LEARN MORE
The mission of Operation Christmas Child is to provide God’s love in a tangible way to children in need around the world, and together with the local church worldwide, to share the Good News of Jesus Christ.
Each shoebox is filled with toys, gifts, and personal items to bless a child somewhere around the world.
Collection Times:
Drop off at Door 1
Monday 11/18 - 10am - 12 pm
Tuesday 11/19 - 4pm - 7 pm
Wednesday 11/20 - 12pm - 4pm
Thursday 11/21 - 4pm - 7pm
Friday 11/22 - 10am - 12pm
Saturday 11/23 - 9am - 12pm
Sunday 11/24 - 12pm - 3pm
Monday 11/25 - 10am - 12pm
VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITY:
Sign up to help with one of the Drop Off Dates.
CLICK HERE to sign up and help!
HOW TO PACK A SHOEBOX
#1 FIND A SHOEBOX
Start with an average-size cardboard or plastic shoebox. If you want to wrap it, cover the box and lid separately.
We also have OCC shoeboxes available at church. Pick one up on a Sunday or at door #5 during the week.
#2 GIRL OR BOY?
Decide whether you will pack a box for a girl or a boy, and the age category: 2–4, 5–9, or 10–14.
#3 FILL WITH GIFTS
Select a medium to large “wow” item such as a soccer ball with pump or stuffed animal, then fill with other fun toys, hygiene items, and school supplies.
#4 PRAY
Most importantly, pray for the child who will receive your gift. You can also include a personal note and photo.
#5 ADD YOUR BOX LABEL
Labels are available at church or online.
ONLINE: Donate $10 online and receive/print a label to Follow Your Box and discover the destination of your shoebox gift.
#6 DROP-OFF AT GRACE FELLOWSHIP
Take your shoebox gift to a local drop-off location during National Collection Week, Nov. 18-25, 2024.
ABOUT OPERATION CHRISTMAS CHILD SHOEBOXES
To her delight, when she opened her shoebox gift at the outreach event, she found a pack of fine-tipped, colored markers sitting right at the top of her box! They were just the kind for which she’d prayed! Also, inside the box was a ball and a pink stuffed animal, as well as other toys and a notebook for drawing, but she loved the markers best of all.
Romina’s Story | Ecuador
LEARN MORE HERE
What is Operation Christmas Child?
The Samaritan's Purse project Operation Christmas Child collects shoebox gifts filled with fun toys, school supplies, and personal care items—and delivers them to children in need around the world to demonstrate God's love in a tangible way. For many of these children, the gift—filled shoebox is the first gift they have ever received.
Since 1993, Operation Christmas Child, the world's largest Christmas project of its kind, has collected and delivered more than 209 million shoebox gifts to children in more than 170 countries and territories. In 2023, Operation Christmas Child hopes to collect enough shoebox gifts to reach another 11 million children. This year, Operation Christmas Child will celebrate its 30th year of ministry!
Process
Anyone can pack a shoebox. Individuals, families, churches and groups fill empty shoeboxes with school supplies, personal care items, and fun toys, such as dolls or soccer balls.
During National Collection Week (Nov. 18–25, 2024), Samaritan's Purse will collect the gift filled shoeboxes at more than 4,500 drop off locations in all 50 states and Puerto Rico.
Learn how to pack a shoebox, view gift suggestions, find the nearest drop-off location, and Follow Your Box at samaritanspurse.org/occ.
Do not include candy; toothpaste; used or damaged items; war related items such as toy guns, knives or military figures; seeds; chocolate or food; liquids or lotions; medications or vitamins; breakable items, such as snow globes or glass containers; or aerosol cans.
Participants who prefer the convenience of online shopping can browse samaritanspurse.org/buildonline to select gifts matched to a child's specific age and gender, then finish packing the virtual shoebox by adding a photo and personal note of encouragement.
Scope
Shoebox gifts are collected in Australia, Austria, Canada, Finland, Germany, New Zealand, South Korea, Spain, Switzerland, United Kingdom, and the United States.
More than 10.5 million shoebox gifts were collected globally in 2022, 9.3 million from the U.S. alone. In 2023, Operation Christmas Child hopes to collect enough shoeboxes to reach another 11 million children.
Eternal Impact
Delivered into the hands of children through local churches, every shoebox gift is an opportunity to share about Jesus Christ and God's love.
Since 2009, 35.4 million shoebox recipients have participated in our 12-lesson discipleship course, The Greatest Journey. More than 24.9 million children have graduated from this program with over 17.4 million boys and girls making decisions for Christ.
In 2023, Operation Christmas Child is celebrating 50 million children discipled.