Christianity With Tracey

One of my favorite things to get involved in at Christmas is Operation Christmas Child.

What the organization (headed by Franklin Graham) does is collect shoe boxes full of goodies and needful items for children around the world.

Churches across America (and perhaps other countries…I don’t know!) serve as collection points for folks to bring by shoe boxes (it is especially helpful to use the plastic ones from, say, Wal-Mart that are about $1 each-you can find them in the plastic storage area in house wares.

You fill the shoebox with the recommended items, mark on the box if it is for a boy or a girl, (see this link) and take it to your (or the designated) church or nearest drop off location.  It’s that easy!

Our church collects items throughout the year from us.  Each month, in our church bulletin, a new set of items is listed.  They are usually items that would be on sale at this time of year; i.e., school supplies were listed in September.

This is such a blessing to get involved in.  Just knowing that you are getting a gift box out to a child who is very poor is so sweet.

Please, visit the Operation Christmas Child website, even if you don’t have a church that gets involved, and see how you can help.  You don’t have to do a whole shoebox.  You could donate some of the small items that are needed, shoeboxes, or even money!  It costs money to send these shoeboxes, too!

My children love getting involved in this as well.  It is great for them to see that they can help other children out that don’t have as much as they do.

Wow…you know, I need to hurry up and get my shoeboxes, too!  The collection week is November 17-24!