For those of you who may not know about Operation Christmas Child (OCC), you can learn about it here. Samaritan's Purse
If you look in the middle of the page, you'll see the videos about their cause. Most of them had me in tears to see how these children's lives are being touched. But, for some reason, the Katie Hall video just had me outright bawling. I just found it so moving.

This is my favorite cause to whom I give, because it takes so little to give so much. And, since I'm doing the shopping, I know my money isn't being wasted. I know I'm getting the most *bang* for my buck.

I keep my eyes peeled all year long for clearance, marked down and sale items to put in the OCC shoe boxes. But, for me it seems that the back-to-school sales really kick of the shoe box shopping. I noticed that Staples started their 1-cent sale a little early this year and I almost missed out. I'm sorry if you missed out, for some reason it just didn't occur to me to make this post earlier. (duh) Anyway, I figured I'd post to see who else packs shoe boxes for OCC. I thought maybe we could post to keep each other informed about the really good deals that we find to put in the shoe boxes. Also, I'm interested to know what items everyone else packs in theirs. These are the staples that I put in my shoe boxes every year.

School Supplies (5-9yr & 10-14yr olds) -
spiral notebook
pencils (10-pk)
pencil sharpener
erasers
ruler
crayons
coloring and/or activity books

Hygiene Items (all age & gender groups) -
toothbrush
toothpaste (full size)
bar soap (full size)
combs (multi pack, assorted sizes for various hair types)

Toys (5-9yr & 10-14yr olds & gender appropriate) -
flute recorder (or harmonica)
jump rope
frisbee
punch balloon
stuffed animal and/or doll (girls)
vehicles (boys)
game (card game, mini-board game, etc.)

Other Items (5-9yr & 10-14yr olds & gender appropriate) -
candy (bag of Kiddie Mix)
costume / dress-up jewelry (girls)
hair accessories (girls)
any freebie toys from kids meals or cereal boxes

Depending on the price (and space in box),
I also try to add several of these (5-9yr & 10-14yr olds & gender appropriate) -
backpack / bookbag
pencil box / pouch
colored pencils
scissors
washcloth / magic towel
storybook
stickers
puzzle
bag of balloons
ball (baseball, rubber ball, Nerf ball)
some kind of glow-in-the-dark toy (bugs, dinosaurs, etc.)
small flashlight w/extra batteries
purse / totebag
clothing (whatever I find dirt cheap on clearance, shirts, pants, dresses, hats, etc.)
shoes (if I find them dirt cheap on clearance)

For the 2-4yr olds I pack -
coloring books
crayons
flute recorder
stuffed animal
hand puppet
baby doll (girls)
dress-up jewelry (girls)
hair accessories (girls)
big vehicles (boys)
inflatable or big rubber ball (boys)
punch balloon
candy (bag of suckers)
hygiene items mentioned above
And, depending on price, try to include -
clothing (dirt cheap on clearance, shirts, pants, dresses, etc.)
shoes (dirt cheap on clearance)

Each year, I always intend on packing 6 shoe boxes when I start out (1 for each age & gender group), but the past few years I've ended up with 9 when all is said and done. It seems I always have enough extra stuff to pack 3 more boxes. (LOL)

BTW.... If you have a Michael's in your area and you don't have anything special in mind for their 40% & 50% off coupons.... I often use them on the $1 kids stuff at the front of the store (coloring books, craft kits, etc.) to put in the shoe boxes.

I'm sure we all pack the same staples as far as school supplies and hygiene items. So, I was interested to know..... What items do you include every year?

.

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No outfit is complete without cat hairs!

~~~MsMiser

You are awesome!! What you listed sounds great. I'm sure the kids love it. I bet you have a lot of fun when Targets $1.00 spot goes to a quarter. I have a blast!

We've done OCC shoeboxes for years! We have a collection site in our city and DD volunteers every Fall with our church youth group. I collect items all year round and then make up as many boxes as I can when the time comes. I also give the "leftover" items that I have to the center to use as box fillers for the boxes that come in that don't have much in them. They are always very appreciative of that. Many boxes come into the center with only 2 or 3 things while others come crammed with everything imaginable. They try to make the boxes fairly even with items. All the boxes are checked for liquid and/or inappropriate items (toy guns, etc.) before they are packed onto pallets to be shipped out. It is an amazing process to watch!

I try to use somewhat large (not too large) shoe boxes because I want to be able to fit a great variety of items in them. (Thankfully DS wears a size 12 shoe. ) My boxes are so tightly packed that I always wonder if whoever checks the box will be able to repack everything back into it. This is a real concern for me because I've taken great time and effort to fit a large variety of items in each box. I've been told that they never remove items from the boxes unless they are inappropriate. (war toys, liquids, etc.) But, I've always wondered if this was true. Do you know if they remove items from one box to help "even out" the other boxes? I realize that the items they remove (if any) are still going to a child in need. But, I guess I just feel like the box that I'm preparing is for "my" child, so to speak. And, I'm trying to meet as many wants and needs for "my" child that the space of a shoe box will allow. I guess it just gives me a greater sense of connection. Does that make sense?

.

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No outfit is complete without cat hairs!

