Community Project: Operation Christmas Child 2014

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Service Project: How You Can Help Us Give Back

At DMMB we hold community and service close to our hearts. We encourage you to join us this year for our Third Annual Operation Christmas Child Shoe Box Drive, November 17 – 24, 2014! 

Your family has the opportunity to make a difference in the life of someone in need by participating in the donation of a pre-packed shoe box for Operation Christmas. Such a simple project for the kids, but one that has far-reaching effects across the globe! 

About Operation Christmas Child:

OCC_logoOperation Christmas Child collects shoe boxes from all over the U.S. and distributes them to children in countries all over the world. A simple shoe box filled with toys, candies, and personal items can make a huge impact in the life of a child.

A shoe box is an amazing way to show our children how blessed we are and how sharing just a few things can make a huge difference in someone else’s life. Kids love picking out gifts to put inside and take great interest in making it perfect for a boy or girl similar to their own age. Many families track their boxes online to see where they are in the delivery process. It’s a great project in which to involve the whole family, neighbors, playgroups and more.

How to Pack a Shoe Box:

1.  Use an empty shoe box (standard size, please) or a small plastic container. You can buy these at Target, Walmart, Dollar General, etc. You can wrap the box (lid separately), but wrapping is not required. Most importantly, pray for the child who will receive your gift.

2.  Determine whether your gift will be for a boy or a girl, and the child’s age category: 2-4, 5-9, or 10-14. Mark the correct age category on the label, and tape the label to the top of your box.

3.  Fill the box with a variety of suggested gifts that will bring delight to a child.

4.  Please donate $7 or more for each shoe box you prepare to help cover shipping and other project costs. You can give online by using our “Follow Your Box Donation” option, or you can write a check to Samaritan’s Purse (note “OCC” on memo line) and place it in an envelope on top of the gift items inside your box. If you or your family are preparing more than one shoe box, please make one combined donation. Our family loves to do the “follow your box option” as we get to watch the box travel from Iowa to Minnesota then throughout the world! 

5.  Prepare your boxes and drop them off at one of the many area collection centers anytime during the week of November 17-24. That link will provide you with several area organizations and churches offering varied drop-off hours. Each Collection Center processes the donations received. The boxes are counted and then taken to distribution centers here in the U.S. From there, they begin their journey overseas.

If you wish, join the huge Packing Party at Valley Community Center in West Des Moines on Sunday, November 16 from 4:30-6:30 p.m. Bring your items to box up, or simply come help pack boxes or make a donation for new items to be included! 

valley OCC

If you have questions about this amazing project, please email me at sarah(at)desmoinesmomsblog(dot)com.

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