this is a project our family loves to take part in.
i used to bring my kids with me to shop for the gifts that go in the boxes
but i don't do that anymore….it was too crazy.
and they want to buy EVERY thing.
now i buy things throughout the year when they go on sale…..school supplies especially.
but i also buy a bunch the last month alongside my groceries.
and store it until i am ready to fill our boxes.
we watch the video on samaritanspurse.org. (the same one that is posted above)
and i cry. every. single. time.
my kids say "are you crying?!!!"
of course i am.
it's heartbreaking.
then my kids fill the boxes.
each of them made a card for their box.
we add a family photo and our address if they would like to or are able to write back.
this year we will donate online so we can see exactly where our boxes go.
AWESOME!
our church collects them and then drives them to a collection center.
you can look HERE to see where the nearest collection center is to you.
i wish i had posted this earlier to give you more time to get supplies.
this week is the collection week.
it's not too late!
you could do it all in one shopping trip…today!
or any time this week.
you can do it.
go to samaritanspurse.org for any information.
it's ALL there.
Mary - I know this comment is late…late… I had a very long thanksgiving. 🙂 But I wanted to say “thanks” for packing boxes. I got to see kids recieve boxes and it’s awesome. I worked at a childrens home in thailand for a few years and we got Operation Christms Child – SO FUN! (thanks on behalf of the kids!!) Have a Merry Christmas! Love -Mary
Tara M. - I cried. We packed three. We sent them. Love this!
Jen D. - The MOPS group that I attend participates in OCC every year. Today our table put together one for a little boy. It was so much fun to bring in what we could and see what we could cram into the shoe box. Every year we play the DVD from Samaritan’s Purse and I cry every year. We have so much here and I often struggle to focus on the blessings. Thanks for the inspiration and you fabulous blog. Warmly, Jen D.
Holly - I love this! I am going to check it out. Breaks my heart that kids are excited to get toothpaste! =( Toothpaste should just be a necessity! Makes my heart break!
jennibell - Thanks for the link Megan! I shared this video with my kids before we filled our boxes. They each wanted to include a note and picture like your family does 🙂 I’m a substitute teacher and the 6th grade class I was with today are collecting items for class boxes so I shared this video with them too. (Not sure all the Christianity was appropriate but it is the group of people that deliver these boxes. . .) I think it really inspired the class to go home tonight and find items for their boxes! I hope so. Thanks for posting.
Courtney Walsh - Our new church does this too and I can’t wait to do it. We’ve done it before, but we missed last year. I think it’s going to be so so awesome. 🙂
Leigha - What a great project…and one we will adopt this year as well. Thank you for the generous inspiration!
Leigha
Kristin F. - This is one of our favorite things to do each holiday season. We packed our boxes last night! I posted about OCC today and included a link to your post :).
Thanks for being fabulous – you are a daily must-read!
Keri ~ forever folding laundry - I *love* this.
We’re doing it.
God in action = amazing!
jaz - We did something very similar a few christmas’ in a row down under – my mom and I LOVED doing this. It is so wonderful , so lovely to give, so satisfying. Such a good tradition to rekindle now that I’m settled here in america.
You are awesome meg. So loving, so thoughtful, so giving, and you are passing on a legacy of love to your children. They will grow up wonderful beings because of you.
The world is certainly a better place because you are in it.
xox
Cari - We turned in our shoeboxes last night! And I’m so excited to track them this year!! GREAT idea to gather things throughout the year. I’m totally going to do that (instead of scrambling at the last minute & frustrated the budget didn’t allow for more).
Jodi - We participate in this too. Two years ago, I was able to go help (along w/ others from my Church) at the Atlanta distribution center. We are going again this year and I’m SO excited!!
The Fairy's Apprentice - Thank you for this post. Great suggestion, I will do it with my kids this year. Is not too late.
