If you're new here, you may want to subscribe to my RSS feed. Thanks for visiting!
I know it’s a little early to be thinking about Christmas, but it’s not too early to be thinking about Operation Christmas Child. Otherwise known as the Shoebox Ministry, Operation Christmas Child collects shoe boxes full of toys and miscellaneous other items for children overseas who would not otherwise receive any Christmas gifts.
This is a great way to teach your children about giving. Each year I fill up a box for a boy my son’s age and a girl my daughter’s age. I have my children help select items for the boxes and pack them up. It helps to remind my children that they are very blessed with the life they have here in America. It also helps bring home the fact that Christmas isn’t all about toys and candy. It’s about giving and celebrating Jesus.
If you’ve never heard about Operation Christmas Child, I encourage you to check it out. If you’d like to participate, but don’t know where the nearest collection center is, there is a zip code finder on the Operation Christmas Child website. The National Collection Week is November 12-19, which is coming up soon. So now is the time to get involved!
Visit Rocks in my Dryer for more tips!
If you enjoyed this post, make sure you subscribe to my RSS feed!
Karla ~ Looking Towards Heaven says:
we are doing this here too. I love it.
blessings,
karla
October 23rd, 2007 at 8:50 pm
Jill says:
We adopt a local family and fulfill their Christmas wish list. I also try and pick a little girl the same age as mine is. She has really learned about giving this way and actually looks forward to buying gifts for “a little girl who doesn’t have many toys”
October 23rd, 2007 at 8:54 pm
Heather says:
My kids love Operation Christmas Child.
October 23rd, 2007 at 8:58 pm
liz says:
We have already purchased our plastic shoe boxes and are filling them up! I let my boys (ages 3 and 20 months) work on one for a boy in the 2-4 year-old age category. And then I’m going one for a girl in the 10-14 year old category. It’s such a great organization and a great way to get even little children involved in giving!!
October 23rd, 2007 at 9:10 pm
childlife says:
We’ve done this a number of times and really enjoyed it! Thanks for reminding me about it - this would be a fun year to involve my oldest in a project like this.
October 23rd, 2007 at 9:45 pm
Erin says:
Yay, I love doing Operation Christmas child! When I was younger I would put away a dollar every week and then spend it buying things for my shoebox to give away. It was a great way to start learning about giving money to mission/charity.
October 24th, 2007 at 2:33 am
mummymac says:
We sent our to School last Friday.
Great Idea to spread the word.
October 24th, 2007 at 5:39 am
SAHMmy Says says:
Thanks for the tip–I’m looking forward to participating in the kid-centered charities this year; last year my son was only 2 and had a hard time letting things go, so we bought all girl toys and he was happy to give them away! This year I’ll buy toys for an older boy. Hopefully next year when he’s four he’ll be able to happily buy toys HE would love and give them away cheerfully.
October 24th, 2007 at 6:29 am
Kathleen Marie says:
I have done this in the past but hadn’t thought of it yet this year. Thanks for the wonderful reminder!
October 24th, 2007 at 10:40 am
Jennifer Partin says:
I love this idea—-we have something similar here in Japan. Your right, it’s a great teaching tool.
October 25th, 2007 at 4:37 am
Mary Wagen says:
Does anyone know where I can get red and/or green plastic shoeboxes to fill for Operation Christmas Child? I live in southern California. Thanks for any help.
November 2nd, 2007 at 1:48 pm