Last year, we toured Samaritan’s Purse headquarters during our fall trip, and when November rolled around, we decided to pack some Operation Christmas Child shoe boxes. This year, we have been buying things on sale during the year, and thus we will be able to pack more boxes with our available finances.
Mary and I have been watching for toys and clothes on sale. We always try to browse the clearance section when we are shopping. Sometimes we find good deals, but sometimes we leave empty handed. It’s been exciting to watch our pile grow. After Resurrection Sunday, we went shopping and found cute stuffed animals and candy on sale. Our best find was children’s winter hats at 10 cents each. Another time we had a $5 off coupon for Joann’s and were able to get yarn that was on sale for the older girls’ boxes.
“Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this,
To visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction,
and to keep himself unspotted from the world.”
James 1:27
Anna,
I just found some notepads and little cups/bowls/silverware at Walmart that will fit perfectly in shoeboxes for 0.25 each!
That’s a fabulous ministry! I’ve been in several countries where OCC boxes have been distributed and it really makes quite an impact.
Dear Anna,
I do this for the Salvation Army Angel Giving Tree. I shop all year-round. This year, Sears was having a sale online and I was able to find PJs for 99 cents. I find that I get better deals online. It’s great that you and Mary are doing this. So many kids are in need. FYI Boys are overlooked. So the Major from the Salvation Army asked me to donate boy clothes and toys.
We love Operation Christmas Child! My kids are now teenagers and have been packing shoeboxes through OCC since they were preschoolers. It’s such a tangible way to share God’s love with “the least of these.” Some of the things we look for every year are flip flops in the summertime (right now WalMart has flip flops in all sizes for 98 cents), school supplies in July/August, and knit gloves in the fall (last year WalMart had them 2 for $1). We also save non-meltable candy and beads from our local 4th of July parade and include them.
Thank you for the reminder!
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That’s great!
We love packing shoeboxes each year for OCC.
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Wonderful!
This is awesome! I was planning to do this this year with other women, and now you have inspired me to start being on the lookout for items right now! 🙂 Love your ideas for the boxes too. God bless ya’ll!!
A wonderful ministry opportunity. Ashton was able to help pack and ship boxes from the Colorado warehouse a few years back- it was a life-changing experience for her. Shopping year round is a great way to be able to stock up on items inexpensively!
I never would have thought of this. I just found a bunch of canvas slip on shoes on sale at Old Navy and bought a bunch for my own kids. I’ll have to go back to get more for our boxes. Thanks for the fantastic idea!!
What a wonderful way to give back; you all truly have a servant’s heart for the Lord. It is incredibly encouraging to read about all of the ways you give back and in doing so you are spreading the word of Christ our Lord!
Your sister is Christ,
Katie
This is a wonderful idea. How many are you hoping to be able to fill? If you did this last year I would love the link to the post.
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We don’t know how many we’ll be able to do. This is the post we did last year about it: https://blog.titus2.com/2014/11/05/would-you-like-to-impact-a-life-for-eternity/
Our family has been doing this for years! I wish we had a bigger box to keep it in, but that is all our spare room year round. Volunteering at the warehouse (checking the boxes and taping them shut) is so much fun and we have met great people from our area. Thank God for this ministry.
We do boxes for OCC as well, my kids love to pick things for the boxes. We always do it in Nov though, im not much for planning ahead, LOL. They specifically ask that you not include chocolate, food or outdated candy. 🙂
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Nice thing is non-chocolate, fresh candy works great. 🙂
Try to find jump ropes and include them. They are a prized possession of most girls in impoverished areas. keep in mind anything sent will be heavily used and they have no resources to replace so quality is always appreciated over quantity.
We go thru the clearance racks at Carters Outlet and find a ton of great stuff for children. if you get a chance take a field trip. You will be amazed what you can find for pennies on the dollar.
Another thing that is well received is any type of hair clips and head bands. Stay away from bows as they collect critters.
We have done quite a bit of work in this area. My only word of advice is to cut the tags off of everything. As you can imagine the locals working with the recipients of the care packages are not much better off. It cuts down on the urge to parse thru the boxes to find items to resell.
Nice.
Wow some great hints in the comment section! Thanks for inspiring me Cathie (& of course the Maxwell women)