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Operation Christmas Child

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Operation Christmas Child @ AVirtuousWoman.org

Last week the girls and I went shopping for our Operation Christmas Child Shoeboxes. It’s so much fun to think about ways to bless a less fortunate child in another country and the girls really enjoy shopping and packing the boxes!

Operation Christmas Child uses shoebox gifts filled with toys, hygiene items and school supplies to demonstrate God’s love in a tangible way to children in need around the world. OCC’s National Shoebox Collection is November 14-21, 2016. During this week, you can drop-off your packed shoeboxes at local drop-off sites open across all 50 states and Puerto Rico.

I wanted to encourage you to get together a box or two or more this week. A great way to afford more than one box is to shop at places like the Dollar Tree for a lot of the items.

How to Pack a Shoebox

Step #1: Start with an average-size cardboard or plastic shoebox. If you want to wrap it, cover the box and lid separately.

Step #2: Decide whether you will pack a box for a GIRL or a BOY, and the age category:

  • Ages 2-4
  • Ages 5-9
  • Ages 10-14

Step #3: Select a quality “wow” toy such as a doll, soccer ball with pump, or stuffed animal. Then add other fun toys, hygiene items, and school supplies.

Step #4: Most importantly, pray for the child who will receive your gift. You can also include a personal note and photo.

Step #5: Donate $7 online and receive a tracking label to Follow Your Box and discover the destination of your shoebox gift.

Step #6: Take your shoebox gift to a local drop-off location during National Collection Week, November 14-21, 2016.

What to Pack in Your Shoebox

After you’ve decided whether you want to pack a box for a boy or girl and the age range, you’ll want to go shopping for some fun goodies to fill the box with.

  • a “WOW” item such as a doll, a deflated soccer ball and ball pump, stuffed animals, an outfit, or shoes.
  • non liquid hygiene items such as toothbrush, comb, brush, wash cloth, bar soap, etc.
  • school supplies like pencils and a pencil sharpener, notebooks, markers, books.
  • accessories such as hair bows, hair ties, socks, watches, flashlights with extra batteries.
  • small toys, gum, candy like gummy bears but not chocolate that will melt.
  • a personal note and a photo of your family  {if you’d like}
  • you can find more ideas here.
  • and OCC’s Pinterest page has lots of ideas!

What Not to Include

Used or damaged items; war-related items such as toy guns, knives, or military figures; chocolate or food; out-of-date candy; liquids or lotions; medications or vitamins; breakable items such as snow globes or glass containers; aerosol cans.

WATCH THE VIDEO

My daughter Laura made a video about one of the boxes we packed. You can view it below – or here.

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