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 14th of November.
Please bring your donations before Wednesday, November 14th.
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