~~~MsMiser

Yes I totally understand and yes it makes sense! I am the Church Relations Coordinator for Long Island and I have worked with OCC for over 8 years. Your question is very important and one I have asked everyone involved: leaders, coordinators, deliverers, and people who work in the warehouse. The answer is NO, they DO NOT REMOVE ITEMS, unless they are inappropriate* . They have many donated bins of items from toothpaste manufacturers, stores, even beanie babies were donated by the manufacturer one year, etc. A box with little will be filled with these extra donated items.

OCC asks that everyone pray for their child when they make their box, it is exactly what you say, a connection between you and the child. The website has amazing stories of how a family would put in let's say perhaps a collapsible umbrella, and that was exactly what that child had been praying for. There are tons of stories just like that.

My DD was able to deliver boxes to Belize, Central America. During one distribution she handed a box to a little boy and particularly noticed him and where he went back to sit down. After all the boxes are distributed, the leaders count "3, 2, 1....Open!!" and all the children are allowed to open their boxes. You can imagine the shrieks of glee and happiness. Over all that noise, she heard that little boy yell out "Now I know that God loves Me." That little boy got it, got the reason we do this. It is not that people would love America, or love us. We do it because God loves us and has blessed us, and we want them to know how much God loves them.

You can even include a letter and picture with your box. You do not need to include your return address (as many do not have the means to reply), but my DD said a picture and a letter meant so much to the children, many times more than the gifts inside.

*Inappropriate items----war toys (many live in war-torn countries and have watched their family die due to violence), breakables like mirrors and glass (things get jumbled around and get easily broken and harm items and children), liquids (bottles break and spread all over, also many are shipped in unpressurized airplanes and so can burst), medicines, perishable food (many items like chocolate melt in over 100 degree places, and many boxes don't get delivered for months so regular food would spoil---only hard candy acceptable).

Plus any inappropriate items are NOT TOSSED OUT---they are DONATED to as many as 44 different charities such as shelters.

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rose13, thanks so much for confirming that items are not removed. That puts my mind at ease. And, I'm glad to know they donate the "inappropriate" items instead of just tossing them.

Maybe you could answer another question for me. I've been told that it's okay to buy multi pack items and open them to put 1 in each box. (e.g. - 2-pk flute recorders from Dollar Tree. Buy it, open it and put 1 in each box.) An OCC coordinator who works at my Dollar Tree said it was okay to split up the flute recorders. Is it okay to split up items like that? I've never done it before because I didn't want them to think they were used items and toss them out. Especially since a flute recorder is something you put your mouth on. Is it okay to split up ANY multi pack items? Flute recorders? Multi pack of toothbrushes? A big bag of hard candy, divided and put in Ziploc bags? Or, is it only okay for things like a multi pack of die cast cars for example?

.

