Operation Christmas Child is a project of Samaritan’s Purse, an international relief organization. Their mission is to provide local partners around the world with shoe boxes filled with small toys, hygiene items, and school supplies as a means of reaching out to children in their own communities with the Good News of Jesus Christ. These simple gifts are shipped outside the United States to children affected by war, poverty, natural disaster, famine, and disease; and to children living on Native American reservations in the U.S. This year, Western Loudoun Community Church has a goal to fill 250 shoe boxes for Samaritan’s Purse Operation Christmas Child! There are several ways to help us reach our goal:
- Build a shoebox online.
- Pick up a shoebox (or a few!) and fill it! Return your packed shoebox to WLCC on Sunday, November 17.
- Donate financially to Operation Christmas Child though Easy Tithe. All donations will be used toward box fillers and shipping costs.
- Donate bulk items so that we can pack the shoeboxes at our annual Box Packing Party on Sunday, November 17!
The following is a list of suggested donations to fill boxes for boys and girls in the following ages ranges: 2-4, 5-9, and 10-14. Please don’t feel confined by the list, but do consider donating bulk items. Links to inexpensive bulk quantities are provided for your convenience but do not indicate the only source.
Samaritan’s Purse has requested that we NOT include any items with a military theme, no food or candy, and no liquid (including toothpaste).
We will be collecting donations through Wednesday night, Nov 3, to allow us to prepare for our box packing party on Sunday, Nov 17.
- Deflated soccer balls/American footballs (suggest shopping at Five Below and ask for balls from the stock room, as they will still be deflated)
- Pumps for balls (Dollar Tree online purchases can be delivered for free to the store)
- Sunglasses
- Stuffed animals
- Toothbrushes
- Toothbrush holders
- Soap
- Soap dish
- Washcloths
- Combs
- Pencils
- Pens
- Markers
- Crayons
- Colored pencils
- Erasers
- Pencil sharpener
- Notebooks
- Flashlights/headlamps w/batteries
- Multi-tools (Dollar Tree online purchases can be delivered for free to the store)
- Dolls (Dollar Tree online purchases can be delivered for free to the store)
- Toy cars
- Hats
- Socks
- Flip flops
If shopping at Amazon.com, please consider using Amazon Smile and selecting Western Loudoun Community Church as your charity of choice.