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How to pack a shoebox for Operation Christmas Child
The first step in packing a shoebox gift is simply get an empty shoebox.In order to allow
more children to receive boxes, Operation Christmas Child asks that we use relatively standard-size
shoeboxes.Plastic boxes or regular cardboard shoeboxes are fine.We especially like to use plastic
boxes because we have heard that the children's families often use the boxes to carry and store water.
We always try to wrap our cardboard boxes because some of the children consider the wrapping paper
to be a gift in and of itself. If you wrap your boxes, make sure the top is wrapped separately so the box
can be opened and checked at the national processing centers where Operation Christmas Child often
adds a Bible story book in the child's language. The plastic boxes do not need to be wrapped- we just
lay a piece of tissue paper inside the box before we pack it, so the children do not see the items inside
before they open their gift.
The second step is to decide what type of child will receive your gift.You can select a boy or a
girl in three different age divisions:2-4 years old, 5-9 years old, or 10-14 years old. You can also
decide whether the child will be in a warm or cold climate and then select yor items accordingly.
The third step is to shop for your child's gifts. Items that are particularly appropriate for
including in a shoebox are:any small toys, dolls, balls, cars, stuffed animals, harmonicas, yo-yos, jump
ropes, flashlights (with extra batteries), crayons, pens, pencils (with sharpener), markers, paper,
coloring books, journals, stickers, solar calculators, toothbrush, toothpaste, soap (in a ziplock bag),
washcloth, comb, small pack of tissues, hair clips, jewelry, socks, t-shirts, hats, flip-flops, small purses,
fast-food meal toys, and hard candy. All candy, chewing gum, etc. should also be in a ziplock bag
because all candy, including hard candy and gum, has the potential to melt and ruin a shoebox. As an
extra measure of protection, you could place the bag of candy in a hard plastic cup, as we have heard
that many children are excited to receive a cup of their own.
Items that CANNOT be shipped in a shoebox gift include: any liquids (shampoo,deodorant, lotions,
snowglobes, glue, etc.), aerosol cans, anything glass, anything that will melt or freeze, any chocolate or
food, any war-related toys such as toy guns, knives, army figures, and medication and vitamins.
As you finish packing your shoebox, it is a good idea to write a personal note and even include a
picture of yourself or your family for the child who receives ypur gift. Yhis year, a child in our church
received a letter and a picture of the little girl in Madagascar who received her shoebox gift from last
year.
The fourth step is to include money for shipping. The cost of processing and shipping a
shoebox is $7.00. You can include extra shipping to cover some or all of the cost of shipping other
gifts if you want, but this is not necessary. Checks can be made out to Samaritans Purse International
Operation Christmas Child and a check or cash can be placed ON TOP of the items in the shoebox to
be removed at the national processing center. If you pack more than one shoebox, all of your shipping
money can be placed in a single box.
The final step is to put a rubber band around the shoebox and send it on it's way!The Operation
Christmas Child Regional Collection Center for this area will be at Junction City First Baptist Church
(1 mile south of Wal-Mart on Hwy 127) during the week of November 16-23. Shoeboxes can be
dropped off from 12:00 noon - 2:00 p.m. on Monday, November 16th and Tuesday November 17th;
from 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. Wednesday, November 18th, Thursday, November 19th, and Friday November 20th;
from 10:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. Saturday, November 21st, and 12:00 noon - 8:00 p.m. on Sunday, November 22nd.
Your shoebox gifts will then head off to one of the national processing centers, where they will be
prepared for shipping to children to over 99 countries worldwide.
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