Operation Christmas Child
November 14, 2010


     Zion friends and neighbors are invited to help in "Operation Christmas Child," a ministry of Samaritan's Purse. Basically, people are invited to fill a shoe box for a boy or girl as a Christmas gift. Many children receiving a gift will never have received anything as a gift in their whole lives! This is an opportunity to love children for Jesus.

How to Pack a Shoe Box      Brenda White and Bonnie Schell from Harvest Church in Summerdale and Virginia Drinkard from Pleasant View Church in Foley (l to r) prepare "shoe boxes" with child gifts for Operations Christmas Child. Many of these boxes are destined for Haiti this year.

     Zion will collect boxes on November 14 and bring them to Harvest Church, South Baldwin's Collection Site. For those in our community who would like to bring gifts to Harvest Church, information for that church follows this brief tutorial:

     How to Pack a Shoe Box
  1. SHOE BOX - Use an empty shoe box (standard size, please) or a small plastic container. You can wrap the box (lid separately), but wrapping is not required. Most importantly, pray for the child who will receive your gift.

  2. BOY OR GIRL - Determine whether your gift will be for a boy or a girl, and the child’s age category: 2-4, 5-9, or 10-14. Print the appropriate boy/girl label. Mark the correct age category on the label, and tape the label to the top of your box.

  3. FILL WITH GIFTS - Fill the box with a variety of gifts that will bring delight to a child. Gift ideas provided below.

  4. INCLUDE YOUR DONATION - Please donate $7 or more for each shoe box you prepare to help cover shipping and other project costs. You can give online by using our EZGIVE option, or you can write a check to Samaritan’s Purse (note “OCC” on memo line) and place it in an envelope on top of the gift items inside your box. If you or your family are preparing more than one shoe box, please make one combined donation.

  5. DROP OFF - Get your shoe box to church next Sunday and we will get your box to the drop off site.
     GIFT IDEAS
  • TOYS - small cars, balls, dolls, stuffed animals, kazoos, harmonicas, yo-yos, jump ropes, small Etch A Sketch®, toys that light up or make noise (with extra batteries), Slinky®, etc.

  • SCHOOL SUPPLIES - pens, pencils and sharpener, crayons or markers, stamps and ink pad sets, writing pads or paper, solar calculators, coloring and picture books, etc.

  • HYGIENE ITEMS - toothbrush, toothpaste, mild bar soap (in a plastic bag), comb, washcloth, etc.

  • OTHER - Hard candy and lollipops (please double bag all candy), mints, gum, T-shirts, socks, ball caps; sunglasses, hair clips, toy jewelry, watches, flashlights (with extra batteries)

  • A PERSONAL NOTE - In a separate envelope, you may enclose a note to the child and a photo of yourself or your family. (If you include your name and address, the child may write back.)

  • DO NOT INCLUDE: Used or damaged items; war-related items such as toy guns, knives or military figures; chocolate or food; out-of-date candy; liquids or lotions; medications or vitamins; breakable items such as snow globes or glass containers; aerosol cans

Summerdale's Harvest Church to Be Drop-Off for "Operation Christmas Child"
November 15 - 21, 2010

     Harvest Church in Summerdale will serve as the South Baldwin County Drop-Off Location for "Operation Christmas Child," a project of Samaritan's Purse.

Harvest Church Summerdale's Harvest Church will host Operation Christmas Child's Drop-Off Site for South Baldwin County. Brenda White and Bonnie Schell from Harvest Church and Virginia Drinkard from Pleasant View Church in Foley (l to r) unfolded outdoor signage for the first time. Harvest Church is located on Highway 59 in the Summerdale Village Shopping Center.

     Operation Christmas Child brings joy and hope to children in desperate situations around the world through gift-filled shoe boxes and the Good News of God’s love.

     Since 1993, more than 77 million shoe boxes have been packed, shipped, and delivered across the globe. People of all ages can be involved in this simple, hands-on missions project while focusing on the true meaning of Christmas' Jesus Christ.

     Samaritan's Purse, a ministry of Franklin Graham, collects shoe boxes filled with school supplies, hygiene items and toys for children in countries all over the world.

     Participants can be churches, individuals, families, businesses, school classrooms, civic, community or senior groups.

     Harvest Church is located on Highway 59 in the Summerdale Village Shopping Center. Information for finding the church is available by calling 251-989-2228 or by visiting its website, Harvest Church. The collection dates are Monday, November 15 to Sunday, November 21, 1:00 P.M. until 5:00 P.M. each day.

     For information needed to pack the shoe boxes, visit the organization’s website, Samaritan's Purse, or call 1-800-353-5949.