__________________
No outfit is complete without cat hairs!

~~~MsMiser

Actually I open multi-packs all the time. I haven't heard of them removing used items. (But I guess if it appears broken and obviously dirty.) But if everything is clean, why not? I buy large packs of cars myself and place one in each box.
Actually I prefer opening packages, because packaging can take up so much room! And I can place more things inside the box if I discard all that paper and plastic!

I buy multi-packs of socks, toothbrushes, jump ropes, all kinds of things. Hard candy should still be individually wrapped tho, but yes, I do break up large bags and place them in a zip-loc baggie.
(My DD when delivering the boxes saw one little boy open a box that had a red lolipop that melted and leaked all over the white t-shirt that was in his box.......so sad, so I make sure to securely wrap my candy up.)

And thanks so much for starting this thread! I have always been meaning to! I missed this round of Staples sales, but I am sure there will be more.

I shop all year round as well and get in on all the CVS 90% and Target sales as well. I am actually all done except for some pencils, crayons and paper. I was very fortunate this year, a store went out of business near me and I was able to get everything really cheap.
I play a game with myself, I don't buy anything over 50 cents. It makes for aggressive shopping! But I have 4 large plastic bins filled to overflowing with items. My DD started the program up at her college and they had such a fun wrapping party last year, so I bought tons of extras for them as well (I couldn't pass up the deals, lol.)

Some fun things (that you didn't mention) I include sometimes are:

cloth handkerchiefs
small packs of tissues
sewing kits
small bundles of fabric
hair ribbons
small tool kits
underwear

I work at the collection center and I love to talk to everyone and ask, "What do you put in your boxes?" I get the best ideas!

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How do I find out if there is a collection site near me? I have never heard of this organization and I'm interested.

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Thanks. ~Susan

Please email me at.... snschapin@yahoo.com

Do not value the things you have in your life,
but value who you have in your life!

We have been doing the shoeboxes for years as well. I start shopping for the next year in the after Christmas clearance sales. The big distribution center is in Charlotte, NC and a group from our church travels up there to help with the boxes. They do it during the week so I've never been able to go but a couple of other hints they gave us were:

No toy snakes- they are taboo/considered evil in some cultures
No money - a child was mobbed and almost harmed over a dollar bill that someone had tucked into a book in the box

We also had a teenager visit our church during a program who had received box when she was in an orphange in Russia. Enough boxes did not go to the orphanage so she shared hers with 2 other children. That made me so sad that I've tried to increase the number of boxes I do each year.

A cute idea one couple in my church always does is include a very small hand pump and a deflated soccer ball.

gammiesue, the phone # for Samaritan's Purse is 1-800-353-5949, just tell them you're inquiring about Operation Christmas Child and they'll be happy to answer any question you have. They don't have drop-off locations available right now because it's a little early in the year. Collection isn't until around Thanksgiving time. The woman I spoke with said they'll probably have them next month and they'll also list them on their site. You can call and ask them to send you info and shoe box labels or you can print labels from here. Samaritan's Purse

rose13, are the multi packs of toothbrushes individually packaged? Or, are they "open" and you put them in a Ziploc bag? I've bought a 5-pk before where you could just tear 1 off at a perforated line, but each one was individually packaged.

The multi pack of socks and undies are a good idea, I'll have to keep my eyes peeled for bargains on those. I did pick up a few things Monday for my shoe boxes from Target's $1 Spot at 75% off. (headbands, bucket hats, a bandana & a Little Mermaid purse) The only 1-cent items I got from Staples for the shoe boxes were 8-pks of pencils. I imagine all the stores will be having their back-to-school sales soon since Staples got a jump on them.

Do many people put sewing kits in the boxes? I've thought about putting fingernail clippers in them before when Walgreens had them for 39-cents. But, when DS was young he was always such a baby about clipping his nails (said it hurt) that I was afraid some kid would hurt themselves with it and decided against it. (LOL) Apparently I was just being paranoid. If I catch them that cheap again I'll probably pick some up, at least for the older kids.

I usually buy a bag of Kiddie Mix (Sweetarts, Smarties, Tootsie Rolls, jaw breakers, bubble gum, hard candy, etc.) from the Dollar Tree for the older kids and a bag of Saf-T-Pops for the 2-4yr olds. (Each box gets it's own bag of candy.) But, now I know I can get a huge bag at Walmart after Halloween and divide it up into Ziploc bags. Thanks! Also, I always put the bar soap in a Ziploc bag and place it at the opposite end of the candy in the shoe box, just to make sure their candy doesn't taste like soap.

.

__________________
No outfit is complete without cat hairs!

~~~MsMiser

Thanks, rose13, for answering the "removing items" questions!

I also pack my boxes so tight I've worried about anyone having to re-pack it.

BTW, you don't have to use cardboard shoeboxes. I use plastic ones that I pick up at Big Lots. I buy the ones that are one size larger than the standard smaller shoebox size. They hold more stuff and the child will have a "keepsake box" that will last longer than a cardboard box.

All your wonderful stories have made my day!!! You are all good shoppers with big hearts!!!

I mostly use cardboard shoeboxes myself, simply because I make so many boxes it would be quite an added expense to get the plastic.....

However, PLASTIC SHOEBOXES are wonderful and highly recommended. First....during what can be a long shipping and delivery process (boat, plane, donkey, canoe even, lol) it can keep the items inside protected. But then it makes as ZOOBIE stated a great additional gift!
My friend who is the Northeast Coordinator, was on a distribution trip and was invited into a home. When they offered them something to eat, out came the plastic shoebox that now stored food for the family.
I have heard stories where children use them to gather water. So they can have many important uses.


MsMiser--The toothbrushes this year were 12 for $1 and they each had their own individually wrapped package, just perforated. Last year I couldn't find them so I did have to buy the loose ones and actually I did not put them in a baggie...that would have been a good idea,

They do recommend that you place the soap in a baggie and the candy in a baggie. Some soaps actually melt a bit in high heat and get soft so it is good to have them in a bag.
As far as sewing kits--I got the idea from my quilting club friends. They place a kit and a packet of fabric for older girls. I don't always do that, but this year I was able to find several at a bargain (50 cents). Nail clippers sound like a great idea for older children.

