About Operation Christmas Child
Operation Christmas Child, a project of Samaritan’s Purse, is a ministry that helps children around the world. It is a way for the body of Christ to bring smiles and laughter to families across the globe while also opening the door to sharing the Gospel and the love of Christ with those who might never otherwise experience it. Since the ministry began in 1993, approximately 100 million shoe boxes have been filled!

How to Give
If God has laid a desire on your heart to give to be a part of this ministry, here is what you need to know:

1. First of all, you need to get either a standard size empty shoe box or a small plastic container. Also, it is important to begin praying for the child who will eventually receive your gift. 
2. The next thing you need to do is to determine whether you would like your gift to be for a girl or a boy as well as the age group of the child: 2-4, 5-9, or 10-14. Next, put the appropriate label on your box. (There is a brochure for Operation Christmas Child at the information desk in the foyer of the church with this information as well as appropriate labels for your box, or you can visit the Operation Christmas Child website to print out any information or labels that you may need.)
3. The third step is to fill the box with gifts that you think will make a child smile! Some gift suggestions made by Operation Christmas Child are: school supplies, toys, hygiene items, or other gifts such as small clothing items, jewelry, or watches and flashlights with extra batteries. You can also enclose a picture of your family as well as a note from yourself to the child. If you include your name and address, the child may write back! Do not include: used or damaged items; war-related items such as toy guns, knives or military figures; food, out-of-date candy, or chocolate; liquids or lotions; medications or vitamins; breakables; aerosol cans. For more information on what to include or not to include, please refer to the website or brochure.
4. The next step is to include a $7 donation for each box, because shipping shoe boxes overseas is costly. There is a donation envelope attached to the brochures available in the church foyer, or you can print one out from the website.
5. The last thing to do is to place a rubber band around each closed shoe box, drop it off at the church on or before National Collection Week, November 12-19, and continue to pray for the child who will receive your gift! If you are unable to drop your shoe box off at the church, you can mail it to: Samaritan’s Purse, 801 Bamboo Rd, Boone, NC 28607.