This year was the first that I had personally heard about Operation Christmas Child. When I was asked to participate I didn’t think twice about how this benefits not only me but a child somewhere in the world that is not as fortunate as my own. Our family has been blessed with a very fortunate life and I am thankful for that each and every day. My husband feels the same way and he often donates weekly or monthly to organizations that are important to him. Instead of selling items that he no longer uses he gives them away to others. We always have a “charity” box that we continue to add to such as gently used toys or outgrown toys.
Operation Christmas Child fits right into our way of giving back to those in need. I decided to enlist Honey with me on this project because she is such a kind and giving person and I knew she would enjoy picking out items and filling a shoebox. Operation Christmas Child is a movement that ask people to fill a shoebox with gifts for a boy or girl. These boxes are then delivered to children that are in need of a little bit of gratitude and thanks.
Here is a small little video of Honey working on her Operation Christmas Child shoebox: (sorry if you can’t hear her she has a very shy like voice)
We filled our plastic shoebox with items that Honey felt a little girl aged 5-9 would enjoy. She felt this was the best age to give too since she is smack dab in the middle at age 7, and has a little insight into what girls that age would enjoy. Here is a photo of our Operation Christmas Child shoebox filling:
Operation Chris Child Shoebox Includes:
- Purple stuffed kitten
- Puzzle
- Playing cards
- Markers
- Crayons
- Notepad
- Fun washcloth (grows when it gets wet)
- Purple pompom pen
- Barbie doll
- Color explosion multicolored kit
- Bracelet glow sticks
Honey wanted to give a little girl a little bit of all the things she enjoys. She loves crafts and loves to draw so we picked out some markers, crayons, and paper so her little girl can create. She loves Barbies and kittens so we included both of these. She also loves jewelry and playing games, that is where the glow stick bracelets and playing cards come in. We stuffed our box to the max!
Honey also wanted to include a special note for her little girl in hopes that it will bring a smile to her face and she will know that Honey was thinking of her when she created this box of goodies:
She signed her name and inside said “Merry Christmas”. I think I may add a photo and our address in case the little girl would like to write her back. Honey would be so excited if she did.
This week is the official drop off period for the Operation Christmas Child shoeboxes. I’ve found a location close to us by visiting the Operation Christmas Child website and clicking on drop off locations. I will be taking Honey with me on Saturday to drop off our shoebox. I feel that since she was part of this from the beginning she should see it through with me to the end. I think this will also show her how important it is to give back.
We will also be participating in the “Follow your Donation”. When you donate your box and print off a special label you will be able to follow your donation and see where your shoebox ends up. I think this is also a very important aspect of this program especially for smaller children. This gives them some insight into how far their generosity is reaching. I think Honey will be so excited to see how far her shoebox travels.
Having just been introduced to this program I can tell you that I love it already. I have decided to make this a Christmas tradition for my children. Next year we will be completing one box for each child and they will be responsible for filling it with items. This way we can give back three times as much. Even though this is a “holiday” program I encourage you to give back through out the year in anyway you can.
I would LOVE LOVE LOVE to hear about your participation in this program! I hope that you get your kids involved and let them feel the happiness and feeling of love that comes with giving back to people in need!
This holiday season build a box with your family to teach kindness, compassion, and generosity.
BlogFrog will match the first 200 boxes that are built. Pledge your commitment below to build a box today on Facebook or Twitter!
This is a sponsored conversation written by me on behalf of Operation Christmas Child. The opinions and text are all mine.
