Operation Christmas Child

[Miss Jasmine]

I don't know how many of you are aware of this program and I wanted to share it with you.

http://www.samaritanspurse.org/index.asp?section=Operation+Christmas+Child

Yes it is a Christian organization and yes Christian materials will be included in the box before the child receives it.

 

[olena]

We've done it for the past few years.....

 

[Fishbone†]

I just brought mine to church last week! This is a super fun way to give.... especially for kids.

 

[Miss Jasmine]

I must admit this is my first shoebox. My church is a collection center, so I'll be stopping by during the week to drop it off. It was so much fun shopping for the items! I think I may have too much for one box though, it may end up being two. lol

 

[hercamore]

Hi,

Operation Christmas Child receives a big response in SE MInn.

Our goal is 20,000 boxes to be sent to Mpls in a few weeks to be shipped out.

We took our two to church sunday, and yes, it's fun to gather all the "stuff".

This year, I kept a running shoebox going all year and so when I clean and get rid of stuff, in the box it goes.

I found something like 50 pencils in the junk drawer

herc.

 

[Kirby]

This is my second year. Going to drop off my boxes tomorrow.

 

[luvmarypoppins]

We do it every year. This year we will do 4, 3 for boys and 1 for girls. Our school goal was like 100. We did 2 for that for the younger dss school. My oldest ds has to do one with a group so there are 3 of them doing it in his 10th grade class and our church is doing it too. I think it is a very worthwhile project. It helps our kids to focus on others instead of themselves. after all christmas is about giving, not getting. We also do the town toy drive, homeless shelter party and angel tree prison fellowship christmas program. My ds always comment, we give away more than we get. I always say, yes and that is the way it should be. You have whatever you want 364 so one day it is time to spread the joy of the season.

 

[Talking Hands]

M.O.P.S. group I interpret for is doing this. It is a really great cause.

 

[Pooh67_68]

I just hear about this programm last summer and my sister and I made up shoe boxes last year and again this year, and will continue to do so every year.

 

[alabamaalan]

We let our six year old help with our shoeboxes but this year she is at a school that also collects so she had to choose between it or church as the group to collect for and drop off point.

 

[Saphire]

I look forward each year to seeing the short video at church from Operation Christmas Child. To watch those dear children opening their boxes and to see their sweet smiles is amazing. I love how practical this program is: pack up toys and gifts in a simple shoebox, wrap it, and it is shipped directly to children in need. It is wonderful to involve your own children in buying gifts and packing the boxes, they really start to think about the boy or girl who will receive it. Overall, this one of the best charities I have seen in a long, long time.

 

[olena]

A running shoe box! I LOVE the idea. Thanks.... I'll share that with my sisters. We usually make a social event out of box stuffing.

 

[pirateofthecarolinas]

Shhhhhh .......listen closely. This is something I can only share here amongst friends.

We are going to WDW in early Dec. so when my children ask for things I say, "No, we're going to WDW and we need to save our money."

When the shoeboxes were given out at church I was at home with our sick baby. My husband didn't pick any up since he felt he needed to check with me first. (I've taught him well. ) Except he forgot to tell me.

My daughter asked one day, "why didn't we do the box for the poor children this year." I could tell she was thinking. Then she said, "oh I know why, because we are going to Disney World." I got so tickled at her but I thought please don't tell your Sunday School teacher.

Lori

 

[CRB#33]

My children have been doing this for several years and really enjoy going out and picking out things for their child.

It's truly a worthy cause. Billy Graham's son, Franklin has a big part in it. He seems to really have grown over the years and is a wonderful giving man.

 

[chell]

If you have the opportunity to process the shoeboxes you should go for it! It is so much fun. It's amazing to see how much stuff people can pack into a tiny little shoebox.

But I think the thing that has always amazed me the most are the filler items that people send in to fill any boxes that are not packed to the rim. People work so hard all year long making little dolls, scarfs, mittens, etc. for the boxes. It's just amazing to see how much work they put into it.

Remember if you don't get your box to the collection center by the deadline you can always mail them to the office in Boone, NC. People send them all year long.

 

[pirateofthecarolinas]

Thanks Michelle

I thought it was too late to do a box because our church has already sent them in.

This is off topic but I wanted to share. Our church recently did a cookbook and Mrs. Billy (Ruth) Graham sent us some of her favorite recipes to be included. I thought that was neat.

Lori

 

[justjulie]

This is the first year my son's school participated and the response was overwhelming - on our first attempt we collected 276 shoe boxes of every size - what a sight!