Samaritan’s Purse: Operation Christmas Child

I am so honored to partner with Samaritan’s Purse to bring you a very important service project called Operation Christmas Child. This is a beautiful way for you and your children to give back this Christmas, teaching them the importance of Thanksgiving. This holiday season there are so many children that will never know the feeling that our children get, when they wake up bright eyed and bushy tailed to see what’s under the perfectly decorated tree on Christmas morning. To be a part of helping a child, or even more, have the opportunity to experience the joy and excitement of what this season is all about is the works of a Good Samaritan.   

The story of the Good Samaritan (Luke 10:30-37) gives a clear picture of God’s desire for us to help those in desperate need wherever we find them. After describing how the Samaritan rescued a hurting man whom others had passed by, Jesus told His hearers, “Go and do likewise.”Knox loved picking out the toys for his boy and girl’s shoebox and it was such an important teaching lesson every time he would pick one up and say, “can I get this?” My answer was, this is not a shopping trip for you, but for a little boy and girl that can’t come to the store and pick out toys anytime they want like you can. They don’t have money to buy toys or even more important things you have like socks and shoes on your feet, soap to wash their bodies or toothbrushes to brush their teet. He would process it as much as a five-year-old can and then ask a few questions. One that will never leave my heart is, “Mama, can I play with them?” One day, my sweet little boy, one day.

Be still my heart. Be still.  Packing a shoebox is quick and easy! Start with an average-size cardboard or plastic shoebox or you can pick a Samaritan’s Purse one up from most local churches. Choose if you want to pack your box for a girl or a boy, along with the age category: 2-4, 5-9, or 10-14.   Select a quality “wow” toy such as a doll, soccer ball with pump, or stuffed animal. We found some really cool Seedling. world balls that they could color and then blow up that we included. Then add other fun toys, hygiene items, and school supplies. Here’s a list of items that are acceptable and can help you in packing your box:

Toys: Include items that children will immediately embrace such as toy cars, 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.

Crafts: Make your own items such as hair bows, finger puppets, and friendship bracelets. Download instructions here.

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

There is also a printable coloring worksheet that you can have your child fill out. This was really fun for Knox, and I loved hearing his answers. It was also a great way for him to better grasp how far his box would be going to reach a child. He gasped in excitement when he learned that the little girl and boy may even write him back! To see his happiness helping another child is worth it’s weight in gold! You can wrap the box if you want in cute paper, but you certainly don’t have to. If you do decide to wrap it, cover the box and lid separately, so that you are still able to open it. The boxes are always looked through and checked before a child receives it. Once your box is ready to ship to a child take your box to a designated drop off site between November 14-21st – you can find your drop off locations by entering your zip code here. Or you can donate $7 online and receive a tracking label to Follow Your Box and discover the destination of your shoebox gift! You will be notified about the country where your box will be delivered with the message of Christ’s love. You can get your shipping label by clicking here. For any questions or for more information email occinfo@samaritan.org

Most importantly, pray for the child who will receive your gift and that they will have the opportunity to hear the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Thank you for being here on this page, reading this far, and for considering partnering with us to help bless children across the globe with a gift-filled shoebox and a joyful Christmas.

 

Blessings,