Operation Christmas Child 2009

[RobynCD]

Operation Christmas Child 2009

Here is something that I would like to share with all my SC friends.

Every year, my family participates in Operation Christmas Child. This is a program run by Samaritan’s Purse (a non-denominational Christian organization) that collects shoebox gifts and distributes them to children in need around the world at Christmas time. In addition to the gifts, Operation Christmas Child also offers other programs for the communities that are chosen, including BioSand water filters, food programs, and Christian ministry.

This year, boxes collected in Canada will be delivered to the following countries:

Central America & the Caribbean

Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Haiti, Nicaragua

South America

Argentina, Bolivia, Chile, Paraguay, Uruguay, Venezuela

West Africa

Cote d’Ivoire, Equatorial Guinea, Guinea Bissau, Senegal, Sierra Leone

My family first sent shoebox gifts with OCC in 1994 when I was 9 years old. Our first box went to a little girl in Bosnia whose family was greatly affected by the civil war there. I have since carried this tradition on with my own children, and this is the first year that my 3 year old has helped to pack a box. It is an immensely rewarding experience, and a lot of fun too, some families even receive letters back from the children who get their boxes!

I know all you Smart Canucks love to shop, and you can easily put a box together for under $20. You don’t have to be Christian to do this either! For most of the children receiving these gifts, it will be the first gift they ever get, and they certainly change lives!

Here’s what you do:

Choose the age range and sex that you will make your box for (2-4, 5-9, 10-14), take any standard sized shoebox (cardboard or plastic), and fill with the following:

- school supplies (notepads, pencils, erasers, stickers etc)

- hygiene items (toothbrush, comb, soap)

- small toys and books, noise makers

- additional items (hat, gloves, socks, flashlight, t-shirt, individually wrapped hard candy, sewing kits and small hand tools are great for the 10-14 age range etc)

- a personal note and/or photo

Once your box is filled, affix a label (from the website) and include a minimum donation of $7.00 per box (can be paid on-line) to help with shipping and handling. Donations of $15+ are eligible for a tax receipt. Then drop your box off at a collection location (list on the website) during collection week (November 16-21)!

Please DO NOT include:

- toothpaste (due to customs regulations)

- food, soft, chewy, or crumbly candy (including gum) (due to customs regulations)

- playing cards

- liquids, or items that could leak, melt, freeze, or break (shampoo, cream, lip balm, mirrors, glass etc)

- items that could scare or harm a child (war-related toys, knives, toy guns etc)

For more info: http://www.samaritanspurse.ca/occ/

I collect my shoebox items through out the year, after Christmas sales are fantastic for finding deals, I’ve also found amazing clearance deals at Liquidation World, Fields, and the Bargain Shop. Dollar Stores are always good too!


I challenge you, my fellow SCers, to make a box of your own to send! Post pics of your boxes. Lets see how many we can send out!!!

[RobynCD]

Here are the boxes we are sending this year:

Boy aged 2-4

Contents:

Colouring book, paint with water book $1.00 each

Scribbler $0.55 (Bargain Shop)

Crayons $0.50

Stickers $0.50

Toy truck $2.00

Canada ball $1.50

Teddy bear $2.77 (Bargain Shop)

Sesame Street book $0.88 (Bargain Shop, post X-Mas sale)

Christmas board book $0.25 (Bargain Shop, post X-Mas sale)

Plastic Cup $1.88 (Walmart)

Plastic Fork and Spoon $1.88 (Walmart)

T-Shirt $3.00 (Walmart)

Sandals $1.00 (Liquidation World)

Face cloth $1.00 (Walmart)

Soap Free (Dove soap, coupon find)

Toothbrush $0.66 (Jysk, pkg 3/$2.00)

Comb ?? (came in big pack for $0.25 at Liquidation World)

Maple lollipop $0.10 (clearance, Walmart)

Canadian Flag Free (Canada Day freebie!!)

