I thought I would share with you a project that my family took part in last year...it's called OPERATION CHRISTMAS CHILD. The four of us loved putting our boxes together and I know you will too. I started saving some shoe boxes months ago, so I would be ready to go when the time came around and now it's that time to fill them up! You can go here to check out the info on how your family can take part in this wonderful project. I bought most of my items from the clearance racks at Target and also at the dollar section. Here is my post from last year...I hope it will give you some ideas on what you can fill your boxes up with, if you decide to take part in OPERATION CHRISTMAS CHILD.
This year I wanted my family to do something for children in need...my Mother has been taking part in Operation Christmas Child at her church for the past couple of years...I checked the project out and it was just what I was looking and praying for. The project is part of Samaritan's Purse...founder is Franklin Graham. This is what you do...get a shoe box...pick the sex and age of your child...pray for your child...go shopping and buy items that you feel they would need and also FUN items (remember this is a child). My daughter Haley and I went shopping for our four children and came home with more stuff than we could fit into the boxes! I can say this was by far the best shopping day that I have ever had. We filled our boxes...sent a photo Christmas card of our family with a note to the child...and off they went!!! Next year we plan on doing this again...this time we will be filling up two boxes each. Please check this project out if you are looking for a way to help children hear the word of God...Merry Christmas!
This box is for a girl...age 8-10...here is a list of the items:
Pair of jeans,Hannah Montana boxers, underwear 10 pack, lip gloss, hairbrush,candy,
pens, pencils, toothpaste, toothbrushes, notebook, make-up bag, stickers, bookmark, soap, beanie babies and t-shirt.
This box is for a girl...age 13-14...here is a list of the items:
Dress, boxers, bra, underwear 10 pack, notebook, hairbrush, lip gloss, make-up bag, toothbrushes, toothpaste, soap, stickers, candy, pens, pencils, hair clips and beanie babies.
This box is for a girl...age 2-4...here is a list of the items:
Pink pants and a matching blouse, pink shorts, denim shorts, three pairs of Disney socks, one pair of Hello Kitty socks, one pair of Santa socks, baby doll, beanie babies, mickey soap, toothbrushes, toothpaste, Belle bracelet, Disney necklace, stickers, candy and hair clips.
This box is for a boy..age 5-9...here is a list of the items:
A pair of shorts, t-shirt, frisbee, velcro catch game, slinky, harmonica, math cards, pencils, pens, stickers, brush, mirror, toothbrushes, toothpaste, bar soap, bath towel, crayons, coloring book and bubble gum.
This is an awesome way to start off the Christmas season...please spread the word about this amazing project!!!!
Linking up to these fun parties!
Show and Tell
Transformation Thursdays
We have done this for a few years. Such a great ministry!
ReplyDeleteOur MOPS group puts together several boxes each year...in fact we start organizing our efforts at our meeting this Friday! It's such a fun way to bless others around the world.
ReplyDeleteThat is a wonderful ministry!!! Your shoe boxes look amazing too!!!
ReplyDeleteSuch a great way to give back! Your boxes are filled with fun things. Our church has been doing this ministry for a few years and they showed a video of the kids receiving them. They are thrilled! Thanks for passing this on :)
ReplyDeleteour church does this every year!
ReplyDeleteim a new follower would love for you to check out my little blog and follow back!
keepinitthriftyandrea.blogspot.com
What a great idea! I'll have to check into that : ) I know my little girl would have a blast putting some of those boxes together! Thanks for sharing : )
ReplyDeleteWhat a wonderful project! I will look into it for sure.
ReplyDeleteThanks for reminding me of this. We did these boxes a few years ago and I would love to do this again this year. Thanks for the links and the information. I am going do a couple of these and I have two new shoe boxes just looking for a new purpose! Thanks!
ReplyDeleteWe just saw a video about this at church on Sunday and we are going to participate also. It's a great gift.
ReplyDeleteI have done these shoeboxes for years and it is so much fun to think about the child that will receive them and what country they live in. Several people I know have written letters to put in the boxes and have heard back from their child. Isn't that neat? Samaritan's Purse is located in North Carolina. You should see the distribution center in Charlotte where they process the boxes. It is amazing!!! They let people volunteer to help work on the boxes and the time slots get filled almost immediately. It is such a popular thing for church groups and Bible study groups to help with. My group helped last year. There is also a Samaritan's Purse center in Boone, NC near where my sister lives. Billy Graham is from NC and that is why this organization is based out of NC. His son, Franklin Graham heads it up. It is a wonderful project and so much fun to pack the boxes for the children. Glad you are participating!!! Love & blessings from NC!
ReplyDeleteOur church participates in this program and I love it. We've been doing it for several years but this is the first year my grandson will really understand and I'm so excited to do it with him.
ReplyDeleteI did this last year as well.. when I still had my blog Writing Out loud (now hacked into and vanished in google world!) Am up and ready to participate this year as well.. your boxes look great! Cheers to you!
ReplyDeleteSmiles~
Cat
This is a wonderful idea and a great way to teach children about the needs of others. We used to take our kids to pick a name off the angel tree and they loved giving to child who wouldn't have much for Christmas.
ReplyDeleteHi Linda, I will definitely look into this and it sounds like a great cause. I volunteer each year with Toys For Tots. I can't begin to tell you how heart warming it is to see the generosity of the people that donate and to think about the children receiving these gifts.
ReplyDeletexo, Sherry
Linda,
ReplyDeleteThis is a wonderful project! I know the children will love the gifts :)
Doesn't it warm your heart to help people!
Hugs,
Donna
Linda, we used to do these shoeboxes at our church in FL. I need to work on some up here now. Great idea & how much fun is it to shop for the sweet kidlets who will receive them? Win-Win situation!
ReplyDeleteI'm sorry I have not participated much in your Nifty-Thrify meme lately. I was under the weather for a bit & just not able to do much plus a computer virus put me out of commission on my blog for awhile. I'm back now!! Hope to join in next week.
Hugs,
Rett
Enjoy your break at the beach...I'm already looking forward to our trip down in Feb.
Thank you for blogging about this. I have been wanting to do something like this for the last few years and this is reminding me to actually get off my bum and do it this year.
ReplyDeleteCan't wait to show this idea to my husband
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing!!!
See you soon
Jenny
www.simcoestreet.blogspot.com
I've loved doing this in past years! I'll remember it again this year! It's really lots of fun to shop for kids....it's a blessing to be able to do it! ♥
ReplyDeleteThis is a great project. We've done this the last couple of years with our church as well. It's a great way for the kids to shop and share with other kids :)
ReplyDeleteOh, we always did Operation Christmas Child when my son was younger -- he loved putting the boxes together!
ReplyDeleteWe have our boxes packed too. This is something our church does every year. It is so important to teach our children to be blessed by blessing! :)
ReplyDeleteTiffany
PS - thanks for stopping by the blog.