3 Ways You Can Fill Your Shoe Box All Year Round
Kingborough Family Church has always had a strong attitude of giving to Operation Christmas Child. Its enthusiasm and dedication to the shoe box appeal has seen the number of shoe boxes increase from 50 to 250 in just two years. What an incredible achievement!
Rather than leaving their shoe box shopping until later in the year, congregation members continually bring different types of gifts to the church throughout the year.
Then, later in the year the entire congregation holds a huge shoe box packing party, and a celebration dinner and variety night raises the $8 donation per box. It’s a sensational opportunity to bring the local community together and share with them the hope and joy that a Christmas box can bring to children in greatest need.
The church’s Operation Christmas Child organiser, Ann Kingsbury, reports that the campaign has become a valuable relationship building opportunity in the local community, with the church acting as an official shoe box drop-off centre.
After participating in Operation Christmas Child last year, the Kingborough Family Church in Hobart had a desire for its children to understand that they could continue to help those in need around the world throughout the year.
So the Children’s Ministry Coordinator, Ticia Glass, organised a simple fundraising walk around the church grounds to raise money for the Turn on the Tap campaign. It was an opportunity that was embraced by the whole church community, raising a healthy $400 for water projects in developing countries. “The congregation was so excited about the children getting involved in a practical way to help other children across the globe that they really reached out financially,” Ticia said.
The success of Operation Christmas Child is determined by the creativity and endless dedication of supporters like you. So why not encourage your church or school to consider some innovative ways to grow its commitment to Operation Christmas Child not only right now, but throughout the year!
3 ways you can fill your shoe box all year round:
- Collect gifts from the 6 categories through the year
- Have a packing party and invite your local community to your packing party
- Have a celebration event to raise the $8 donation per box
How Do You Fill Your Shoe Box? Leave a comment below and show others how you go about filling your shoe box each year.
August 10th, 2009 at 4:00 pm
I would like to put together 8 boxes for the christmas shoe box appeal, can you tell me How I go about it?
Regards
Nicole Hart
August 10th, 2009 at 8:58 pm
Often in Charity shops there are new clothes and small soft toys with the label still on all at greatly reduced prices. From discount stores I find pens, crayons, exercise books, tooth brushes, soaps, jewellery etc. I find staff in shoe shops very willing to provide suitable boxes. I have been packing about 8 boxes each year and find it very satisfying to feel that the excesses in our society can bring pleasure to those in need living in impoverished circumstances. Regards Marg
August 10th, 2009 at 11:30 pm
Hi Nicole,
Firstly decide the age group and the corresponding sex of the children you want to do a box for. There are three age groups (from memory) and of course two sexes. You may decide to do all eight boxes for the same age category and sex, or prefer to do a couple of boxes for each age and gender category.
Then start looking for age and gender appropriate items to fill the box, following the guidelines which Samaritan’s Purse issue as acceptable. This is most important to follow these guidelines -it makes it easier too altho’ sometimes frustrating, but it is for a good reason.
Think back to your childhood to the things that intrigued you and you valued and you can’t go far wrong. The boxes fill quickly so don’t buy large items as they simply will not fit in! For example: even though a recorder is a fun instrument for children, I have found that it doesn’t fit into the box too well, whereas a mouth organ being much smaller does – and is fun also.
Some of the ‘reject’ shops have reasonably priced toys, pencils, pencil cases, colouring books etc, so it may be a good place to start.
Hope you have fun doing it. Eight is quite a big undertaking but good on you!
Kind regards
Rosalie
August 20th, 2009 at 4:33 am
When packing my shoe boxes, I try to do what the Kingborough Family Church does and collect things throughout the year. I find it’s easier that way and much better than spending a lot of money toward the end of September all at once. That way if I notice a sale on something suitable during the year (such as the ‘back to school’ sales after Christmas), I will buy a lot of exercise books, textas, pencils and pens fairly cheaply. Spreading out the cost is good on the hip pocket too!
Sometimes, if I seem to have more gifts than shoe boxes (I don’t buy many shoes!), I find it is also nice to pack the boxes in more sturdy and often stronger gift boxes. I always take a copy of the brochure along so that I can make sure the size of the gift box fits within the required dimensions. You can find gift boxes for 3-4 dollars a box at most 2 dollar shops in a range of different patterns and colours which saves you having to wrap the box as they are already decorated.
Kristy
August 25th, 2009 at 11:41 pm
I first heard about Operation Christmas Child from a teacher at my school. I left it too late and missed out that year. The next year we were more organised and sent a box from each of our Support Unit classes – 5 boxes. The year after I involved my tennis club as well and we sent 25 boxes. Last year I started collecting through the year (especially the 5c exersize books in January) and I also spoke to the Year 8 at our school and we filled 53 boxes. This year I have a band of people who have been collecting and knitting through the year. One friend found her grocery store had put out little stuffed toys for a couple of dollars. A few weeks later they had different ones for sale. She kept collecting a few each week, they kept changing the range and a week ago she brought me in two shoping bags full – her 2009 contribution. I have involved the teachers, some students, nearly everyone I talk to, my neighbours, the tennis club and this year we are aiming at 150 boxes. I have to tell you at this stage I think we will need more boxes.
Not everyone is in a position to go out and shop and this year a few people have asked if they can just give me money to send the boxes – $150 so far.
We are already talking about sewing for next year and I am distributing patterns for dresses, shorts, shirts and pencil cases and bags for next year.
I just love the idea of sending a box from me for a child who will find so much joy I cannot help but tell others and invariably they catch the dream too.
Janette
August 31st, 2009 at 2:20 pm
Another tip is to purchase items that can be shared. For example, if you purchase a small A5 colouring in book with a stapled top, you can remove the staples and then staple into individual booklets. You then place all the booklets in the same box. That way the recipient can then colour in with a friend
Packing both coloured pencils and lead pencils is a bonus. Again, coloured pencils can be shared.
Try to not purchase games that have English instructions. Purchase instead things that are common such as tennis balls. These also can be a shared activity for the children.
If you provide an item in the all the categories and you find you still have space in your box, don’t leave it with spaces. Make the most of the extra space by blessing a child with an extra item or two from the categories. For example, give two toys and not one.
Don’t forget also to remove any excess packaging from your items. Often developing nations do not have the resources for rubbish disposal.
Hope these tips help.
September 14th, 2009 at 8:42 pm
This project is such a blessing not only to the ones that get the boxes,but the one that prepare them. Last year I worked on ages 10-14 the girls were easy but the boys will I need help!!!!
I watch for the season clearance sales. I paid 20 cent for caps that boys or girls can use and 30 cents for flip lops and shoes.At these sales 10 cent for a 12 packs of pencils. Check with Wal-mart. Family Dollar has a after inventory sale get in with your local district manger ask if they can donate items or offer to contrubite to their litericy fund for donations. It never hurts to ask.
God will open the door for his children.
Have a blessed life
September 15th, 2009 at 3:13 am
I find it best to shop for children’s clothes & presents at the end of summer when they are cheaper, also a multi-packet of undies & socks divide into a few boxes.
November 15th, 2009 at 8:25 am
Could i put books into the boxes???? i have around 17 books to give