Make a Child Smile This Holiday Season

Learn More About Operation Christmas Child

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By Jacie Elizabeth Millen
Photos provided by www.samaritanspurse.org

Operation Christmas Child is an organization built to support and have an impact on children around the world who are less fortunate.  Under the umbrella of the Samaritan’s Purse organization, they do many other missions, too, such as the world medical mission, child ministries and feeding programs. To be apart of such an amazing organization is such a blessing because to impact even one child in another country, can be a true, life changing experience. This program not only provides grace for children, it also is a deep blessing to all who give by teaching us how to be grateful for all the things we have and offer compassion for those children who have very little.

You and your family can easily get involved with Operation Christmas Child by filling shoebox-sized boxes (any size shoe box works) to the brim with small toys, whistles, school supplies, hard candy (nothing that would melt) and anything else that might bring a smile to a child’s face. Givers can choose the gender and age of the recipient and tailor the contents of the box to that demographic. Some suggestions are: toothbrush, toothpaste, comb, stuffed animals, etc. Next, you can either go online or write a check made out to Samaritan’s Purse for $7.00.  This small fee covers shipping and other costs.  

Another way you can get involved is by visiting www.samaritanspurse.org and pack a box online with a few clicks of a mouse. You can personalize what you want in your box, such as a note or a photo, where volunteers will pack what you select. The best part about this project is that it’s so easy to get involved with, whether it be through your church, your child’s school or right at home. Filling boxes is fun, easy and enjoyable to do with children and grandchildren. You can even throw a packing party with all your girlfriends or get with a study group and pack boxes together. All ages enjoy this selfless act.

Lastly, is dropping your packed boxes off at a collection site in your area. Most importantly is to pray for the child that gets it.  Local Collection sites are: Grace Community Church and Central Church in Hilton Head; Indian Hill Baptist Church, Stokes Toyota and Beaufort Community Bible Church in Bluffton.  All these sites will be collecting boxes from Monday, Nov. 17th to Sunday, Nov. 23rd.
You can also you can write letters and put pictures in your boxes so that when your child opens their box on Christmas Day, he or she will receive the kind letter from whom their presents came from.Although it doesn’t happen every time, I was lucky enough to receive a letter from the child I reached.  It’s crazy how God works in mysterious ways: He can connect people from all around the world, but Operation Christmas Child gives you that push to start.
Ready, set, get packing!

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