ABOUT OPERATION CHRISTMAS CHILD
The world’s largest Christmas project of its kind, Operation Christmas Child, uses gift-filled shoeboxes to demonstrate God’s love in a tangible way to children in need around the world. Since 1993, the Samaritan’s Purse project, Operation Christmas Child, has collected and delivered more than 135 million gift-filled shoeboxes to children in more than 150 countries and territories. In 2016, Operation Christmas Child collected enough shoebox gifts to reach 11.4 million children. Shoebox gifts are collected in the U.S., Australia, Finland, Germany, Japan, New Zealand, Canada, Spain and the U.K. n More than 500,000 volunteers worldwide, with more than 100,000 of those in the United States, are involved in collecting, shipping and distributing shoebox gifts.
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COLLECTING ITEMS NOW!
Last year, Hope Chapel packed over 150 “shoeboxes” during its packing party for “Operation Christmas Child.” This year we would love to see over 200 boxes packed at the packing party. We begin collecting items during Vacation Bible Spectacular.
PACKING PARTY = SEPTEMBER 23, 4 – 6 PM
Help us put together as many boxes as we have items for. It’s a time to pack but we also party to celebrate afterwards.
WAYS TO GET INVOLVED
COLLECT ITEMS
Items such as small stuffed animals, school supplies, no-liquid hygiene products (combs, brushes, toothbrushes, bar soap), T-shirts, socks, hats, sunglasses, hair clips, jewelry, watches, flashlights and small toys, balls, and games are great. more approved item ideas
DONATE FOR SHIPPING
$9 delivers them around the world. Ships, trucks, and airplanes transport millions of shoeboxes to the countries where they will be distributed. Once there, local churches use many modes of transportation to get them to children in need as a tangible expression of God’s love. Donate to Hope Chapel, memo: OCC.
PRAY
Prayer is needed for each of these boxes as they will be used to bring hope and joy to children around the world. The boxes, along with your shipping donation, helps Samaritan’s Purse (OCC) train and equip local churches to use “The Greatest Gift Gospel” Booklets, which are written in the children’s language and distributed along with shoebox gifts to share the Good News of Jesus Christ.
HOST YOUR OWN PARTY
Host your own packing party with your moms group, scout troop, or club. We can help you get organized, get the word out, and collect your boxes when you’re all done.
TWEET, SNAP, AND INSTAGRAM
Sharing this information in your own social media network is a great way to spread the word about this great project. We’ll post some graphics below so you can let people know you’re excited about OCC and how they can be too.
VOLUNTEER DURING COLLECTION WEEK
Hope Chapel is a collection relay site for our region. During collection week (TBA), our building will be open for local churches, clubs, and individuals to bring in their boxes. Training is required and helpful leading up to the week. Email Bethany below for more information.
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