I want to share about a ministry that I strongly support: Samaritan’s Purse. Operation Christmas Child is part of Samaritan’s Purse, and you are probably familiar with that ministry and the shoe boxes that are filled with toys, school supplies, and other gifts for underprivileged children around the world every year. Samaritan’s Purse, an international relief organization, working together with local pastors in nations across the globe, uses these shoeboxes as tools to tell children about Christ and to help the local churches to reach out to their communities.
Since I had children, Operation Christmas Child has played a big part in our every Christmas. We began filling shoeboxes one Christmas with our church. As a couponer, I soon learned that finding the items to fill the boxes was something that I could be doing throughout the year. In fact, if you wait until collection week before you begin to gather items, you will really be scrambling! Plus, I find lots of great deals when I make this an ongoing project, and I am able to fill my boxes with quality gifts for a fraction of the original retail price.
Not sure what to include in your OCC Shoebox? I’ve listed 101 Christmas Ideas for Shoeboxes HERE, with a FREE printable of the list you can download and share with others.
What is Operation Christmas Child?
What is Operation Christmas Child? Operation Christmas Child became more than a Christmas tradition for me last February. I got to travel to Ecuador and take part in the distribution of Christmas boxes for children there. I know I will never be the same, and this year as I have been collecting items with my kids, I realize I am not even packing them in the same way. I have faces to go with my boxes now. I remember the delighted shouts of joy. I know how hard the Samaritan’s Purse ministry staff works. And I know why.
:: Find out more about what is Operation Christmas Child HERE.
Samaritan’s Purse Needs Christmas Boxes for Children
Samaritan’s Purse needs Christmas boxes for children. I know a lot of people think of the concept of filling a shoebox with gifts as kind of bizarre. It seems so small to really be able to contain a large Christmas for a child, but believe me–it does! People are really creative with what they fill those shoeboxes with, so please don’t discount that small package. For the children who open it, it tells them that they are loved. It opens the door to their understanding that God loves them, that He wants to bless them, and that He wants them to know Him.
Be sure to check out Christmas Corner, where you’ll find everything you need to make this Christmas the best ever!
:: Can you help? Find where you need to take your Operation Christmas shoebox once it is filled HERE.
