Operation Christmas Child at Bethany Lutheran Church
The Operation Christmas Child shoe boxes from Samaritan's Purse bring joy to kids in desperate situations around the world each holiday season. The program is an opportunity for people of all ages to be involved in a simple, hands-on mission project while focusing on the true meaning of Christmas. Each donated Operation Christmas Child shoe box ends up in the hands of a child in need and offers them love from around the world.

Once again Bethany Lutheran Church will be a gathering place for both filled boxes and donations for the contents as well as the cost of sending each box.

Ways to help this project include:

Find a shoe box
Get an empty, medium-sized shoe box, and wrap the box and lid separately in colorful wrapping paper or pick up a pre-printed shoe box at Bethany. Attach the appropriate boy/girl label, marking if your gift is for a boy or a girl. Select an age category 2-4, 5-9 or 10-14 and attach the label to the top of your shoe box.

Fill with gifts
Fill your shoe box with a selection of fun toys, hygiene items and school supplies. If possible, include one or two special items you know a child will love such as a doll, cuddly toy or deflated football with pump.

Make your project donation
A suggested donation of $9 is essential to cover project costs, including shipping, to enable a local church or group overseas to lead a safe, well-organized children’s event where your shoe box will be given to a child in need.

Pray
Pray for the child who will receive your gift. You can also include a personal note and photo of yourself or your group.

Drop off your shoe box
Place a rubber band around each closed shoe box and take it to Bethany Lutheran Church between the 1st and 15th of November.

Please bring your donations before Wednesday, November 15th.

Suggested Donation Items

Note: There has been some changes to regulations and certain items such as candy and hygiene products are no longer allowed. Click here for a complete list of what can or cannot be included.

Necessities:
  • Underwear
  • Socks/shoes
  • T-shirts and pants or pillowcase dress
  • Combs/hairbrushes
  • Toothbrush (no toothpaste)
  • Soap (in a baggie or sealed container)
  • Washcloths
  • Nail clippers/files
  • Drinking cup or other plastic dishware
  • Blankets
  • Bandages

School Supplies:
  • Coloring books
  • Crayons/coloring pencils/markers
  • Pens/pencils/sharpeners
  • Eraser
  • Writing pads/paper
  • Scissors
  • Glue sticks (no liquid glue)
  • Solar calculators
  • Rulers
  • Small adhesive tape
  • Watercolor paint sets
  • Stickers

General
  • Sunglasses
  • Flashlight with batteries
  • Small picture books
  • Travel games
  • Stuffed animals
  • Stickers
  • Wind-up toys
  • Finger puppets
  • Slinky
  • Puzzles
  • Etch-A-Sketch
  • Play-Doh
  • Toys that light up/make noise
  • Musical instruments (harmonicas, flutes, kazoos, etc.
For a Boy:
  • Nerf type balls
  • Soccer ball with pump
  • Small cars or trucks
  • Plastic dinosaurs
  • Legos
  • Wallets
  • Watches
  • Baseball caps
  • Yo-yos
  • Paddleball
  • Plastic tools

For a Girl:
  • Baby dolls
  • Barbie dolls
  • Toy jewelry sets
  • Jumping ropes
  • Jacks
  • Hair bows/clips, etc
  • Music box
  • Purse
  • Stationary
  • Small beauty sets (comb, brush, plastic mirror)

DO NOT INCLUDE:
  • NO Candy of any kind including gum
  • NO toothpaste
  • NO War related items (toy guns, knives, soldiers, etc)
  • NO Liquids (shampoo, glue, nail polish, deodorant, lotion, etc.)
  • NO Medicines (vitamins, cough drops, etc.)
  • NO Glass or breakable items (mirrors, china dolls, snow globes, etc.)
  • NO Chocolate or food items including fruit snacks, fruit rolls, seeds, or drink mixes
  • NO Aerosol cans
  • NO Used or worn items