIN TARGET!!

SCHOOL SUPPLIES: Most kids can't attend school unless they have school supplies. So this is very important. pens, pencils, crayons (crayola best..rose art melts), paper, writing pads etc

HYGIENE ITEMS: toothbrush, toothpaste, mild bar soap (wrapped in a plastic bag), comb, washcloth

OTHER: hard candy (jolly ranchers), shirts, socks, toy jewelry, sunglasses etc

A PERSONAL NOTE: include a note, picture of family, address (the child may write back)

4) Include your Donation: You can write a check to Samaritan's Purse (OCC on memo line) and put in your Box $7. Or I did it online and that way you can track your box to see which country it goes too. www.samaritanspurse.org/occ

5)GIVE TO ME!! OUR MOPS GROUP IS A DROP OFF LOCATION. Or if you don't live near me you can send your shoe box too: Samaritan's Purse/Operation Christmas Child 801 Bamboo Road Boone, NC 28607 or you can look on the Samaritans purse website to see if there is a drop off location near you.

I can't stop thinking about this charity and idea, This touched my heart as I hope if will yours too!!

I can also make a box for you....or you can donate items too for me to put in a box. :)

Here are some pics from our box!! :)