This year the official count is in and [drumroll] you beat last year’s total by more than 600 gifts! The 2024 Grand Total is 6,887 shoebox gifts in just the New Orleans area! WAY TO GEAUX!
Even though National Collection Week is over, you can still build a shoebox gift this Christmas ONLINE! CLICK HERE to start putting together your special Christmas package for a little boy or girl!
Merry Christmas – and thank you for sending REAL Christmas around the world this year through Operation Christmas Child.
God gave us the greatest gift – his son Jesus. During this season of gift giving, we have a special opportunity to not only bring Christmas Spirit to the entire world, but also share the REASON for this season – with Operation Christmas Child!
There are many new drop-off locations – and several former sites have been retired. Check for the spots closest to you – and yep, they’ll have their classic green and red shoeboxes there for you to use!
It all starts with you! Join what God is doing through Operation Christmas Child and pack a shoebox with gifts. From children to seniors, people pack shoebox gifts each year to bless children in need around around the world. The children who receive these gifts also hear the message of the Gospel and have the opportunity to grow in Christ. Families are reached, churches grow, new churches are started, and communities are transformed.
LifeSongs encourages you, your family, your church, your workplace, and your school to be part of the worldʼs largest Christmas project for children. Help them receive the love of Christ in a tangible way, through the power of a simple gift.
Since 1993, over 220 million children in more than 170 countries have received an Operation Christmas Child shoebox.
Build-A-Box by giving a shoebox gift online.
Even after National Collection week – you can still build a Shoebox gift online!
How To Pack a Shoebox:
Start with an average-size cardboard or plastic shoebox. If you want to wrap it, cover the box and lid separately.
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 out the appropriate boy/girl label by downloading the artwork. Mark the correct age category on the label, and tape the label to the top of your box.
Select a medium to large “wow” item such as a soccer ball with pump or stuffed animal, then fill with other fun toys, hygiene items, and school supplies.
See gifts suggestions at Here!!
Most importantly, pray for the child who will receive your gift. You can also include a personal note and photo.
Please donate $9 or more for each shoe box you prepare to help cover shipping and other project costs. You can give online by using our “Follow Your Box Donation” 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. (You can also print out box labels here!)
Place a rubber band around each closed shoe box and drop it off at the collection center nearest you during our collection week, November 17th-25th. Find the location closest to you here!
Gift Ideas:
Click here to find a drop-off site near you.
Other ways to help:
Build-A-Box Online
You can still help share God’s love with children around the world even if you don’t have time to shop for and pack an Operation Christmas Child shoebox gift. With a few clicks of your mouse or swipes on your touchscreen, you can build a shoebox online. Make it your own by choosing from a list of gifts, then add a personal letter and photo. We’ll pack your shoebox and send it for you, for a suggested donation of $25. Each shoebox gift built online will become a tangible expression of God’s love that will be given to children in real need.
Cover Operation Christmas Child in Prayer
Your prayers are essential to the work of Operation Christmas Child, so join us in prayer during the National Collection Week. Pray for people packing the boxes, the volunteers who will be collecting, processing and delivering the gifts, and for the children receiving them.
For more information, check out the Samaritan’s Purse Frequently Asked Questions!