Operation Christmas Child

Operation Christmas Child (OCC) is a project of Samaritan’s Purse, an international relief organization. Every day boys and girls worldwide suffer from war, poverty, disease, famine, and natural disaster. OCC makes it possible for millions of these children to experience God’s love through shoeboxes filled with small toys, hygiene items, and school supplies. These shoebox gifts open doors to demonstrate God’s love in a tangible way for presenting the Good News of Jesus Christ to needy children. Since 1993, Samaritan’s Purse has partnered with local churches around the world to deliver 157 million OCC shoebox gifts to children in need in over 160 countries and territories.
Around 10,870 of those shoeboxes came through Redland’s doors last year! Redland is again a collection center for Operation Christmas Child (OCC) National Collection Week, November 18-25, 2019! Take part in this unique opportunity to volunteer with OCC by helping with this year’s National Collection Week.

1. Find a shoebox: average-size cardboard or plastic shoebox or use an OCC pre-printed shoebox.

2. Decide whether you will pack a box for a girl or a boy, and the age category: 2–4, 5–9, or 10–14.  If you would like to follow your box labels and discover the destination of your shoebox gift, go online to donate $9 and receive a label to Follow You Box.

3. Fill the shoebox with gifts. Here are some suggested items to pack:

• a medium to large “wow” item to capture a child’s attention (doll or soccer ball with pump),
• toys (jump rope, marbles, toy car, harmonica),
• school supplies (pencils, erasers, colored pencils, pens, pencil sharpener, solar calculator),
• non-liquid hygiene items (soap with holder, toothbrush with holder, comb, band-aids),
• accessories (t-shirt, socks, hair clips/bands, flashlight, sunglasses),
• crafts,
• a personal note,
• remember to include your $9 donation per shoebox.

4. Do Not Include (these items cannot be shipped, so please do not include them in your shoebox gift): Candy; toothpaste; gum; used or damaged items; war-related items such as toy guns, knives, or military figures; chocolate or food; seeds; fruit rolls or other fruit snacks; drink mixes (powdered or liquid); liquids or lotions; medications or vitamins; breakable items such as snow globes or glass containers; aerosol cans.

5. Pray for the boy or girl who will receive the shoebox gift.

6. Drop off your shoebox gift to a Collection Center, like Redland during National Collection Week, November 18-25.

Contact Nancy Faulconer for more information or to volunteer.
Visit the Samaritan's Purse Operation Christmas Child website for more information on what they do.