Many of you know about the mission called
Samaritan's Purse. Each year around this time, SP does a ministry called Operation Christmas Child. This is where they ask those of us who are able to pack a regular size shoebox full of necessities and goodies for children all over the world. The boxes are then packed up and sent to different countries and handed out to children as Christmas gifts. Sounds simple right? It is but there are some things you need to know.
1) We are asking your to use a
REGULAR size shoebox. We know you mean well when you fill a boot box but the boxes are placed in larger shipping boxes and we MUST average 14 shoeboxes per shipping box. Field teams place their "orders" for the boxes and SP decides how many of the larger shipping containers to send them based on the avg of 14 shoeboxes per shipping box. If they place an order for 140 boxes, they will receive 10 shipping boxes. If some of the boxes only have 11 or 12, someone is getting left out.
2) If you do not have a regular shoebox, the plastic containers from the Wal-Mart (some people actually buy them to hold their shoes) are perfect. Not only can they carry your items to the child but the child can then use the container to help out their families. Many families have to travel/walk to get clean water and the container serves as the perfect child size container for them to help carry water back to their home. Many of them are too small to carry the large containers their parents do.
3) Many of these children need basic things such as underwear, socks, soap, toothbrush, toothpaste, etc. While we hope you can send a toy or fun thing in your box, they also need the bascis too. Please try not to forget to pack these items along with something fun.
4) Shipping is $7 per box. This is not mandatory for the shipment of your box but is extremely helpful. If you have more than one box, please place all your money in the envelope in ONE box only. They will remove the money anyway and this just makes it easier. IF you want to pay
online, you will be able to print your box label on your home printer. It comes with a UPC type code and you will be able to
TRACK YOUR BOX!!! That is so amazing because you will know where your box ends up.
5) If you want to send a box but are unable to get out to shop or are too busy, I am offering to do the shopping for you. For only $25, you can "adopt a box" to send. This amount covers all the items AND the shipping! If you are interested in doing this, please contact me ASAP! We start collecting boxes on 11/16 and they have to be ready to go to Boone, NC (the main shipping place for our regions) by Sunday afternoon. Either leave a comment here or call me @ 423-361-4893.
6) Here is a list of things that can be put in boxes and things to NOT put in the boxes.
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
