Operation Christmas Child is a project run by Samaritan’s Purse Organization that collects and distributes shoeboxes filled with small gifts to children in need around the world.
Who they are: Operation Christmas Child is a seasonal project (National Collection Week is in November each year) where donors fill plastic or wrapped cardboard shoeboxes with small gifts such as toys, toiletries, and school supplies. These shoeboxes are sent around the world to children in need.
What YOU can do to help: Volunteers are needed to fill and donate shoeboxes filled with small gifts. Volunteers are also needed at the drop-off site during National Collection Week in November.
***National Collection Week is November 16-23, 2020.***
The drop-off site in Gainesville is
Church of the Nazarene (352) 281-6584
5020 NW 23rd Ave.
Gainesville, FL 32606
Hours: 10a.m. – 3p.m.
If you want to send yours in the mail instead, the address is:
Samaritan’s Purse
Operation Christmas Child
801 Bamboo Road
Boone, NC 28607
Here are the specific guidelines on filling the shoeboxes:
1. Get a plastic shoebox with lid OR wrap a normal cardboard shoebox with holiday wrapping paper (wrap lid separately).
2. Decide if your gifts will be for a girl or a boy and decide which age group (2-4, 5-9, 10-14).
3. Print out a boy/girl label from the webpage and check the appropriate boxes.
4. Fill with gifts (ideas: small cars, dolls, kazoos, balls, stuffed animals, yo-yos, jump ropes, harmonicas, toys that make noise or light up with extra batteries, crayons, markers, stamps and ink, pencils and sharpeners, pens, solar calculators, coloring books, pads of paper, combs, washcloths, toothbrushes, bar soap, toothpaste, gum, mints, socks, ball caps, hair clips, sunglasses, watches, flashlights with batteries, hard candy in double bags, etc.)
5. Include $9 in the shoebox (if you can) to cover shipping and project costs. (You can donate $9 on their website instead, if you’d like.)
6. Put the lid on the shoebox, make sure the boy/girl label is taped on the top, and wrap a rubber band around it.
7. Take to drop-off location or mail.
**Make sure not include any damaged or used items, chocolate, food, liquids, medications, vitamins, breakable/glass items, vitamins, lotions, aerosol cans, or war-related items (toy guns, knives, military figures).