Interesting story---The new Manhattan coordinator (btw we are all volunteers. OCC only employs about 70 ppl in the US but has thousands and thousands of volunteers) recently went to a small country in Africa (I forget the name but it was very remote). After they helped to distribute the gifts, they had to go around and explain them. The children had never seen crayons (they were amazed at how they worked) and didn't know what to do with the toothpaste and soap. They were overjoyed with everything. Most had never received a gift before in their lives and didn't even know that you had to open it and find something inside.


The website as MsMiser had stated: Samaritan's Purse
is wonderful. Go there and find everything you need: stories, resources. National Collection Week is November 17-24, 2008 When the time is closer all you have to do is plug in your zip code and it will tell you the closest collection centers. (Right now we are in the process of getting additional ones and confirming old ones....process we do every year.)

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Sorry to be so long winded....I am very passionate for this cause. We believe in OCC. They are careful and mindful of their resources. The more I find out, the more I see what good stewards they are with their money. As stated above, they have very few paid employees. The majority are volunteers.

Some additional info:
The first thing to do when choosing to make a box is decide if it will be for a boy or a girl and then pick the age range:
2-4, 5-9 and 10-14

Now the majority of the boxes that come in are the 5-9 girl. The reason why is because many boxes are made by moms and their daughters around that age, such as girl scout groups and the like. There are alot less boxes made for boys 10-14. Yet the need is just as great. I would encourage people to think about making boy boxes of any age tho.

It is so fun and easy to make girl boxes. But boys 10-14 in desperate poor regions are not like boys that age in our country. Imagine giving a 12 year old boy in a big city toothpaste and a pen. But children in third world countries would be thrilled.
Most CAN NOT attend school if they do not have school supplies. That factor will not only affect that child's future life, but the life and earning potential of his family and eventually that of the entire village. School supplies are essential.

Also small stuffed animals believe it or not are highly prized. I have seen many videos of children clutching the smallest doll or toy close to their chests or face.

My DD went to a small island in Lake Victoria Kenya on a missions trip (not OCC) and not one child there had even one toy, most did not even have a full set of clothes. They played in the dirt with sticks.
There is such poverty, such devastation, such a lack of necessities in a large part of the world.

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If simply reading this thread has made your day, you should try packing a shoe box. It brings me great joy every year.

.

__________________
No outfit is complete without cat hairs!

~~~MsMiser

jibbers, thanks for the heads-up on "no toy snakes". I've never packed one in a shoe box before (that I can recall), but I've never really even thought about it being taboo, either. I will keep that in mind from now on. Thanks! I think the scariest thing I've ever packed was a gigantic glow-in-the-dark fly. I thought it would be something unique and really cool for an older boy. I sure hope it didn't scare him. The hand pump & soccer ball is a great idea, too! I'll have to keep an eye out for a deal on them.

I start my shopping during the after Christmas sales, too. I pick up things here and there during the clearance sales after each holiday, but it just seems that the back-to-school sales really kick it off for me. That's when I start going through my inventory and seeing what all I still need to get. Buying just a little at a time throughout the year makes it so much easier since I also have Christmas shopping to do for family and friends at the end of the year.

zoobie, I often have a hard time finding enough larger size shoe boxes, so the plastic boxes would be helpful. But, right now I don't know how hard that extra expense will be on my pocketbook. Money is VERY tight for me right now. But, seeing how useful the plastic boxes are to the recipients, it's defininately something I will try to add in the future.


rose13, don't be sorry! I don't think you're being long winded. I appreciate everyone's input, all of the information has been helpful to me. Where on earth did you find toothbrushes 12 for $1?!!! The cheapest I'm ever able to find them are 2 for $1, except last year when I got 5 for $1.

I've always suspected that the boys, particularly 10-14yr olds, were getting the short end of the stick. I just figured most people would find it more exciting to buy the girly stuff, plus it seems I usually find the girly stuff cheaper. That's one of the reasons I've always done a box for each gender and age group. I figured certain age groups and/or genders probably got more boxes than the others, but didn't know which ones. I wanted to be fair, so I just did 1 for each. But, like I said, when all is said and done, I usually end up with 9. (Usually 1 extra for each age group, but the gender differs from year to year.) I'll be making more of an effort to pack more boy boxes from now on.

I usually put some type of stuffed animal in all the boxes except boys 10-14yrs. I figured they were too old and I didn't want them to get teased. (LOL) Last year I put a stuffed beanie type, red dragon in the boys 5-9yrs. (99-cents at Walgreens) I hope dragons weren't taboo for whomever got it. (LOL) Do you (anyone) think a boy, 10-14yrs old, is too old for a stuffed animal? What about in other cultures?

.

__________________
No outfit is complete without cat hairs!

~~~MsMiser

I know my 11 year DS still adores stuffed animals and his friends still seem to have them as well. Don't know about other cultures.