Jessica - We packed our box tonight! So glad they have EZ Give Tracking now.
donna - the best part of christmas is giving to those in need. last year, i organized an adopt a needy family with our high school hockey team. we all took part in this wonderful program through focus hope in Detroit. both our jv and varsity (i had a son on each team) adopted four (large) needy families in detroit. we bought each member of the family clothing, toys, or whatever they needed. We also supplied food for their christmas dinner. of course, the best part was delivering the packages and seeing the joy on the families faces when we loaded their homes with presents and food – the excitment on the childrens faces and the hugs i got was all i needed for christmas. i took 12 hockey playing boys in my group – it was the most rewarding experience for all involved. although, my boys no longer play hockey, we have decided with a group of friends to once again adopt some needy families, i am so excited to take part in the program this year!!! if you are interested in this program in your city, contact focus hope or your church.
linda lou - my church has done this is the past and i hope we do it again this yr…i will check on! meg your a great example of God’s love (: blessings,
amber - My 3 year old daughter & 11 month son just shopped for OCC this past Friday:). My daughter had a lot of fun…but it was a little hairy. Especially when it came to buying the toys for someone other than HER. It’s a hard lesson, but I’m so glad she gets to learn it by giving to others. We’re donating online too! Sooo awesome…
crystal beutler - We did this with our youth group last year. It was one of the best gift giving service projects we’ve ever done. I plan to do it this year as part of of our 24 days of Christmas project at home. Wish me luck. 🙂
steph - i also cry EVERY SINGLE time i watch one of those videos. they always play them at church during a service a few weeks before collection time and i swear, there isn’t a dry eye in the sanctuary. so amazing… what precious little children. THEY bless US! seriously! we just bought a whole wackload of stuff yesterday and dropped the boxes off at our church this morning. such a great thing to do with kids. so fun and so important, especially in our crazed materialistic world. thanks for blogging about this… hopefully others can now be encouraged to take part! 🙂
jackie chappell - yikes .. thank you for reminding me ..
my shoe box was sitting here waiting to be filled for tommarrow morning at church .. they are collecting them down front on our alter and then praying over all of them .. mine will be there with them brimming full .. thanks again !!!
jackie from florida ..
=)
shiela - that’s very impacting!
Sharla - I just looked at the KCParent magazine and ripped out the information for this – wow, we must start doing it this year. Thanks for the extra motivation – I can’t wait to share with my boys.
Nicole Q. - We are thinking alike girl . . . we did ours today with the kids. We’ve never watched the video though – just added it to my list for this week!! We’ve never been apart of a church that did this just did it on our own. I’d love to see more people do it. I also love your “shop all year” for stuff. I also noticed you took stuff out of the packages – like panties and stuff. What a clever idea- you can fit so much more in that way I’m sure – I’m assuming it’s ok right? You have so many readers that I’m sure you just impacted this ministry so much. Love how God works!! Have a good weekend.
Rach - What a great idea. Found a drop off location not too far from us. Think we’re gonna have to participate in this one. Thanks for the info.
Kate B. - We show those videos every year – our church is a collection site. I cry EVERY SINGLE TIME. My kids love this!
Sugar Mama - After typing that last comment I went to the website and realized I can TOTALLY make this happen by the 22nd. I told my kids we were doing it… we are doing it.
Thanks for the motivation!
Sugar Mama - THIS week?! Dang! I had every intention of doing this with my kids. And it’s such a great idea to buy stuff throughout the year.
I love that you used the plastic container vs an actual box. Is that what more people are doing now? Makes sense. My kids and I adopt a local family every year and it DOES get crazy… they want to buy everything on the list. (I really wish we could do that).
Jessie Hurst - Our Mops group does this every year and I love it! We had a playgroup on Friday and the kids filled boxes while we were there. They took so much pride in filling in the boxes and it was so sweet to see kids ranging in age 1 to 6 working hard to fill their boxes.
laurenjean - Our MOPS group got together and did this !! Its one of my favorite Christmas traditions 🙂
Nikki - We do a similar thing here in Australia. I don’t think we can track our boxes though.
*LuLu* - So Awesome! I Love Doing Operation Christmas So Much!
