Operation Christmas Child

This is drop-off week for Operation Christmas Child.

If you're not familiar with Operation Christmas Child, look into it. It's a program of Samaritan's Purse:

Samaritan's Purse is a nondenominational evangelical Christian organization providing spiritual and physical aid to hurting people around the world. Since 1970, Samaritan's Purse has helped meet needs of people who are victims of war, poverty, natural disasters, disease, and famine with the purpose of sharing God's love through His Son, Jesus Christ.

The organization serves the Church worldwide to promote the Gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ.

Samaritan's Purse is run by Rev. Franklin Graham, son of evangelist Billy Graham. And Operation Christmas Child is a project of Samaritan's Purse. It's to "share the joy of Christmas and the love of Jesus Christ with suffering children around the world."

Operation Christmas Child delivers shoe boxes to children in need. And you can help.

Use an empty, standard size shoe box or a small plastic container. If you wrap it, wrap the box & lid separately.

Decide if the gift is to be for a boy or a girl, and what age: 2-4, 5-9, or 10-14. You can print out a label here. Fill out the label and tape it to the top of your box.

Put your gift items in the box. Here's their suggestions:

• TOYS
  small cars, balls, dolls, stuffed animals, kazoos, harmonicas, yo-yos, jump ropes, 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, writing pads or paper, solar calculators, coloring and picture books, etc.


• HYGIENE ITEMS
  toothbrush, toothpaste, mild bar soap (in a plastic bag), comb, washcloth, etc.


• OTHER
  Hard candy and lollipops (please double bag all candy), mints, gum, T-shirts, socks, ball caps; sunglasses, hair clips, toy jewelry, watches, flashlights (with extra batteries)


• A PERSONAL NOTE
  In a separate envelope, 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 may write back.)


• Do Not Include:
  Used or damaged items; war-related items such as toy guns, knives or military figures; chocolate or food; liquids or lotions; medications or vitamins; breakable items such as snowglobes or glass containers; aerosol cans

Then, include $7 to cover shipping and project costs.

Finally, take the box to a drop-off location. You can find a location near you here.

We've worked with the grandchildren about getting boxes together. And we're delivering them to the local drop-off this week.

I'm asking you to look at Operation Christmas Child and consider if it's worthy of your support.