This thread has taught me a lot as well - I will definitely concentrate on that oldest boy group. I know at work we hand out dual-headed screwdrivers as a promotional item - I think I'll get a few for my older boy shoeboxes - I had never throught of tools until this thread.

Regarding toothbrushes - I always seem to get them free between triples at HT and free after ECB at CVS. Like many others I buy up the clearance Halloween candy for my boxes. Also, cheap back to school supplies.

I try to use this as a lesson to my child - this is all some kids get for Christmas - that he should be grateful what he gets even if it is not everything on his list.

I love to make shoeboxes for Samaritan's Purse. I usually make shoeboxes for girls since I like to buy girly stuff but I will make shoeboxes for boys this year. I'll have to think about things to put in my box for the boy age 10-14. I was thinking about a t-shirt, cap, sunglasses, school supplies, toiletries, yoyo, ball, puzzles.

First, thanks so much for your kind words of encouragement MsMiser.
I have many dollar-type stores in my area. I hunted around each one and found this hanging pack of 12 for $1. That was a find. Last year the best I could do was 6-8.

As far as the stuffed animal goes...On another thread about Birthday Party favors, moms talk about kids just tossing away those gifts.......however, children in abject poverty and desolation are entirely different than the children in our affluent American culture. This is the most important thing to remember as we choose our gifts. They have nothing, they need almost everything, and many have no hope of a present or a future. I have heard so many stories of the delivery process. How one child would receive a huge box and another child receive a tiny shoebox. Here there would be jealousy and fighting. Story after story I hear is one of sharing and joy and surprise and gratitude for anything.
Almost all the children run home and share their gifts with their families and friends. So even if an older child did not want his item, it would give him enormous joy to be able to give that gift to his sister or cousin. Many boxes are filled with several toothbrushes or many bars of soap, a full pack of pens or socks. That enables the entire family to use the gift.

Most places do not have the luxury of toothbrushes or toothpaste. They use reeds or twigs to clean their teeth. Many times a father will take the toothpaste and carefully dole out the contents meagerly to each member to make it last the longest possible.

I try to incorporate my hobbies into it as well. I said that I might include sewing kits and some fabric (I am a quilter). I also crochet and knit scarfs and hats to include. One year I made slippers for every box. I also sew hand puppets for some.
I make anywhere from 60-80 boxes or so. But I have worked with OCC for many years and am very passionate about it. Plus I just love bargain hunting!


Here is a YouTube video my DS made of the activities at our collection center. YouTube - Operation Christmas Child - The Three C's of Caring
(My DD is the young girl speaking and she took all the still photos on her various mission trips and my DS took and edited the film.)

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Very Nicely done video!

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"Well-Behaved Women SELDOM make history."Laurel Thatcher Ulrich


"Yesterday is but a vision, and tomorrow is only a dream. But today well lived makes every yesterday a dream of happiness, and every tomorrow a dream of hope." Anonymous

"Your candle does not lose it's light by lighting another candle" Generosity

Have the courage to be yourself.

I checked out the website and I can't really swing to make boxes plus pay to have them shipped but that leads me to a question:

Do donation sites accept loose items to help fill in boxes that are skimpy?

I would gladly donate a few bags of things that I can pick up for next to nothing-toothpaste, toothbrushes, crayons, pencils, washcloths, etc. But I want to know if they would be accepted before I start collecting.

What a nice thread.

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Jesus SAVES by shopping smartly and using double coupons!

I do know that at our collection site we do accept bags of loose items. We send it on down to Boone, NC, with the rest of the boxes and they fill in skimpy shoeboxes down there. Any and all donations are GRATEFULLY accepted!

----They suggest that a $7 donation go with each box to help pay for some of the shipping costs. Lots of people find creative ways to handle that. At my DD's college she asked for staff and faculty to "sponsor" student made boxes. That way it was a team effort, the kids would make the box and the faculty supplied the $7. -----

TargetgirlI imagine that is the cost you are talking about and I can totally understand. But if you meant it would cost too much to ship to Boone, NC....there are thousands of local collection centers, they just aren't listed on the site yet.

But any and every way you can think to help is WONDERFUL. Even if people could not participate but would like to pray.....YAH! that would be tremendous in itself.

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my kids do one every year, and they know that the money they used is the money that would of been used to buy them christmas gifts. Of course my kids get christmas gifts but they know that they are giving up some christmas presents in order to do these shoe boxes. I think that is a great way for the kids to realize there are other people out there besides themselves... kwim? one thing we use to do when the kids would get happy meals was to keep the toy in the wrapper and collect them throughout the year. Then we would donate the toys to our church so all the boxes that would come in we could stick a happy meal toy in them. that was just a cheap way to make sure every box had some kind of toy in them. Even though my kids are now 12 & 15 they look forward to doing this every year.

steph

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IMG]http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v487/my2cuties/diabetes_1.gif[/IMG]

We do these every fall with our church and they are SO much fun!! We shop all year for bargains and get some awesome things. Our girls have a blast putting them together.

