Drop off your shoeboxes at
95.3 Praise FM
November 14-21
Please join us in packing shoeboxes for children through Operation Christmas Child. Collection week is November 14-21 and you can drop off shoeboxes at Praise FM or other participating collection centers.
Our Praise FM studio building in the Twin Cities is - 910 Elliot Avenue, Minneapolis, MN 55404 (corner of 15th and Chicago). Click to view google map directions.
Here's a video about Operation Christmas Child and info on how to pack a shoebox:
Operation Christmas Child
Packing a shoebox is a wonderful way to bless to a child. Each shoebox is a gift of hope and love to a child, plus they receive a beautifully illustrated booklet in their own language that tells the salvation message. Pack a shoebox and pray for the child. 8 million children received shoeboxes last year, and over 95 countries have received shoeboxes since 1993.
Q. WHAT IS THE MISSION OF OPERATION CHRISTMAS CHILD?
A. The mission of Operation Christmas Child is to demonstrate God's love in a tangible way to needy children around the world, and together with the local church worldwide, to share the Good News of Jesus Christ.
Q. WHAT SHOULD I PUT IN MY SHOE BOX?
A. We have put together a list of suggestions and things to avoid when packing your box:
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Used or damaged items; war-related items such as toy guns, knives or military figures; chocolate or food; out-of-date candy; liquids or lotions; medications or vitamins; breakable items such as snowglobes or glass containers; aerosol cans
Q. DO I HAVE TO USE A SHOE BOX?
A. No, you may also use a similarly sized plastic storage container with a removable lid or other similarly sized box.
Q. CAN I WRAP MY SHOEBOX?
A. Yes, but please remember to wrap the lid separately.
Q. WHERE SHOULD I TAKE MY FINISHED SHOE BOX?
A. 95.3 Praise FM studio November 15-22 or click on the link at samaritanspurse.org to find a location near you.
Q. WHERE WILL MY SHOE BOX BE DELIVERED?
A. Shoe box destination countries vary from year to year.
Q. WHAT DOES THE $7 COVER? CAN I SEND CASH?
A. A donation of $7 or more helps us cover project expenses like shipping the boxes. We prefer that these donations be made by check or by using our new online donation option (called "EZGive").
Q. IF I SEND MORE THAN ONE BOX, CAN I WRITE ONE CHECK FOR ALL OF THEM?
A. Yes, you may write one check for them all and place it in any one of your boxes.
Q. WHAT IS SAMARITAN'S PURSE?
A. Samaritan's Purse is a Christian relief and evangelism organization led by Franklin Graham. Read about our history here.
A portion of a shoebox story from the OCC website:
...At another refugee center in an old school building outside of the capital of Tbilisi, 50 children heard a presentation of the Gospel and received words of comfort from a member of the Operation Christmas Child National Leadership Team in Georgia. (Russia)
“We are bringing gifts that were specially prepared for you by children in America,” explained Pastor Gela. “They want to encourage you during your time of crisis.”
One at a time, the children walked to the front of the classroom to receive their boxes and Greatest Gift of All Gospel booklets written in the Georgian language. They returned to their seats and patiently waited until every child received a box before they opened them.
One girl lifted a cuddly brown teddy bear from her box and cradled it in her arms. A teenage boy got a green baseball cap and slapped it on his head, grinning.
For the past decade, Pastor Gela’s Pentecostal church in Tbilisi has worked with Operation Christmas Child to help deliver shoe boxes to youngsters in some of the poorest neighborhoods in the country.
“We are always trying to expand our ministry to children,” he said. “The boxes give us an opportunity to reach out to them in a way that would not be possible otherwise. They are a good tool for explaining to them who Jesus is and to share the Gospel with them.”
