It is that time of year again, Operation Christmas Child. There are many kids around the world that do not get Christmas presents. Many of these kids don’t even have toys to play with. Operation Christmas Child helps share the Love of God in a tangible way giving these kids toys and gifts.
August Kicks the start of Operation Christmas Child!
Operation Christmas Child
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Operation Christmas Child National Collection Week November 17–24, 2025
This is usually held the third week in November of each year.
When I First learned
I first learned of this ministry in 2012 while attending Piedmont Baptist in Dandridge, TN. It wasn’t until 2013, I dug more into it because of the passion and interest of a friend I had then.
If you are looking for a way to serve, find a local distribution area or come to the national distribution center and serve. Bring the family or make it a date night.
What is Operation Christmas Child
Operation Christmas Child runs under the Samaritan’s Purse International Relief. They deliver toys and goodies packed inside a shoebox for children around the world. Since 1993, Operation Christmas Child has collected and delivered more than 135 million gift-filled shoeboxes to children in more than 150 countries and territories. For many of these children, the gift-filled shoebox is the first gift they have ever received.
Some of these countries we may not be able to tell them about God, but we can show them about God through these shoeboxes of Agape Love. (a godly love)
Did you know in 2013 has Si Robertson of Duck Commander (Duck Dynasty) who was the celebrity sponsor.
You can find these boxes at local churches or local ministries. Not to mention, you can even order boxes online and find drop off locations online too. You can even use your own plastic box or shoe box too.
Samaritan’s Purse is a Christian relief and evangelism organization led by Franklin Graham, the son of Billy Graham.
Packing a shoebox
Empty cardboard or plastic shoe box
Mark for Boy or Girl
Age Categories: (2-4; 5-9; or 10-14)
Download or print the appropriate label and mark the age.
Fill it with gifts
Include $9* donation per box (helps with shipping and other related cost)
Pray for the child who will receive the shoebox
Local Drop off Dates (Check with your local drop off locations – see list below)
If you order a box online you can follow the shoebox where it goes.
Also now they have labels you can print off to attach to your own box to track the location of your shoebox (where you pay the shipping on the OCC website).
Invite friends over and have a packing party, maybe watch a Christian movie or even the My Hope America
Do it as a kid activity and have the kids join in and help
If you stacked all 100 million shoeboxes on top of each other it will be 26,000 times higher than the Empire State Building
Start early, just start buying stuff all year-long and put it up.
You can even build a box through out the year and mail it to the distribution center in Boone, NC.
OCC puts an activity book in side these boxes and when the children complete them they get a certificate and now can help go spread the love of God.
Imagination
Let your prayers build these shoeboxes. Please keep in mind the items that are not allowed. This list I have can go on and on, but I covered a basic list from a variety of sites. If you want, you can leave tips, comments, suggestions, etc as comments to this blog post. The list can change without notice.
Did you know?
Did you know that in most countries, these children cannot go to school unless they have school supplies? These supplies include pencils and paper. Not to mention, other supplies as listed above. Did you know that most of these kids will take their piece of paper they used today they go home and erase that paper so they can go to school the next day? So school paper, pencils and a lot of erasers are great for them.
Even thought they exceeded their goal for 2015, many children still don’t get a shoebox. In 2016, Janet, a lady at at our church, who is our go to person for this ministry, said a lot of children don’t get a shoebox and get to see others open up one. So Please make sure you do a shoebox or more.
Note about soccer balls
Soccer is very, very popular in these countries. They play with the soccer ball until it wears out. Not just the one child, it gets the community involved and they all play soccer together. So try to include a deflated soccer ball and a pump so the child can pump it up. An inflated soccer ball won’t fit into a shoebox.
To deflate a ball, you need a ball pump with a needle. Detach the needle from the pump. Find the air valve (hole) in the side of the ball. Moisten the needle and slowly push it into the valve until you hear air hissing out. Gently squeeze the ball until it’s as flat as you want it, then carefully pull the needle out. Don’t try to squeeze every last bit of air out of the ball. If you do, the inner part of the valve may damage the lining of the ball so it won’t reinflate. Leave a little bit of air in there to cushion the valve.
Sarah Johnson, on the Operation Christmas Child Facebook page, showed how to deflate a soccer ball.
