As a member of the iHomeschool Network’s Samaritan’s Purse Blogger Team, I write about the ministry on a volunteer basis. As part of my partnership with Samaritan’s Purse, I received the VeggieTales Merry Larry DVD as well as OCC Packing Party Supplies.
We have been gathering supplies and packing Operation Christmas Child shoeboxes for the past 5+ years! This year, however, was different…very different!
My Problem…
Leading up to the National OCC Collection Week, I was traveling outside the country and days after I returned we moved to a new home. Although I had already purchased supplies to pack our shoeboxes, I couldn’t find them! In fact, I am positive they are in one of the many unpacked moving box somewhere in our garage!
In spite of the chaos of traveling, moving and not being able to find our missing OCC supplies, I knew that we couldn’t NOT participate in Operation Christmas Child.
My solution…
First, the kids and I talked about the importance of being a blessing to others. We followed up our conversation by watching the new VeggieTales DVD, Merry Larry and the True Light of Christmas. This was a HUGE hit with my kids. They were elated when I told them that we were watching Merry Larry as part of our OCC Shoebox Packing Party! The DVD provided an opportunity to remind us of what Christmas is really all about! Children and adults alike learn that “Christmas shines most bright and true when you give the love God gave to you!” Take a peak at the trailer below!
Packing OCC Shoeboxes…
When You Have NOTHING to Put in Them
So, you may be wondering, how can you have a shoebox packing party when you don’t have anything to put in the shoeboxes! We packed boxes online! Yes, after watching Merry Larry and doing some of the fun Merry Larry OCC activities, we all gathered around the computer to decide what to put in our virtual boxes! This was actually a lot of fun! The kids selected items online for their shoeboxes and the folks at Samaritan’s Purse will actually use the $30 per box cost to add the selected items to a real box that will be delivered to a child in need! The process was very quick and easy!
How to Pack an OCC Shoebox Online
1) Visit Samaritan’s Purse and click “Start Building”
2) Choose one: Decide whether to pack a shoebox for a girl or boy.
3) Choose Age: Decide what age child you would like to pack a box for.
4) Begin packing your shoebox by selecting items to include.
5) After clicking on the items you would like to add, a photo along with an explanation or testimony appears about how the item you selected can bless a child! After reading the selection, click to add the item to the box!
6) Continue selecting items and filling your shoebox!
7) Finish building your online shoebox!
8) Upload and include an optional photo and/or note for your shoebox recipient(s).
My boys loved that they were able to upload their own photo and type out their very own message to the child receiving their box!
9) Build more boxes and then continue to Checkout! Each box is $30 and includes the shipping cost.
Now that was easy peasy and we didn’t let our missing supplies get in the way of us being a blessing to those in need this holiday season by participating in Operation Christmas Child! Perhaps between now and next Christmas I will be able to find our missing OCC supplies! If not, I know of an easy alternative! {wink}
Did you pack shoeboxes the year? If not, don’t despair! It’s not too late! In fact, it’s never too late! You can build a shoebox online all year long!
What We Believe Homeschool Curriculum
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