OPERATION CHRISTMAS CHILD

Saint Matthews Sunday School started participating in Operation Christmas Child several years ago. Today, it has become a parish wide opportunity to reach out and spread the news of God's love with needy children around the world.

 

In 2008 we donated 37 gift filled shoe boxes to Operation Christmas Child; this year we are hoping to double that number!

Click here to link through to the Samaritan's Purse Website to view a video showing the difference these Christmas Gifts make in the lives of the recipient child, and to see how the program works.

 

 

 

HOW CAN YOU HELP?

This year at Saint Matthews, we are trying to make it possible for everyone in our parish to participate.

FIND A BOX: If you do not have a shoe box, you can also purchase a similar sized plastic box (Dollar Tree or Walmart) to use. The Youth Group have also pre-wrapped several shoe boxes ready for congregation members to pick up and just fill. If you have a spare shoe box, bring it and put it on the table for someone else to use!

TAKE A LEAFLET: On Sunday October 11th, a leaflet was inserted into every Worship Bulletin. Spare leaflets are available from the church office or from the Operation Christmas Child Table in the back of the church. This tells you exactly how to pack your box and provides the labels and forms you need for each box.

CHOOSE THE SEX AND AGE OF THE RECIPIENT OF YOUR GIFT: The age groupings are ages 2 - 4, 5 - 9 and 10 - 15. Labels are provided that should be attached to the top of your gift box.

FILL YOUR BOX: Here are some ideas of what to fill your box with.

Small toys such as cars, balls, dolls, stuffed animals, yo yos, harmonicas, jump ropes, toys that light up or make a noise (include spare batteries please), slinkys and toy jewellry. Do not include war related items such as military figures or toy guns, knives etc.

School supplies such as pens, paper, crayons, markers, stamps, ink pads, solar calculators, coloring books.

Hygiene items such as toothpaste, toothbrushes, mild soap( in a plastic bag), hair brush, wash cloth. Do not include liquids, lotions or aerosols

Other items such as hard candy, gum or lollipops (no chocolate or other food items allowed), t-shirts, socks, flash lights (include spare batteries), sun glasses or hats.

INCLUDE A DONATION: Samaritans Purse ask for a $7 donation to help cover transport costs. If at all possible, please pay this online at https://www.samaritanspurse.org/index.php/OCC/EZ_Give_Donations

By paying online, you will receive an email receipt that includes a lable to attach to your box. You will also receive an email stating which country your box is being shipped to which we would like to track on a Sunday School map. When you receive this email, please forward it to lucy @stmattswv.com

If you do not want to pay online, you can enclose a $7 check on top of your gifts inside the shoe box along with the form included on the leaflet.

RETURN YOUR FILLED BOX: Please bring your filled box into church, Sunday school or the church office by November 8th. We will take them to a local drop off location.

 

DON"T HAVE TIME BUT WANT TO HELP? Then please take a wrapped box, and put a check in it to cover the cost of the gifts and the $7 donation fee. The youth group will go shopping on your behalf.

SUNDAY SCHOOL CHILDREN: The Sunday School on Sunday October 11th, learned all about Operation Christmas Child and started to create letters they can put in their boxes. We ask every Sunday School child to participate, and hope parents will help them choose the age and sex of their recipient child, help wrap a shoe box or decorate a plastic box, and help select the gifts to be included.