Attention Operation Christmas Child Shoebox Makers

After spending another day and another season at the processing center in Charlotte, NC - I have decided to write a blog to help you make a better shoebox, and make it much easier on those that are processing your boxes. Some of these items below will just be tips to make the box process easier and some are new items/or clarification on items that previously were not allowed in the box. Please read this list carefully and you will be my new favorite as I check your box and can let it go through without having to do anything specifically.

First a huge thank you to all that have packed shoeboxes! You rock!! And lives are being changed because of your gift!!!

Things to know as you pack your box.....

1. Please put any box donation directly on the top of your items inside your box. Please try not to bury it in on the bottom. Another great solution is the new EZ give program online that allows you to follow your box and see where it goes.

2. Please do not put any money in a purse or a note - although this is a really nice gesture it can cause danger for the child that receives the box. Don't get me wrong - please put in notes and purses if you want - just be sure there is not currency in it - thanks!

3. Please be sure to use official OCC labels - if they are printed with a label that is not Samaritan's Purse we have to re-label all those boxes.

4. Please put your label on the top of the box but at one of the ends. We try to tape them once and the tape goes through the middle of the box so if your label is in the middle we often have to relabel them so you can see the age group.

5. Please be sure to double bag your soap - ps please don't use Irish Spring!!! It makes the candy and everything else smell and taste like soap.
6. Please put your candy in a baggie - that will help in the processing center as we inspect the boxes.
7. Please be sure not to wrap the entire box as one piece, you need to wrap the lid and the box separately. Also be sure to not wrap any of the items inside the box - they all have to be unwrapped during inspection.

Now to what is new this year....

1. Tootsie Rolls can now go!!!!! No joke - put any flavor in a box and they will get to stay (boy does that save a lot of time on the line!)
2. Snakes can now go!!!!
3. M & Ms are now able to go - although no other chocolate can go!!!!
4. Guns - if they are water guns or ball guns - anything that looks like a toy and not a real gun or a camo gun can go!
5. Pink Camo can go! Camo flip flops can go - however no other camo items are allowed!!!!
6. Gummy Bears can go - but NO fruit snacks or perishable items.

Operation Christmas Child

This past Sunday at church we played this video! As usual I was holding back the tears.... to think Christmas time is just around the corner and it is once again time to send off another batch of shoeboxes with Operation Christmas Child. It is amazing to think that a simple shoebox and literally save a child's life.... it won't take away their hunger, it won't bring back their parents that died of AIDS - but what it does do is show the saving love of Jesus Christ to children around the world.

I love this project because everyone can do it! A small child can pack a box as well as an elderly couple, it is a lifetime service opportunity open to all people that want to share Jesus' love with the world around them. If you haven't packed a shoebox - it is not too late - you have until Monday Nov. 22nd to get them to a collection center near you. Check out www.samaritanspurse.org for more information.

Take a moment and watch this video! You may need a tissue or a two but it is well worth your time!

OCC Trip Highlights

So I must say that one of the highlights of this years trip to Charlotte would have to be the song that Brittany and Emmy wrote and performed for me. It was amazing. Take a few minutes and watch this - you will clearly be impressed! They are such fun kids!

Operation Christmas Child

So we are here in Charlotte North Carolina along with my kids and some adults - it has been a great trip so far - The kids have been awesome and I am so proud of how well they worked yesterday. The trip down was uneventful - but so good that we didn't have to drive. I love taking the bus - it saves so much energy, although - despite being excessively tired I could not sleep on the bus!!! I was like a child with ADD - I couldn't sit still!!! We got in around midnight and got to bed around 1am the first night. Last night my kids were all in their rooms by 10:30pm...where did these kids come from - they are so good!!! It must be their leader :)...anyway..there are some really cool videos of our trip on You Tube, but last time I tried that I got two copies, so until I get a little assistance from my friend Joel I will have to refer you to his blog to see the videos... to see his blog go to www.joelsnyder.net

So until I write again - check out his blog and his video - it is really cool!!

320 Boxes Packed

So Midnight Madness was a great success - we had lots of kids and adults show up to prepare, shop, wrap, and put together 320 shoeboxes. It was a pretty amazing night and I am glad that all the hard work and preparation paid off. I have to admit that earlier in the day I was a bit nervous that no one would show up, but thanks be to God - I was wrong - we had a great turn out and everyone seemed to have a great time. A special thanks to all our volunteers from our church and from the local Kiwanas group - I could not do my job without you!!!