Operation Christmas Child delivers great joy and the Good News of Jesus Christ to children in need around the world through gift-filled shoeboxes. Each box packed full of quality toys, school supplies, and personal care items becomes a tangible expression of God's immense love for the child. For many, it is their first gift ever! Delivered by our local church partners, shoebox gifts provide an opportunity to present the Gospel to boys and girls in a clear, child-friendly way.

Our goal every year at Union Grove is to pack more shoeboxes than the previous year. Each month we suggest items for our church families to donate and place in our collection box in the front foyer of the church. In November, the WMU Ladies pack the shoeboxes with all the donated items received during the year. We would ask that you also help by giving monetarily to help cover the cost of shipping the shoeboxes all over the world.

If you would like to pack your own shoeboxes, here's how:

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. You can use your own shoeboxes or order the colorful preprinted ones, available in both corrugated cardboard and plastic, from the Samaritans Purse Operation Christmas Child website. These sturdy options hold up well and can be lasting gifts in themselves for children to store cherished items.

2 Get Your Label
Visit https://www.samaritanspurse.org/what-we-do/operation-christmas-child/ to find out whether an adhesive or printable label is best for you. Whichever you choose, use the label to indicate on your shoebox whether it was packed for a boy or girl and which 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. Don’t forget to also include a personal note and photo—sometimes these are the child's favorite things to receive!

4 Pray
Most importantly, "pray without ceasing" (1 Thess. 5:17) for the child who will receive your shoebox gift.

Please also pray for:
Their family to also be receptive to the Good News of Jesus Christ.
The pastor of the church who delivers your shoebox gift.
Their community to be transformed by the Gospel.

5 Donate $10 Per Shoebox
A donation of $10 per box is critical to cover shipping and other project costs. For easiest processing, you can give online at https://www.samaritanspurse.org/operation-christmas-child/ways-to-give/ or by mailing a check to Samaritans Purse. If you use the online option on the Operation Christmas Child website, you can Follow Your Box and discover the destination of your gift.

6 Drop Off
Bring your packed shoeboxes to Union Grove during the National Collection Week in November.