One thing I like to include inside my shoeboxes each year, regardless of what age or gender we're shipping them to is some sort of sealable water bottle etc. The Dollar store usually has some nice types available - we often pick several different sizes of sealable containers (small box, larger bowl size, medium sized jug etc) and then stuff all of the gifts and things inside them. I know this may cause the people who check the box to have to unpack/repack them but in many places these sorts of sealable containers are highly prized. As others have said, the ability to either store foods away from any contamination or water, or to store liquids without them being tainted or spilled - this is something we take for granted.

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Meddle ye not in the affairs of Dragons, for you are crispy, and taste good with Ketchup!

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Heads-up! Just incase you didn't already know.... Office Depot has their 1-cent sale going on this week. My OD is currently out of everything except the folders, but they said they'll get more in today at noon. They have eraser caps (12-pk), 6" semi-circle protractors, 2-pocket folders & 12" acrylic rulers on sale this week for 1-cent each! Limit 5 of each item per customer, except for folders which are a limit of 20 per customer. I don't have any children to take with me to do my bidding, so I'll have to make multiple trips in and out of the store. (LOL)

Wow! 60-80 boxes would bankrupt me! (LOL) I really wish I had the financial means to do a lot more, but most years I'm already pushing it to the limit as it is. Plus, I love the bargain shopping, too!

I agree with jeanief, as well.... very nicely done video!

mykentuckykids, that's a great value to instill in your children. I don't have little ones (DS is 24), but occasionally I buy a kid's meal for myself when I don't want a big meal. I usually have to ask for the toy (LOL). Because they know the meal is for me, they assume I don't want the toy. I keep the toys from kid's meals and also cereal boxes and put them in my shoe boxes, too. There were Barbie and Hotwheels digital watches inside boxes of Raisin Bran earlier this year.

Thanks for the tip Skye! That's something I've never really considered before. I can see how it can fulfill a great need. I'll have to add that to my "staples" list.

If anyone else has any other suggestions, please post them!

.

__________________
No outfit is complete without cat hairs!

~~~MsMiser

Woohoo! This is my project too. I haven't read all the posts so if these are repeat suggestions I'm sorry.

For older boys I include flashlights and extra batteries,

I've also found that some of the thinner back packs I can fold in half and put them in the bottom of the box and put things on top.

I see this year on the Samaritan's site that shoes were a very welcome gift. One girl in the Philippines was wearing flip-flops to school and since they were not part of the uniforn she had to do extra work each day as a "punishment" for being out of uniform. So she was thrilled when the Lord answered her prayer with a pair of red and white shoes.

Extra items are welcome at my pick up site too. Also, if people just wanted to donate $7 instead of doing a box, they get a lot of boxes that don't have the shipping included. So between both givers it works out.

I did 17 boxes last year. I save change all year to help with the shipping.

Great Thread!!

I've done the same with backpacks/bookbags. I've gotten some decent smaller ones at Dollar Tree before, and last year I found some big, simple nylon/canvas ones at Walgreens on clearance for $1. I usually only buy shoes when I find them under $3. I really haven't looked for any so far this year, but being's how valuable they can prove to be, I'll start keeping an eye out.

rose13, I didn't know you could put handmade/homemade items in the shoeboxes. (hats, slippers, hand puppets) I'm pretty handy with a needle and thread myself! I made all of DS's halloween costumes (without a pattern!) when he was growing up. And, I've made lots of dress-up clothes for my niece (again, without a pattern). Not to brag, but people that saw them were amazed that I had made them without a pattern. You and slw1 both got me thinking..... I already have lots of fabric. I reckon I could make some bookbags, purses and other simple items to put in the shoe boxes. What do you think? Any other simple sewing suggestions?

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No outfit is complete without cat hairs!

~~~MsMiser

MsMiser, you have a wonderful talent. Last fall I went to the church that is the collection point for our area and they had sewing machines set up and ladies were making tote bags, bandanas and other simple things. Unfortunately I don't sew, or knit or crochet. My best talent is hunting for great bargains.

I'm wondering if Goodwill might have new shoes for a little amount? I would hunt at yard sales, but since we live in the country I'm not wasting gas going to the sales. I did find a nice pair at Target for $3.74 marked down from 14.99

Also, if anyone does beading to make simple necklaces, bracelets etc. these would be great for the older girls' boxes.