Jenn N - We are just packing up our boxes this weekend. The kids are so in to it and feel great about helping others, and what a fun way to do it! This video chokes me up every time I watch it.
sara @ it's good to be queen - we do this every year too…for the ages/gender my kids are. this year i took them shopping with me. i usually don’t do that, but i had procrastinated so i had to. i like your idea of saving up stuff throughout the year. *hopefully* i will remember to do that next year. 🙂
Georgia - Such a lovely idea, i said it last year and ill say it again, i still cant find anuything like this in the UK argh, not least near where i live…. love the photos, there very colourful 🙂 x
Leslie P. - So awesome!! I blogged about Samaritans Purse today too! Love that you guys are doing the boxes. We went for the gift catalog idea this year. My kids loved looking through it to see the needs around the world.
Gina - You can donate online? How cool! We’ve done this before, but now we sponsor a little gal in Africa so we send here a big package in September and pray it gets there in time for Christmas! My kids love to choose out her presents.
Lesley - Hi Meg, followed your blog for years, but never commented before, love you and your family. what a great idea, never knew about this and just found out it operates in Australia too but I’ve missed the deadline, definitely will bookmark it for next year. I was thinking though how do you explain to your kids why santa doesn’t bring all children a gift? I’m not sure of your traditions but Santa still exists in our house (I have 7 year old twins) and I always find the santa story hard to explain when so many children around the world don’t get a gift at christmas time? Love to hear your view. Lesley
Heather - I did this with my four nieces and nephew this week. I do it by myself, but it is SO much more fun with kids. I gave them each an empty rubbermaid box the size of a shoe box and we went to the store with them and they filled them there. They knew our budget and had to do some mental math. I told them about it last week so that they could think about what they were going to get all week. When we were done we watched the video so they could “see” what they were doing and how it affected the kids the boxes were going to. An awesome project. Really.
Lesley - I stumbled onto your blog a while ago, and what an inspiration you are! I am always looking for new ways to teach my boys about living outside themselves and having compassion. I enjoy your projects and photos and am also encouraged to know that I am not the only one who weeps at the simple things in life 🙂 Blessings to you.
Nichole - I didn’t realize that they did this near here, but apparently they do! I’ve only done Angel Tree before, but for where I’m at poverty is pretty bad, so any charity helps.
Stephanie - My sons third grade class decided to make boxes this year instead of exchanging gifts at their Christmas party. They were able to gather enough donations for three boxes of supplies and shipping. It’s a wonderful program and a great way to encourage kids to think about other during the holiday season.
danielle - thanks so much for sharing. i look forward to giving!
Heather - My girls and I went yesterday afternoon to shop for the items. This evening we will watch the video, wrap our box, and pack it. The girls are very excited!
Tessa - We are filling our shoe boxes today. Love the idea of showing the kids the video before they fill the boxes … we see it during our church service … but they don’t. It will make it so much more meaningful to them!
Becky @ Farmgirl Paints - Such a great thing to do…we love it too. The hands and feet of Jesus!
Ashley - Hey! I just found your blog last night and have been reading as far back as I could since early this morning!! I am a 21 year old majoring in Accounting, striving to become a CPA, but desperately wanting to be a housewife and Mom just like you. I have known since I was little that that was my purpose in life, but have had to find other things to strive for until the time comes….. I have always said that I would have 5 children, but ultimately know that its up to God as to the definite details 🙂 Thanks for being an inspiration to me! Your post about Liza turning 100 really hit me when you were talking to the lady who was the oldest of 5 children, and you started crying because you said she just understood!! I cried when I read that because so many people find out what I really want to do with my life and think I am crazy for wanting to raise a large family and stay at home! Sorry for rambling, just wanted to say thanks for being so real! -Ashley
Denise - Oh Gosh! Good thing I read this today (after work and before cleaning) our boxes need to be at church with us in the morning and I totally forgot about them! Thanks Meg…and your ideas of things to send are great!
april - This is a great thing…
Becca - I saw your post about Operation Christmas child last year and you’ve inspired our family to start doing it this year 🙂 Thank you!
