On Friday, November 6th our DIVE groups made 26 Operation Christmas Child shoeboxes, and initiative run by Samaritan’s Purse. Operation Christmas Child brings joy and hope to children living in desperate situations around the world through the distribution of gift-filled shoe boxes and the message of God’s unconditional love.
As DIVE groups, we filled these shoe boxes with articles that a child some where around the world may have never had before.
If you are still interested in filling a shoebox with your family or friends, go ahead! The national collection week is from the 16th-21st. Forest Grove Community Church is a collection site, so if you get one done, bring it to the church!
Fill your shoe box with a well-balanced variety of items from the following categories:
- School Supplies – Items such as pencils, pens, pencil crayons, note pads, and picture books
- Toys & Other Gifts – Items such as stuffed animals, small musical instruments, hair clips, toy jewelry, t-shirts, socks, and candy (loose, individually wrapped hard candy in a sealable bag)
- Hygiene Items - Please place soap in a sealable bag
DO NOT INCLUDE:
- Toothpaste (due to customs regulations)
- Food and any chewy, crumbly, or soft candy: Including gum (due to customs regulations)
- Used items (due to customs regulations)
- Playing cards
- Liquids or items that could leak, melt, freeze, or break – Shampoo, creams, lip balm, bath gels, mirrors, or glass, etc. (these can damage other items in the shoe box).
- Items that can scare or harm a child – War-related toys, knives, and toy guns, etc.
For more information about OCC, go to the Samaritan’s Purse website or join the Facebook Group: Operation Christmas Child Canada.
We will be sending them off with love and prayer during our Sunday morning service at 11 a.m. on November 22nd.
Please feel free to email me, Pastor Chan, at chandra@forestgrovecc.com if you have any further questions or would like to know more about how your family can get involved in this project.
