Operation Christmas Shoebox

Posted September 28th, 2009 by admin

We are pleased to be supporting the Operation Christmas Child Project again this year. Simple gifts that touch the hearts of many! Operation Christmas Child is a project that provides gift-filled boxes to children living in difficult, even desperate circumstances. These shoe boxes bring joy and hope to children around the world and gives us a hands-on opportunity to focus on the true meaning of Christmas ~ Jesus Christ, God’s greatest gift. Along with the boxes, children are offered Gospel storybooks and invited to learn more about Jesus. We will have a box in the Narthex and the Meeting House to begin collecting for this project. You are welcome to fill your own shoe box, bring items that can be placed in a shoe box or simply give money. The boxes are filled for children in the following age category and can be for a boy or girl: age 2-4, age 5-9 or age 10-14.

Your gifts and prayers do change children’s lives.
“It is more blessed to give than to receive.”
Acts 20:35b, NIV

Ideas for filling a box could include:

• toys ~ small cars, balls, dolls, stuffed animals, kazoos, harmonicas, yo-yos, jump ropes, etc.
• hygiene items ~ toothbrush, toothpaste, mild bar soap, washcloth, comb
• school supplies ~ pens, pencils and sharpener, crayons or markers, stamps and ink pad, coloring books, writing pads or paper, solar calculators
• other items ~ hard candy, lollipops, mints, gum, sunglasses, flashlights and batteries, socks, ball cap, t-shirt, toy jewelry, hair clips, watches, small picture books.

Please do not include:

• used or damaged items;
• war-related items, i.e. toy guns, knives, military figures;
• chocolate or food;
• liquids or lotions;
• medications or vitamins;
• breakable items, i.e. snow globes, glass containers or aerosol cans.

Make sure your shoe box is ready for a long journey! The National Collection Week is November 16 ~ November 23. It would be helpful to have boxes and/or supplies by November 15th so we have time to prepare them for the dedication during worship on November 22nd. We will have a display in the Meeting House by mid-October with more information and resources to assist you if you would like to support this project. As in years before, we are indeed grateful to everyone for your support of this project.