I could've been making stuff to put in my shoe boxes all along??? Tote bags, wrap-around skirts, sun dresses, tank tops.... elastic waist shorts, pants & skirts. These are all fairly easy items to make.... not to mention bandanas. And, I've already got the fabric! I've also thought about making the beaded necklaces and bracelets, too. I'll have to check my inventory and see what supplies I have on hand. I'm going to have even more fun filling my shoe boxes this year.

I saw some girls shoes at Target for $3-$4 last night, too. (Probably the same style you got.) I almost bought a pair or 2, but they were getting ready to close and I couldn't make up my mind which ones to get. So, I put them back. Even though they were a really good deal, it was still a little more than I wanted to pay.

However, if you're not adamantly opposed to shopping at WM.... After I left Target last night I found some children's shoes on clearance for $1 & $2 at WM! (They're all Faded Glory brand.) I got 4 pairs of girls shoes for $1 each (reg $9.87). I'm not really sure what style you'd call them, the name on the box is 'Nicolette'. They're like a Mary Jane, but they don't have the strap across the front of the foot. However, they do have a decorative strap and small buckle near the toe. They're canvas and have pretty good arch support and cushioning in the sole considering that they're FG brand. I bought 2 pair (size 12) that are dark blue demin, and 2 pair (size 1.5) that are red & black plaid. I think the plaid ones are really cute. (Hmmm... maybe I can make an outfit to go with them. ) I also got 2 pairs of boys sandals (size 5) for $2 each (reg $14.88). They're similar to these sandals. Size 5 was the largest size they had. Can anyone tell me.... Should I put them in the boxes for 5-9yr olds, or 10-14yr olds? It's been a long time since DS's foot was that small. (LOL) Also, which age range of shoe boxes should I put the girls size 12 and size 1.5 shoes in? (Size 12 was the only size the blue shoes came in, and 1.5 was the largest size that the plaid ones came in.)

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__________________
No outfit is complete without cat hairs!

~~~MsMiser

Ms Miser

I'm not sure what size shoe would go in what age box. But this I know, that no matter where those shoes go they will be used. The children share their things. I did get a great pair of sandals with a thick athelictic sole and my hubby asked how will you know if those shoes will be able to be used in the country they end up in? I said, I'll just trust the Lord to get them where they need to go.

I'm not opposed to shopping at Walmart, it's just out of the way for me and I can often find what I'm looking for at a lesser price than they have. (They don't always have low prices in our area). But yes, next time I'm in town I will look for the shoes. I do want to send as good a quality as I can without breaking my bank.

You have some wonderful ideas....I love to sew...hmmmm you've got me going with some new thoughts too. When the kids were small I had a side business selling hand-painted children's clothes and crafts. I had my own label and cards that I would attach. So I thought if it was good enough to sell to people, it was good enough to go into the boxes, lol.

Beaded jewelry is just perfect to have children or seniors help out with. My mom used to make tons of them for my boxes with elastic cording.

As far as the shoes, I have to agree with the poster above me, they share everything! OCC recommends the first thing to do is pray! It is amazing what ideas you will come up with just because a little child is praying to God for that exact item. Then just trust that it will get to the right place, or the child will share with another. Remember, with malnutrition and poverty, they are alot smaller in size than American children. Here my nephew has size 11 at 10 years old. But I doubt the same size would apply to a third world country. The girls' size shoe sounds like the 5-9 range.

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I've wondered about the size difference in impoverished countries, that's why I was unsure about which box to put the shoes in. I guess I'll put the girls shoes in the 5-9yr olds boxes and the boys sandals in the 10-14yr olds boxes, and if they don't fit I'm sure someone will be able to use them. I'd go back and buy all of the $1 & $2 shoes to donate for the OCC shoe boxes if I had the money, but right now I'm just stressing about the upcoming bills. But, I know there are millions who have it way worse than I, so I shouldn't complain. That's why I enjoy doing the shoe boxes so much. I know I'm helping truely needy and innocent children, that I KNOW appreciate what little I can afford to give, while spreading His word. It's like having your cake and eating it too!

I just want to thank all you ladies for the inspiration and great ideas, I've really enjoy reading all of your posts! I've tried to give some of you more 'rep', but it won't let me do it right now. (Says I have to spread more around first.) If I can remember (LOL), I'll come back later and rep you again.

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__________________
No outfit is complete without cat hairs!

~~~MsMiser

Ms Miser

I'll just tell you what my hubby tells me. "do what you can. You can't take care of the whole world."

slw1, sounds like your heart is bigger than your wallet too.