Lisa - Thanks for posting this. I love this ministry. Our family does this every year also. I didn’t know you could donate online and find out where the boxes go. SO COOL.
elizabeth highsmith - i’m so excited for the online giving and getting to see where they go!! i love this project too!
Amanda-ThriceBlessed - We love participating in OCC too! I am the P.O.C. this year at our church and its great seeing so many boxes come in. I *almost* took my kids with me to shop then thought better of it, so they will just get to fill the boxes. It is a great ministry!
Four Flights - Our church participates in the same exact program. It is wonderful and you’re right, heartbreaking.
Jen - We just filled our boxes.
teresa - We had the coolest thing happen one year…we sent a box off and later got a response from an Indian family who served in a ministry to street kids and orphans. Their son rec’d our box, and his name was “Benson,” which is my hubby’s mom’s maiden name. It was just a fun, heart-warming God-incidence.
Danielle H. - We are going to an Operation Christmas Child party today. I love those flashlights you got with the batteries included in the package. Wish I knew where to get those…today!!! Thanks for the inspiration again!
Lindsay - Some co-workers and I just bought our supplies for the boxes. I absolutely love OCC and I too cry at all the videos. I love that your kids are involved. I can’t wait to do this with my kids someday when I have some!
kat - I am totally crying after watching that video. This is such a important mission. I think my girls would love to be involved!
Kim - Thanks for posting Meg. I got a brochure from my daughter’s preschool, they are participating in it. It’s actually the first time I’ve ever heard of it. I’m very excited for my kids to be a part of this. I couldn’t figure out if I should take them shopping with me. Your post helped me see that letting the kids put the box together (along with the video) will work out great. Thanks again!
Mary - What a wonderful gift to give your children – to participate in such a wonderful Christmas tradition.
Trish @TheOldPostRoad - We do that each year! I posted about working at the Operation Christmas Child processing center last year, here: http://theoldpostroadblog.blogspot.com/2009/12/operation-christmas-child-processing.html
I think we’ll try the online thing, too.
-Trish
Katie - Thanks for the pics of what you guys are giving. Very helpful as we head out today to get our supplies. We can bring our boxes to our church tomorrow and then we are going to pray over them! Our kids are at such tender ages 6 and 4 and they were affected by the video! Praise God…thanks so much!
aimee - my kids’ preschool does this! They are only three, so it was the first time I’d gotten to talk with them about other children in the world who don’t have as much as they do. We had a great time filling (and decorating!) our box. My twins’ teacher told us that if we wanted to add our address in the box (we put ours on the back of a photo) that the child might write us back!
SUCH a beautiful idea! Thanks for sharing! 🙂
Crystal @ Ordinary Days - Thanks for sharing this today. The video got me too. I was worried that I wouldn’t be able to find a collection location so I used your link and discovered that my Mother-in-law’s church is a dropoff location! I will share the video with my girls and take them shopping. I want them to have a good eye opener and see how it feels and what it means to help others. Thank you and I thank God you showed it to us. 🙂
Casey - Love, Operation Christmas Child! Our church has done this for as long as I can remember and of couple years ago when I was interning at The Tennessee Babptist Children’s Home I was able to be a part of the collection process. Such a neat thing to see!
Meredith - Oh, and by the way… when we watched the video, I cried too!! Can’t help it! Makes my heart happy and sad all at once! God is GREAT!!!!!
Meredith - What a great idea to work on getting items all through the year as they go on sale! I will remember that for next year! This is the first year that my daughters, 8 and 3, are participating and we are so excited to see where our box goes! Thanks for sharing!
Holly - What a wonderful idea! I’m going to check it out. Thanks!
angela - I had no idea you could track your box, My three year old granddaughter wanted to know WHO got the things in the box. This is great! Thank you for sharing. I will go donate now!!
Erin Leigh - Such a good idea to buy stuff at back to school time & throughout the year. It always sneaks up on me, thanks for the reminder. erin
Chaos-Jamie - I actually got to see my box in one of the mags one year. Made it SO real for us!