Please note I did some research and visited other web sites etc, to come up with this blog post. I used things that I figured would be good. Please note these boxes are inspected to make sure that nothing goes that shouldn’t belong.
Check back often and bookmark this page, as this page will be updated regularly to add gift ideas and offer more tips. If you have any please comment with them below.
Originally posted November 9, 2013. Last republished or updated August 9, 2025.
A Christian Blogger that enjoys blogging about the Bible, Theology, God, Jesus Christ, Christian Music, Family, Cats, Odd Holidays, sewing and much more. I have been blogging since 2004, however, I have been blogging on Courageous Christian Father since 2012. I enjoy listening to Christian Music. I am married with 1 daughter, 2 step-sons and a step daughter.
That is totally awesome. It is a great thing. Can you image the look on the child that receives the shoebox. I am sure it is priceless. This is stuff they may have never got before. We here in America take a lot of things for granted. God bless you and your family Tammy Argie
That is totally awesome. It is a great thing. Can you image the look on the child that receives the shoebox. I am sure it is priceless. This is stuff they may have never got before. We here in America take a lot of things for granted. God bless you and your family Tammy Argie
You are very welcome. I am glad that your church is also a part of this ministry too. I’ve tried to make it all inclusive in the one blog post. If you can think of anything I might be able to add, feel free to share. Maybe gift ideas and such. Maybe packing tips etc. Thanks for the comment Scott. Have a great day and God Bless.
Absolutely love Samaritans Purse Boxes. Our family has been filling them and sending them through our church for 18 years. I even had my 4-H club filling boxes. To see smiles on kids faces when they receive their boxes is wonderful.
I packed my first shoe box in 2003. Every year, I watch the videos and every year I cry asking myself why don’t I do more.
Thank you for sharing about this beautiful ministry. First Christian church here in Corbin is huge long time collection site, so large in fact that an actual Samaritans purse semi is usually parked at the chyrch during collection week.
Thanks again for the post.
How how New Market church here is during national collections. Those are sites where area churches drop off at. From there they go to NC and sorted etc thanks for commenting.
Let’s all check this out.
we are doing that at our Church I am helping with postage
we are doing that at our Church I am helping with postage
My family is taking part in this. Love knowing that we will be bringing a smile to a childs face
That is totally awesome. It is a great thing. Can you image the look on the child that receives the shoebox. I am sure it is priceless. This is stuff they may have never got before. We here in America take a lot of things for granted. God bless you and your family Tammy Argie
Yes we do. I grew up poor and to receive a gift of any kind was a blessing.
I know the feeling. It is interesting those who are poorer usually give the most. Just like the widows mite.
My family is taking part in this. Love knowing that we will be bringing a smile to a childs face
That is totally awesome. It is a great thing. Can you image the look on the child that receives the shoebox. I am sure it is priceless. This is stuff they may have never got before. We here in America take a lot of things for granted. God bless you and your family Tammy Argie
Yes we do. I grew up poor and to receive a gift of any kind was a blessing.
I know the feeling. It is interesting those who are poorer usually give the most. Just like the widows mite.
Steve,
Thanks so much for supporting OCC. This is a wonderful ministry that our church supports as well. Your post is packed with all the needed info.
You are very welcome. I am glad that your church is also a part of this ministry too. I’ve tried to make it all inclusive in the one blog post. If you can think of anything I might be able to add, feel free to share. Maybe gift ideas and such. Maybe packing tips etc. Thanks for the comment Scott. Have a great day and God Bless.
Absolutely love Samaritans Purse Boxes. Our family has been filling them and sending them through our church for 18 years. I even had my 4-H club filling boxes. To see smiles on kids faces when they receive their boxes is wonderful.
That’s totally awesome involving the 4-H too. It’s awesome to hear your family involved like that. God bless you all and thank you the comment.
I packed my first shoe box in 2003. Every year, I watch the videos and every year I cry asking myself why don’t I do more.
Thank you for sharing about this beautiful ministry. First Christian church here in Corbin is huge long time collection site, so large in fact that an actual Samaritans purse semi is usually parked at the chyrch during collection week.
Thanks again for the post.
How how New Market church here is during national collections. Those are sites where area churches drop off at. From there they go to NC and sorted etc thanks for commenting.
ours are started right now!
I hope it goes well for you all. Where are you all located?
Steve Patterson Lufkin Texas
Roberta Smith awesome thank you