Operation Christmas Child National Collection Week is Coming!

Brian and I love working with Operation Christmas Child. We wrote a post last year and are excited to bring you several posts this year. National Collection Week for Operation Christmas Child is next Week November 18 – 25. Our church is kicking off National Collection week a day early with a Packing Party. We can’t wait to show you how that event goes. If you are local to us, come join us to pack shoe boxes November 17 from 5-7pm at Spring Hill Baptist Church!

We kicked off the Operation Christmas Child campaign with announcements during all four services at our church. Brian shared the shorter version of Alex’s story video.

He also read a letter we received from one of the shoe boxes we sent last year. It was so exciting to get that letter and we are excited to keep in touch with that family. Brian also let everyone know that we had boxes all out in the hallway to hand out. We had been busy making boxes and have kept making boxes since that early November Sunday! We have been amazed at how many shoe boxes are leaving the church doors to be filled. I love seeing the kids carry them out the cars after services! It warms my heart!

Last Sunday on our way out of church after Sunday School hour, we actually had to stop in the hallway and make some more boxes because the table was empty. Brian had just left 30 boxes on the table that Friday so our kids sat there and helped us get more boxes together before the last service that day ended. We will be working this week to add to the box pile before the Packing Party event! We love that our church is embracing the Operation Christmas Child mission!

To add a personal touch to shoe boxes this year, we also had a craft time at our church to support Operation Christmas Child. The kids enjoyed making bracelets (this is our Sophie) …

and loop potholders.

The kids that participated in our church’s Vacation Bible School this year made headbands so we will be adding those to the boxes at the packing party! Brian has been going through the collection boxes at the church trying to sort out all of the items in them into categories for the packing party.

Are you ready to make a shoe box? Here is what you can add:

• TOYS: Include items that children will immediately embrace such as dolls, toy trucks, stuffed animals, kazoos, harmonicas, yo-yos, jump ropes, balls, toys that light up and make noise (with extra batteries), etc.

• SCHOOL SUPPLIES: Pens, pencils and sharpeners, crayons or markers, stamps and ink pad sets, writing pads or paper, solar calculators, coloring and picture books, etc.

• HYGIENE ITEMS: Toothbrush, mild bar soap (in a plastic bag), comb, washcloth, etc.

• ACCESSORIES: T-shirts, socks, ball caps, sunglasses, hair clips, toy jewelry, watches, flashlights (with extra batteries).

• A PERSONAL NOTE: You may enclose a note to the child and a photo of yourself or your family. If you include your name and address, the child may write back.

• DO NOT 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.

Find a collection location HERE!

Don’t have a collection site near you? Make a shoe box online. We started an online campaign for shoe boxes. You can add the items to the shoe box and cover the $7 shipping cost to get the box to a child in need. Help us reach our goal of getting 10 shoe boxes made online!

We hope you join us this year in making an Operation Christmas Child shoe box either online or through a local collection drive. What is your favorite items to put in a shoe box? Leave us a comment and let us know your story releted to Operation Christmas Child!