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__________________
No outfit is complete without cat hairs!

~~~MsMiser

Great ideas! Just a few additional thoughts:

I helped out this last December at the warehouse, and I learned that the shoeboxes do sometimes have to be shared when there are not enough to go around, so I think it's better to fill them with a variety of smaller toys rather than one "major" toy. I had one box come through that contained only a large teddy bear, and another that had only a pair of shin guards (like for soccer). We did our best supplementing with the candy and the fillers that were available (a pretty limited selection, unfortunately), and hoped those boxes would not have to be shared.

Other good ideas for items:
- travel-sized "Magnadoodles" or similar magnetic drawing boards (a lot of kids in developing countries don't have paper)

- hot wheels or matchbox cars. They fit easily, cost only 99 cents, are almost indestructible, and boys love them!

I did notice there were a good many more boxes for girls than boys, and in particular, there were very few boxes for the boys 10-14 group. In the future I'm going to focus on that group a bit more. I'm also going to encourage my church to collect a box of "filler" items to donate in addition to shoeboxes.

Good luck!

My mom and I have worked out a deal. Her church used to do the Christmas boxes, and now they do a different project instead, which she doesn't like as well. So, for the past couple of years she has sent me $50 for shipping, and I do the shopping. I can usually come up with shipping money for a couple of boxes myself, and the contents usually only cost a couple of dollars - thanks to CVS EB, Office Max and Depot, Target's dollar spot, new toys at garage sales, etc. My church gets cases of red and green boxes from OCC, so the box isn't a problem. Getting everything to fit can be! I concentrate on school (including crayons or colored pencils) and hygiene items, but make sure that each box has a car, doll, stuffed animal or two. And always a small ball.

What a wonderful post. How about seeds and playing cards?

I love making shoeboxes. Last year, I made boxes for boys since I heard that there was a need. I also put the stuff in a plastic shoebox since the kids use it to carry water. I can't think of anything different that I put in the shoeboxes. I like to include stickers, small notepads with a pen, pencil sharpener (if I give pencils or colored pencils), small bars of soap from hotels, Mardi Gras beads, small toys from kids meals, kids sunglasses purchased at the end of summer, and medium size kids t-shirts (in boxes for boys 5-9). It's a blessing to imagine the look on the child's face who receives the shoebox.

What do you put in the 10-14 year old boy boxes? I already have one of those big plastic bins full of stuff from Target dollar spot, Christmas 90% off sale, Target 75% off, etc...

Hi. This is such a great thread, and I can't believe it's been renewed from last July!
I am now an Area Coordinator for Queens-Long Island, NY. I am so pumped. This is such a passion of mine.

Every has such great ideas, but NO you CANNOT include seeds. Sounds like a great idea, and I even wanted to include them, but because of customs, they are not allowed to be transported. Playing cards are just fine.

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You can include for a 10-14 year old boy everything you would include for a younger boy. The boys in impoverished third-world countries are in much lower grades than you would imagine (if they can go to school at all), and most have never received a gift so they are not jaded like many US teens.

---SOME IDEAS: small stuffed animals, small cars, any size balls, lots and lots of school supplies, toothpaste, toothbrush, washcloth, soap, hats, gloves, scarves, t-shirts, socks, underwear, solar-powered calculators, hard candy, etc.

I would emphasize school supplies. Toys will bring them joy, candy is a great luxury to them, BUT school supplies can make the difference whether they can go to school or not and that can really change their lives and their community.

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My church did OCC for a few years and then switched over to a more "homegrown" project we call Operation Border Blessings (OBB).

We partner with a ministry that works all along the US/Mexico border, so a few years ago, we asked if there was a group of needy kids we could pack and donate shoe box gifts for. We were put in touch with a group in Reynosa, Mexico (just across the border from McAllen, Texas) that has a school for the deaf and does a lot of work in the community. They also work with the local government to help build needed buildings (a Ronald McDonald type house at a local government hospital), run medical clinics, visit and do construction/repairs at a local government run orphanage, run English camps and VBS, etc. Anyway, each year, they find a group of families/children in need and we get a list of names and ages of the kids. Members of the congregation pick a child and pack a box. Then, in early January, we send a small team of church members down to Reynosa with our shoe box gifts. They meet the missionaries at the border and personally deliver the boxes on Ephiphany (3 Kings Day, 12th Night, pick a name...it's when many countries traditionally do the big "Christmas" gift exchange). Missionaries (including a local pastor) accompany the team to distribute the gifts and sometimes are able to pray with the families, give them Bibles, etc. The team also takes a picture of each child with their box and, upon returning, prints the pictures and give them to the people who packed the boxes.

This year, OBB boxes are going to an area where the ministry did a medical clinic last summer. This provides another opportunity to help the people there as well as follow-up with the families that were served over the summer.
Last year we also packed a few boxes for a senior citizens home in a very poor area near where we were distributing the boxes and the team was able to distribute those as well.

I think OCC is a great ministry, but I love the personal touch of OBB and the way that it strengthens our partnership with the ministry on the border and allows our members to get a name and a picture of the children who receive the gifts.