Christmas Project

We will again be participating in Samaritan's Purses' Operation Christmas Child.  If you would like to participate, you can either pick up a shoebox at a Celebration Singles event or you can pack an ordinary shoebox.

Note: if you do not like shopping, please feel free to make a monetary donation and one of our designated shoppers will fill a shoebox for you.  Please consider including $7-8 for shipping costs.

DEADLINE FOR BRINGING IN SHOEBOXES IS FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 11TH.

http://www.samaritanspurse.org/

PACKING A SHOE BOX:

1. 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.

2. 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 by downloading the artwork to the right. Mark the correct age category on the label, and tape the label to the top of your box. (Visit the website to find the right label: http://www.samaritanspurse.org/index.php/OCC/Pack_A_Shoe_Box/)

3. Fill the box with a variety of gifts that will bring delight to a child. Use the gift ideas provided below:

TOYS
Small cars, balls, dolls, stuffed animals, kazoos, harmonicas, yo-yos, jump ropes, small Etch-a-Sketch (registered trademark), toys that light up or make noise (include extra batteries), Slinky (registered trademark), etc.

SCHOOL SUPPLIES
Pens, pencils and sharpener, crayons or markers, stamps and ink pads, writing pads or paper, solar calculators, coloring and picture books, etc.

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

OTHER
Hard candy and lollipops (please double bag all candy), mints, gum, T-shirts, socks, ball caps, sunglasses, hair clips, toy jewelry, watches, flashlights (solar or with extra batteries)

A PERSONAL NOTE
In a separate envelope, you may include a note to the child and a photo of yourself or your family.  (If you include a name and address, your child may write back).

DO NOT INCLUDE
Used or damaged items, war-related items such as guns, knives or military figures, chocolate or food, out-of-date candy, liquids or lotions, medications or vitamins, breakable items such as snowglobes or glass containers, aerosol cans
4. 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 our “Follow Your Box Donation” 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. If you or your family are preparing more than one shoe box, please make one combined donation.

5. Place a rubber band around each closed shoe box and drop off at the Collection Center nearest you during our collection week, November 14-21.

For locations and hours of collection visit our Drop-Off Locations page 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.

You can also send your shoe box gift to:

Samaritan’s Purse
Operation Christmas Child
801 Bamboo Road
Boone, NC 28607