Message of Hope to children in desperate situations around the world through gift-filled shoe boxes and Christian literature. This program provides an opportunity for individuals of all ages to be involved in a simple, hands-on missions project that reaches out to suffering children while focusing on the true meaning of Christmas–– Jesus Christ, God's greatest gift. In 2005, we collected over 7.6 million shoe boxes worldwide and distributed them to children in about 95 countries.

(In 2006 Faith Lutheran sent 45 boxes
to be shared with children this Christmas)

Bring your SHOE BOX GIFT to Church 

1. This Christmas, you can share the love and hope of Jesus Christ with a needy child in a country like Uganda or El Salvador by using a simple shoe box. Operation Christmas Child is an easy missions project that every member and family can participate in by bringing a gift-filled shoe box to church

2. Christmas is about sharing the gift of God's Son, Jesus Christ, with the world. You can share His love with needy children in Honduras, Kosova, or another country by taking part in Operation Christmas Child. Help spread His love and peace to a world in need by being part of this special Christmas project.

3. Don't forget to bring your shoe box gift to church. What a perfect gift to give in honor of Jesus' birthday!

Find an empty shoe box. (You can wrap it——lid separately——if you would like, but wrapping is not required.)

Decide whether your gift will be for a boy or girl and choose an age category: (2-4), (5-9), or (10-14). Attach the appropriate BOY/GIRL LABEL on the TOP of your box and mark the correct age category.

Fill your shoe box with a variety of gifts:

Toys: small cars, balls, dolls, stuffed animals, plastic kazoos, harmonicas, yo-yos, small Etch A Sketch®®, toys that light up or make noise (with extra batteries), Slinky, etc. School supplies: pens, pencils and sharpener, crayons or markers, stamps and ink pad sets, coloring books, writing pads or paper, solar calculators, etc. Hygiene items: toothbrush, toothpaste, soap, comb, washcloth, etc. Other: hard candy, lollipops, mints, gum, sunglasses, flashlights with extra batteries, ball caps, socks, T-shirts, toy jewelry sets, hair clips, watches, small picture books, etc.

Do NOT include the following items: Used items, War-related items (toy guns, toy soldiers, knives, etc.), Perishable items (chocolate, canned foods, crackers, etc.), Liquids (shampoo, lotion, bubbles, etc.), Medicines (vitamins, cough drops, ointment, etc)., Breakable items (mirrors, china dolls, etc.)

You may enclose a note to the child and a photo of yourself or your family. (If you include your name and address, the child who receives your box may write you back.)

Complete this FORM and enclose it in an envelope with $7 or more to help cover shipping and other costs. Please place the envelope so it is clearly visible on top of the gift items. (Checks are recommended rather than cash. If you or your family are filling more than one shoe box, you may make one combined donation in a single envelope inside any one of your boxes.) Place a rubber band around your shoe box and lid.

(The processing and shipping costs are enormous for such a massive project. Unfortunately, many kids spend all they can for the gifts and cannot afford a donation to help cover these costs. You can help by "adopting" a box for $7, just click on the link below.)

http://www.samaritanspurse.org/OCC_EZGive.asp