Operation Christmas Child via the 'Net

 

             

It's Operation Christmas Child shoebox time again.  We won't miss it if we can at all help it. 

 In the times BC (Before Covid) we would pick up items throughout the year when I would find a good sale.  Then on 31 October we would make a list of those things we still needed to finish up our boxes.  We would head out for some fun shopping.  After we were done, a meal out ended the evening.

 Can't do that anymore.

 But we can still give OCC shoeboxes!  

By going to the Samaritan's Purse web site you can "build a shoebox online".   https://www.samaritanspurse.org/operation-christmas-child/buildonline/    You can select what age and gender you'd like to make a box for.  "Essential" items (school supplies, toothbrush, grooming kit) are then added in.  The "WOW" item is next - doll, stuffies, or soccer ball.  Then comes 3 small toys to pick from a list... (I wonder how many harmonicas are throw far away by a mama who is sick of hearing them?)   Two accessories are next... we pick flip flops and a T shirt.  Your box is now full!

 Final thing to do is to include a note and photo to go in the box (so get a nice picture of your family ready in advance).

 The total cost for using the build a box option is $25 - which includes the $9 shipping & handling costs.  All that stuff inside for only $16... what a bargain.   And if you wish, you can add $6 to fund a Bible school afterwards for each of the children.  This is where they will hear what these boxes are all about.

 This year we did 6 boxes... 

I picked for my three boxes to go to baby girls in the age range of 2 years to 4 years old.  Just like this little nugget!

Himself chose to do his three boxes for boys in the oldest range... ages 11 to 14 years old.  This group is the least selected by people packing shoe boxes. 

If you decide to do the online box building, you can do it even after the national drop-off time is over.