National Collection Week Nov. 15-22
Operation Christmas Child is a kids-helping-kids project of Samaritan's Purse that uses simple gift-filled shoe boxes to let hurting children know that they are loved and not forgotten. This year alone, Operation Christmas Child will reach more than 8 million children--many of whom have never received a gift before--with a message of hope and love.
Your family can pack a box (or two or three) by following these simple steps:
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Choose a Box
Use an empty shoe box (standard size, please) or a small plastic container. You can wrap the box (lid separately), but wrapping is not required. Most importantly, pray for the child who will receive your gift. -
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. Print out the appropriate boy/girl label at www.SamaritansPurse.org. Mark the correct age category on the label and tape the label to the top of your box. -
Fill with Gifts
Fill the box with a variety of gifts that will bring delight to a child. Ideas include small toys, school supplies, hygiene items, hard candy, flashlights, etc. You can even include a personal note to the child receiving the box. -
Include Your Donation
Please donate $7 or more for each shoe box you prepare to help cover shipping and other project costs. You can give online by using the EZGIVE option, or you can write a check to Samaritan’s Purse (note “OCC” on memo line) and place it in an envelope on top of the gift items inside your box. -
Drop Off
Place a rubber band around each closed shoe box and drop off at the collection center nearest you during collection week, Nov. 15 – 22
For locations and hours of collection, visit www.SamaritansPurse.org where you can find the nearest place to take your shoe box by entering your ZIP code, or you can call 1.800.353.5949.
Did You Know
- Operation Christmas Child uses whatever means necessary--truck, boat, plane, helicopter, donkey, dog sled and even elephant--to bring shoe boxes to children in more than 100 countries.
- Operation Christmas Child uses tracking technology that allows donors to "follow your box" to find out the destination country where it will be hand-delivered to a child in need.
- U.S. presidents Ronald Reagan, George H.W. Bush, Bill Clinton and George W. Bush have all packed Operation Christmas Child shoe box gifts for children in need.
- There are more than 500,000 Operation Christmas Child volunteers worldwide.