Operation Christmas Child

Operation Christmas Child brings joy and hope to children in desperate situations around the world through gift-filled shoe boxes. Since 1993, more than 61 million shoe boxes have been packed, shipped, and delivered across the globe. People of all ages can be involved in this simple, hands-on missions project while focusing on the meaning of Christmas.

I've done this myself for many years. It's very rewarding, fun and helps a kid have some fun on Christmas where they would normally just view it as "another day." Please do it up! Even dollar store items can make a kid's whole year! - Tara

National Collection Week is November 17-24.

How to Pack a Shoe Box

1. SHOE BOX

PRINT THESE INSTRUCTIONS AND LABELS
Click to download.

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. BOY OR GIRL?

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.

3. FILL WITH GIFTS

Fill the box with a variety of gifts that will bring delight to a child. Use the gift ideas provided on the bottom of this page.

4. INCLUDE YOUR DONATION

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 EZGIVE 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. DROP OFF

Place a rubber band around each closed shoe box and drop off at the Collection Center nearest you during our collection week November 17 - 24.

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

GIFT IDEAS

TOYS
small cars, balls, dolls, stuffed animals, kazoos, harmonicas, yo-yos, jump ropes, small Etch A Sketch®, toys that light up or make noise (with extra batteries), Slinky®, etc.

SCHOOL SUPPLIES
pens, pencils and sharpener, crayons or markers, stamps and ink pad sets, 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 (with extra batteries)

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

DO NOT INCLUDE:
Used or damaged items; war-related items such as toy 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

NEED LABELS?
Click to download.

SHOE BOX LABELS

Click on the image here for printable artwork of the labels and a donation form. If you are not using our online EZGIVE option, fill out the form and include it in your box with your donation to receive a tax receipt. (Gifts are tax deductible to the full extent allowed by law.)

National Collection Week is November 17-24, 2008.

Operation Christmas Child operates hundreds of collection centers across the country. These centers will be open during the week of November 17-24. If you need information on drop-off locations, have any questions or want to know what the purpose of this organization is, please visit the Operation Christmas Child website!

Help The Gulf Coast Recover From Hurricane Gustav! - A Message From The Oxafam President

This blog will not be updated very often this month and possibly a bit of next month. Tara is in the process of preparing her boyfriend for driving school, moving, and getting her cats adjusted to their new home at her mothers house in anticipation of being more permanently on the road as a truck driver. Please stay tuned and thank you for the support!

Dear Readers,

Hurricane Gustav struck the Gulf Coast yesterday, damaging fragile communities still recovering from Hurricane Katrina.

Over 2 million people have evacuated the region. Effective government efforts helped save lives, and the damage was less intense in some major metropolitan areas than many feared—but at-risk, low-lying communities are flooded, roofs are torn off, crops are destroyed, and residents face major challenges in rebuilding their lives.

Our staff is already on the ground. We have been there since Hurricanes Katrina and Rita, working closely with 25 organizations in Mississippi and Louisiana, and we will continue to help our local partners provide relief supplies, volunteer labor, and rebuilding assistance. The need is great.

Please donate now and help Gulf Coast residents recover from this disaster.

Gustav took a direct path through vulnerable communities that Oxfam has supported since Hurricanes Katrina and Rita, and where rebuilding efforts are still not even halfway finished.

Homes, businesses, community centers, and churches have been damaged in coastal communities, both by high winds and flooding. Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal has called Gustav "a serious storm that has caused major damage."

We just got word from Peg Case, director of TRAC, Oxfam's partner organization in Houma, LA. Houma was directly in the path of the storm, and TRAC is focusing on coordinating the efforts of 30-40 relief organizations—a critical role to ensure an effective response.

Peg is still waiting to hear whether her house is safe, and she expressed concern for bayou communities hit by the storm surge. "We know there's water in there," she told us. "How high, we don't know."

Hurricanes Katrina and Rita have left people significantly more vulnerable to this hurricane. Many are still living in trailers or mobile homes. Their homes are halfway rebuilt, their savings exhausted, and most are unable to purchase insurance. Seniors, poor people, people who are disabled, and immigrants are particularly vulnerable.

Your donation will help more people return to their homes and their lives more quickly.

We will be monitoring the situation as it progresses in the coming days and ensuring your support goes directly to where it's most needed. Stay tuned to www.oxfamamerica.org for the latest updates.

Thank you so much for your generous support at this critical time.

Sincerely,


Raymond C. Offenheiser
President
Oxfam America