November is a Month of Giving here on Wild Olive, and today I'm so pleased to share a special giving opportunity with you and your family.
First, think about a time when someone gave you a simple gift. Maybe your husband brought you your favorite Starbucks drink, your child picked some dandelions for you, or a blogging friend sent you a hand-doodled postcard. None of these cost a lot or took much time, but they were given in love and gave you joy.
Imagine never having received such a gift. Ever. It's difficult for us, because most of us have people who care enough to give us both simple and sometimes extravagant gifts at times.
Operation Christmas Child is a program that provides children with good news and great joy...through a shoebox full of small gifts. Over 100 million shoebox gifts have been given over the years, and I'd like to invite you to give the next one (or two, or ten!).
Check out how to pack a shoebox, including what you should and shouldn't include, at the Operation Christmas Child site. These gifts don't need to cost a lot or take much time, but they'll mean the world to the children who receive them. Tomorrow I'll be sharing something simple and handmade to add in with the other goodies that you choose.
After you pack your box(es), you'll need to get them to Samaritan's Purse for distribution. If you attend a church that participates in the program, bring them there, otherwise, you can find a drop-off location here.
Or, if you're in the northern suburbs of Chicago, I'd love it if you came to the packing party that we're having at my church! We'll be watching the new Veggie Tales movie, Merry Larry and the True Light of Christmas, having some treats, and packing and wrapping our shoebox gifts.
The event will be on Friday, November 15th at 7pm, at Alpine Chapel in Lake Zurich, IL. Questions? Drop me an email!
I do hope that you consider making Operation Christmas Child part of your giving this year. Whether you go out shopping for items for your box, come pack those items with me, or go online to build a box, I know that your simple gift will bring good news and great joy...to a child...and to you.
My hubby and I just picked up our box yesterday! So excited to fill it.
ReplyDeleteMe & my Sis are doing a boxes this year. I have put loads of goodies, plus a fabric, roll up draughts set that I made. It is great to do and makes my children think of others, and not just themselves at this time of year.
ReplyDeleteWe always adopt a family through my husband's work, but I'd love to do this too. I think it'd be a great way to teach my kids about giving. Maybe we'll do a box for a little boy my son's age, and he can help pick items to put in it and help pack it. I think I'll ask the ladies in our play group if they'd be interested in making a box too, and then I can drop off all the boxes for them.
ReplyDeleteDoing 4 boxes this year and made 4 hearts to tuck in them last night. Great idea!
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