OPERATION CHRISTMAS CHILD 2013

We have 100 Samaritan's Purse OPERATION CHRISTMAS CHILD shoeboxes, along with all of the contents (see below) which have been donated.

This Saturday, OCTOBER 26TH, beginning at 10:00 a.m., we will have a "work day" where you're invited to join in and fill the boxes so they can be shipped out for Christmas.

Here's the process from the Samaritan's Purse website:
Pack Shoeboxes  Each shoebox is an opportunity to show God's love to a child -- so pack one (or many) this Saturday!

1. SELECT A SHOEBOX
  • Use a regular-sized shoe box or shoebox-sized plastic box. If wrapping your shoebox, please wrap the lid separately. We have 100 shoeboxes on hand ... all you need to do is help us fill them!

2. BOY OR GIRL?
  • Determine whether your gift will be for a boy or a girl, and the child's age category: 2-4, 5-9, or 10-14. Appropriate labels are on hand and will be provided.

3. FILL YOUR SHOEBOX
  • Fill your shoebox with a well-balanced variety of items from the following categories: All the supplies are on hand ... come and help us fill the boxes!
  • School Supplies - Items such as pencils, pens, pencil crayons, note pads, and picture books
  • Toys & Other Gifts - Items such as stuffed animals, small musical instruments, hair clips, toy jewelry, t-shirts, socks, and candy (loose, individually wrapped hard candy in a sealable bag)
  • Hygiene Items  - Please place soap in a sealable bag
  • Personal Note  - Include a personal note and/or a photo in your shoebox (not inside the donation envelope)
        
DO NOT INCLUDE: DON'T WORRY ... WE HAVE ONLY WHAT YOU NEED!  :)
  • Toothpaste (due to customs regulations)
  • Food and any chewy, crumbly, or soft candy: Including gum (due to customs regulations)
  • Used items (due to customs regulations)
  • Playing cards (other card games such as UNO are allowed)
  • Liquids or items that could leak, melt, freeze, or break - Shampoo, creams, lip balm, bath gels, mirrors, or glass, etc. (these can damage other items in the shoe box).
  • Items that can scare or harm a child - War-related toys, knives, and toy guns, etc.
  • Using a backpack instead of a shoe box is problematic because it creates unfair circumstances at distribution events.  Backpacks can also cause problems when cartons are being packed, and when shipments are going through Customs. 
 Click to open a page of shoebox labels.

4. MAKE YOUR MINIMUM $7 DONATION

Please donate a minimum of $7 for each shoebox you prepare to help cover project costs--including shipping. Please make one combined donation for multiple shoeboxes. We will be asking the congregation to help us provide the shipping costs for the 100 boxes ... this will be a total of $700.
  • Simply make your donation online or place your cheque or cash donation in an envelope inside your shoebox, on top of the items. If you make an online donation, you do not need to include the donation receipt in the shoebox. Tax-deductible receipts will be issued for donations of $15 or more.