Please collect items to help fill the shoe boxes. (list of gift items below)

The Power of a Simple Gift

The power of a simple shoe box gift can be far-reaching, blessing both the child who receives a box and the person who prepares and fills it.

The following stories exemplify how God is using Operation Christmas Child and the follow-up Bible lessons to touch the lives of children, their families and entire communities. Through these simple gifts, the message of God's love is being shared around the world and many lives have been impacted for eternity.

One Child's Story
A little girl living in an orphanage in Kazakstan received a shoe box full of gifts along with the other children in the orphanage. When she received the gift, she was happy, but she confided in her house-mother, "I appreciate the gift, but what I really need is parents." This Christian care-giver simply replied "Well, just pray and ask God for parents." When the girl opened her shoe box, along with the wonderful assortment of gifts there was a card and a photo from the family who gave the box - a couple with no children. She prayed, and then wrote to the couple - thanking them for the gifts and explaining her circumstance and how she was praying to God for parents. The American couple, so touched by this little girl, found their way to her village in Kazakhstan to meet her. They ended up adopting the little girl. But that's not the end to the miracle in this shoe box ... their miracle so touched other childless couples they knew, that several other families went to the same orphanage and adopted children!

Operation Christmas Child brings joy and hope to children in desperate situations around the world through gift-filled shoe boxes and the Good News of God's love. This program of Samaritan's Purse provides an opportunity for people of all ages to be involved in a simple, hands–on missions project while focusing on the true meaning of Christmas–Jesus Christ

GIFT IDEAS

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; out-of-date candy; liquids or lotions; medications or vitamins; breakable items such as snowglobes or glass containers; aerosol cans