I love this program.  We have been involved with it for a lot of years, but somehow this year has gotten away from me and I can not believe that November is almost over!

Operation Christmas Child is run by Samaritan’s Purse and is a Christian organization, but you do not need to subscribe to any particular religious beliefs to participate, though if you are very anti-religion I suppose you would not want to participate.  personally I think of it as children helping children.

The mission statement:

Operation Christmas Child brings joy and hope to children in desperate situations around the world through gift-filled shoe boxes and the Good News of God’s love. 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 true meaning of Christmas.

How does it work?

You need to get an empty shoe box, or similarly sized container, and fill it with a variety of gifts.  They offer suggestions on how to mix the practical and the fun.  We always include tooth brushes, toothpaste, those little shrink wrapped washclothes from the dollar store.

I love this program because  it really does help the chidlren think of those less fortunate, especially children their own age. I always have them make a shoebox for a child that is the same age and sex. 

This is National  Collection week, so you had better get on it.  You can find a list of donation centers where you can drop off your shoeboxes simply by putting in your zip code.