Operation Christmas Child
October 5 - November 9
Operation Christmas Child provides children around the world with shoeboxes filled with small toys, hygiene items, and school supplies as a means of reaching out with the Good News of Jesus Christ. This year, our church's goal is 150 boxes, 125 regular boxes and 25 Build-a-Boxes online. Keep watch of the goal tree in the foyer, each tag represents a returned box.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Operation Christmas Child?
Operation Christmas Child is a project of Samaritan’s Purse, an international relief organization. Our mission is to provide local partners around the world with shoeboxes filled with small toys, hygiene items, and school supplies as a means of reaching out to children in their own communities with the Good News of Jesus Christ. We ship these simple gifts outside the United States to children affected by war, poverty, natural disaster, famine, and disease.
What does the optional $10 donation include?
Your $10 donation to Operation Christmas Child, a project of Samaritan's Purse, helps us train and equip local churches to use our Ministry Partner Guide. This resource shows churches how to share the Good News of the Lord Jesus Christ in a child-friendly way. Your donation also provides The Greatest Gift Gospel Booklets, which are written in the children's language and distributed along with shoebox gifts.
- The Greatest Gift Gospel booklet, available in more than 100 languages, is given out alongside your shoebox gifts. With the Apostle John as narrator, the booklet shares 11 Scripture stories in a child-friendly manner and invites children to follow Christ.
- The Greatest Journey is a discipleship experience offered by local churches to many of the children who receive shoebox gifts. The 12-lesson program introduces boys and girls to salvation through faith in Jesus and encourages them to grow as faithful followers. The program also connects children to local churches who can, through discipling relationships, teach and nurture children in faith.
What items are allowed in shoeboxes?
These frequently addressed items ARE allowed in shoebox gifts:
- playing cards
- batteries (in original packaging or with both ends taped)
- wet wipes or plain alcohol wipes
- toy spiders/bugs/snakes
- superheroes or other licensed characters
- items with company logos
- all types of scissors
- squirt guns (that don’t look like real guns)
- glow sticks
- compact mirrors
- lip balm (non-medicated)
- playdough (store bought)
- solid stick deodorant
- makeup (non-liquid)
- adhesive bandages (non-medicated)
- disposable or reusable feminine hygiene products
- eating utensils
- marbles
- Bibles or other religious literature or symbols
What items are NOT allowed in shoeboxes?
- SOAP
- Vaseline®
- scary items (things that will frighten a child rather than bring joy)
- war-related items (such as toy soldiers, military vehicles, or wearable camouflage)
- liquid paint sets or liquid glue
- rubber balls with liquid filling
- liquid lip gloss
- matches or fire starters
- seeds
- sand/rocks/shells gathered from nature
- all types of food, candy, or gum
- medications or vitamins
- toothpaste
- nail polish
- money or play money
- baby powder
- baking soda
- razors
- liquids or lotions
- breakable items or glass containers
- aerosol cans
- used clothing or toys