For information on How To Pack a Shoebox, check out this helpful video:
http://www.samaritanspurse.org/index.php/OCC/Pack_A_Shoe_Box/

Operation Christmas Child brings joy and hope to children in desperate situations around the world through sharing the good news of God’s love. This project allows people of all ages to become involved in helping others. Millions of shoe boxes are collected world-wide each year and then delivered into the hands of children. Last year, individuals, families, churches, and groups in Florida packed over 255,000 shoe boxes. My prayer is that FBC will play a significant role in increasing these figures and in helping those in need. We can answer the call to help hurting children and reach hearts for Christ. Each of these gifts can become your own little individual or family mission trip right here in your home town. Please take advantage of all the things we are offering you to help make the OCC project easier to handle and to help make this a huge success for Christ. Contact me with any questions you may have or if I can be of any assistance.

Madison Nichols
(904)880-3064

Have you ever gotten a package that was so beautifully wrapped you didn’t even want to open it? Has there been a time when you received a gift and you could hardly wait to see what was inside? This is a small example of the way the children who are touched by Operation Christmas Child (OCC) feel. The gifts that come from your family to Samaritan’s Purse and then delivered to so many needy children change their lives. They hold them in their little hands as if they are holding pure gold. As they dig deep inside to get the nerve to take the paper off, their little eyes fill with tears as they behold the treasures inside. The power of these shoe boxes is far reaching, and this small gift not only touches the heart of the children but also potentially affects those close to them. Use this wonderful opportunity not only to help others but also to allow God to use the preparation of your boxes to touch your heart.

Can my class still accept boxes after our assigned month has passed?
Yes, boxes can be collected after your assigned time month. There will be crates scattered through out the church for collection during the entire OCC Project months.

Should we use regular cardboard shoe boxes?
Yes, but I have found the plastic shoeboxes that can be purchased for around $1.00 were very useful. They could be re-used to carry water and food for the families. Please use the 6 quart size.  Using the standard size helps with processing and shipping.

What should I fill the box with?
Please see the list below for suggested ideas. Take advantage of the sales offered for back-to-school things to help with filling your boxes. Please be sure that the box lid closes tight if not use rubber bands to secure the lid.

What if an individual or a class would like to help with the shipping of boxes instead of actually filling boxes?
This would be great.  There are two ways to make your donation.   Remember, each box costs $7.00 to ship.

Online using EZ Give
EZ Give is a simple, convenient way to make your shoebox donation online by using a credit or debit card at the Samaritan’s Purse website.  If you are also filling a shoebox, you can find out which country received your shoe boxes.  After completing your donation, print out the special EZ Give shoebox labels included in your e-mail receipt.  Use these labels on your shoe boxes.  You’ll receive an email letting you know which country received your shoeboxes.     

Donate Now Online

or...

By Check  
Checks should be made out to Samaritan’s Purse for the amount they would like to donate.  Note “Operation Christmas Child” in the memo portion of the check.
Please remember if you pay with a check, it could be several months before it is cashed.
Place checks in a envelope labeled, “Operation Christmas Child”
Turn in your envelope to your director, and he/she will make sure it goes to the Missions office.
You may place your check in an envelope marked “Operation Christmas Child/Missions Office” and place it into the offering plate as another option.

Can each family do more than one shoebox?
Yes, the more the better.

For information on How To Pack a Shoebox, check out this helpful video:
http://www.samaritanspurse.org/index.php/OCC/Pack_A_Shoe_Box/

A picture and a note from your family
Undershirts
Underwear
A fun T-shirt
Gym Shorts
Socks
Toothbrush
Toothpaste*
Dental Floss
Sharpened Colored Pencils
Sharpened Pencils
Pens
Pencil Sharpener
Coloring Books
Notebook Paper
Solar Powered Calculator
Flip Flops
Small toys (cars, jump ropes, balls, Slinky, etc.)
Yo-yo
Harmonica
Small Stuffed Animal
Sunglasses
Jewelry (love those plastic colored bracelets with sayings on them)
Deodorant* (not liquid-only solid)
Journal
Wash Cloth

Soap* (mild bar soap)
Comb
Hard Candy and Gum* (Lifesavers, lollipops, peppermints, etc.)

Hairbrush
Hair things
Fingernail Clippers
Baseball Hat
Band-Aids
Powder Make-up* for older girls (not liquid)
Picture Books
Flashlight with Batteries (extra batteries)
Watch

*Please double bag these items in Ziploc bags to avoid them ruining other items in the box

Please do not include food items, items made of glass, aerosols, toy weapons, medicines/vitamins or liquids.

Please find below a list of how your class/department can become involved in this wonderful opportunity:
•    Start early by praying for the child and family that will receive your boxes.
•    Pray that the month you have been assigned will be a convenient month for each class member to become involved.
•    Pray that the perfect things will be purchased to go inside your boxes (I can promise you the kids that get these boxes are praying for this too).
•    Pray that when your boxes are received in those little hands that God’s love will flow and touch the hearts of those around them.
•    Fill your boxes with the literal breath of your prayers.
•    As you fill your boxes give thought and prayer to the things you purchase.
•    Make sure you are thinking about those who possibly have nothing and that your gifts will become their only possessions.
•    Pray as you bring your gift boxes to FBC that they will survive their long journey to reach the perfect child. Pray the children will feel our loving arms reaching out from the treasures and hugging those who need to be hugged.
•    Pray they will be touched by God’s love.
•    Pray they will crave to read their tracts/books that come with the OCC boxes. May they anxiously learn about the good news of our precious Heavenly Father.
•    Most of all, pray millions will come to know Jesus as their real and personal Savior because of these precious gifts.