Plastic Shoe Box $2.74 (Walmart)

Fleece blanket $1.99 (Liquidation World)

Total $25.20

Boy aged 5-9

Contents:

2x Scribbler $0.55 ea

Colouring Pad ?? (Big pack from dollar store)

Pencil Case $1.00

5 Pencils $0.15

3 Pens $0.30

Eraser $0.15

Pencil Sharpener $0.50

Crayons $0.50

Stickers $0.50

Ruler $0.25

Spare Batteries Free (Coupons)

Solar Calculater $2.00

Christmas notepad $0.25 (Bargain Shop, clearance)

Flashlight $1.50 (Fields, clearance)

Toothbrush $0.66 (Jysk, pkg 3/$2.00)

Comb ?? (came in big pack for $0.25 at Liquidation World)

Soap Free (Dove soap, coupon find)

Soapdish $0.50

Face Cloth $1.00 (Walmart)

Christmas pop-up book $0.44 (Bargain Shop, post X-Mas sale)

Mini Fairytale books $0.10 ea (Fields clearance)

Mini Puzzle $0.44 (Liquidation World)

Spinning Top $0.75

Harmonica $2.00

Toy Car $1.96 (Bargain Shop)

Toy Moose $1.00

Marbles $1.00

Harmonica $2.00

Bouncy Ball ?? (Big pack of b-day supplies)

Gloves $1.00 (Fields)

Socks $0.50 (Fields, clearance)

Hard Candy $1.00 (Mixed, Fields)

Canadian Flag Free (Canada Day freebie!!)

Plastic Shoebox $1.67 (Walmart)

Total $24.32

Girl, aged 5-9

Contents:

2x Scribbler $0.55 ea

Colouring Pad ?? (Big pack from dollar store)

Pencil Case $1.00

5 Pencils $0.15

3 Pens $0.30

Eraser $0.15

Pencil Sharpener $0.50

Crayons $0.50

Stickers $0.50

Ruler $0.25

Spare Batteries Free (Coupons)

Solar Calculater $2.00

Christmas notepad $0.25 (Bargain Shop, clearance)

Flashlight $1.50 (Fields, clearance)

Toothbrush $0.66 (Jysk, pkg 3/$2.00)

Comb ?? (came in big pack for $0.25 at Liquidation World)

Soap Free (Dove soap, coupon find)

Soapdish $0.50

Face Cloth $1.00 (Walmart)

Christmas pop-up book $0.44 (Bargain Shop, post X-Mas sale)

Mini Fairytale books $0.10 ea (Fields clearance)

Mini Puzzle $0.44 (Liquidation World)

Spinning Top $0.75

Bouncy Ball ?? (Big pack of b-day supplies)

Gloves $1.00 (Fields)

Socks $0.25 (Bargain Shop, post X-Mas sale)

Wooden Whistle $1.00

Toy Horse $1.00

Sewing kit $1.50 (Walmart)

Jump rope $1.00

Hair accessories ?? (Huge pack for $0.25 at Liquidation World)

Canadian Flag Free (Canada Day freebie!!)

Hard Candy $1.00 (mixed, Fields)

Plastic Shoebox $1.67 (Walmart)

Total $20.61

Anything without a specific store attached was purchased at a dollar store. I prefer to use plastic shoeboxes, because then the child’s family can reuse it for storage, water transport, etc.

All packed up and ready to go!!

[VeeVee]

This is so nice Robyn, when I was child we used to do this in school!

[AmberLab]

I've done this before, but with using a regular cardboard shoebox. I think your idea of a reusable plastic box is much better. And it can be probably bought at the dollar store as well.

[Mia001]

i tried to find out a drop point in my area and it said that Canada Safeway stop collecting shoes boxes for OCC

anyhow, you gave us a good idea

[RobynCD]

I know Greyhound Canada collects the boxes, as well as many schools and churches.

[Littlemoe0]

A few of us where I work did this a couple years ago, then the next year we never heard anything about it from the local church. Gonna see if they are still involved with this. Love the idea of the plastic boxes, man you had your thinking cap on for that one, awesome idea.

[Skippy]

We do this each year as a Family Tradition.
It is a very worthwhile cause.

[matrix82]

wonderful. Thank you for sharing. Also this gives us plenty of time to get our boxes started and in before the deadline.

[FreebieChick]

I remember my Grandma doing this many years ago! Thanks so much! I will start making up a box right away!!!

[RobynCD]

I am SO happy that my SC family is on board with this

[improperganda]

This is awesome!! i'm doing it for sure! thanks for the info!

[Natalka]

We always do this, as well. In Saskatoon, Safeway has the boxes to fill.

[thecountess]

Awesome Robyn!

[LoRaOz]

We did this for the past 2 years at work between the four of us that worked in the back office we send 40-50 boxes. And did a collection to pay for the shipping it was a great experience. We sent the reusable plastic boxes and though it would be better because maybe the parents of the children getting them would love to use them.