In a few short months, we will begin another Operation Christmas Child campaign. Last year, I transported 64 shoe boxes from LRPC to our then local drop off point. This year, there are some changes. Our church has been assigned to a new Church Relations contact, and I have not yet been informed where our shoe box drop-off point will be. Also, due to increased costs, the requested donation amount per box has increased to $10.00.
We are dedicated to continuing to share the Gospel message to children (and thus their families and communities) all around the world through this shoe box ministry. Please keep these children and their families in your prayers.
For those who are new to this ministry, Operation Christmas Child is part of the Franklin Graham Samari-tan’s Purse ministry, and its purpose is to share the Gospel message with children all over the world. We at LRPC can assist with this outreach by purchasing items (see below) to fill shoe boxes which OCC then distributes to these children for Christmas. OCC includes a Gospel tract message in each shoe box which is in the child’s native language.
Although the campaign does not officially begin until the fall, you can shop for your items now. Here are some suggestions to help you get started:
- involve your entire family in the process of selecting and purchasing the items to fill the shoe boxes
- select the gender and age group (2-4 years, 5-9 years, or 10-14 years)
- purchase new toys (balls, dolls, toy cars, small musical instruments, etc. – make sure the toys are non-war related)
- purchase new school supplies (crayons, colored pencils, markers, pens, pencils, sharpeners, solar calculators, paper, etc.)
- purchase new personal hygiene products (toothbrush with holder, soap bar with holder, brush, comb, etc.)
- purchase new clothing items and accessories (t-shirts, socks, plates, bowls, cups, etc.)
- when the campaign begins, send the suggested donation per box directly to Samaritan’s Purse to help with shipping costs
PLEASE NOTE: DO NOT INCLUDE TOOTHPASTE, LIQUIDS, OR ANY TYPE OF CANDY OR FOOD in your boxes. They will be removed due to increasing customs regulations.
Here are some suggestions to help you keep costs down and to help you fill the shoe boxes to the brim:
- purchase school supply items which will soon be on sale
- check the clearance sections and weekly sales ads at your local grocery, toy, and office supply stores each time you shop
- when you stop for a fast-food meal, order a kid’s meal (instead of an adult-sized meal) and save the unopened toy for your shoe box
Although the campaign does not officially begin until the fall, you can shop for your items now. Here are some suggestions to help you get started at https://www.samaritanspurse.org/operation-christmas-child/what-goes-in-my-shoebox-suggestions/
If you are unable to physically fill a box, please consider going on-line to build a virtual box or send a donation to OCC. Please feel free to share your ideas or tips that will encourage others in their mission to fill a shoe box, and we will gladly include them in future Loch Raven Press newsletters. The Christmas boxes and labels will be available for you to pick up in the lobby at the beginning of the campaign. Please bring your filled boxes back to church, and the boxes will be delivered to our local OCC collection center. We thank you in advance for your participation, and we look forward to seeing how God will use this ministry to His glory.
Trish Spicer