Operation Christmas Child is an international ministry of Samaritan’s Purse More Information). The mission of Operation Christmas Child (OCC) is to provide God’s love in a tangible way to children in need around the world, and together with the local church worldwide, to share the Good News of Jesus Christ. Since it began in 1993, more than 178 million children in over 160 countries and territories have received a shoebox. Churches around the world help to pack shoeboxes for children ages 2-14 that are then distributed globally through Samaritan’s Purse.

How can you get involved?

Pack a shoebox! You can pack a standard-sized shoebox, or a pre-printed box. Choose to pack for a boy or girl and decide the age category: 2-4, 5-9, or 10-14. Suggestions on what to put in your box are at http://www.samaritanspurse.org/occ-gift-suggestions.

A donation of $9 is critical for the project to help cover collecting, shipping and processing, as well as ministry partner training and materials. The Greatest Gift booklet, and other project costs. The best way to give is online via e-check, or debit or credit card. You can give online through Follow Your Box. For ways to give see https://www.samaritanspurse.org/operation-christmas-child/ways-to-give.

Build a Shoebox Online. Particularly this year, when you may not want to go outside,  you can build a shoebox online for a suggested donation of $25. Many of our shoebox gifts online are delivered to hard-to-reach areas. In some parts of the world, access to the Gospel is restricted or there are strict customs regulations requiring a specially packed shoebox. Build a Shoebox Online provides believers in these places with opportunities to share the Good News of Jesus Christ in a culturally sensitive way. To access t his opportunity, go to http://www.samaritanspurse.org/buildonline.