The Amazing Journey of a Simple Shoebox Gift
Begins with You and Results in Evangelism, Discipleship, and Multiplication
Operation Christmas Child
is a project of Samaritan’s Purse, an international relief organization. Their mission is to provide local partners around the world with shoeboxes filled with small toys, hygiene items, and school supplies as a means of reaching out to children in their own communities with the Good News of Jesus Christ. They ship these simple gifts outside the United States to children affected by war, poverty, natural disaster, famine, and disease.
Last year, Crossroads Church of God, was able to put together 200 shoebox gifts for this cause, but we want to do more! Our goal this year is 300 boxes, but we need your help! Every donation, big or small, helps fill a shoebox for a child. And 100% of your donation goes towards this goal. So whether you want to fill your own shoebox gift, or have us do it, help us spread God’s word!
We are now accepting donations, and it’s easy! Click on the donate now button, and you can opt in to donate to have an entire shoebox gift filled by us, or any custom amount that you would like. If you want to fill a shoebox on your own, check out the suggestions below.
Why Shoebox Gifts?
Shoebox gifts are a way 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. Every gift-filled shoebox is a powerful tool for evangelism and discipleship. As shoebox gifts are distributed, local pastors or church leaders present the Gospel in a fun way designed for kids while family and friends listen in. Along with their shoebox gift, children also receive The Greatest Gift, a colorful presentation of the Gospel in their own language, and a Bible.
Their shoebox is the first gift many children have ever received! The treasures and personal letters inside communicate that someone cares for them and give them an opportunity to experience the love of God.
How to Pack a Shoebox
Find a Shoebox - Start with an average-size cardboard or plastic shoebox. If you want to wrap it, cover the box and lid separately.
Girl or Boy? - Decide whether you will pack a box for a girl or a boy, and the age category: 2–4, 5–9, or 10–14.
Fill With Gifts - 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. (More gift ideas below!)
Pray - Most importantly, pray for the child who will receive your gift. You can also include a personal note and photo.
Follow Your Box Labels -
Drop Off - Bring us your shoebox! We will take care of the delivery for you!
When Is The Drop Off Deadline?
What Goes in My Shoebox?
Start with a quality “wow” item such as a stuffed animal, soccer ball with pump, or clothing outfit that will capture the child’s attention the instant he or she opens the box. See our gift suggestions according to age and gender listed below for other fun toys, hygiene items, and school supplies to fill the shoebox.
GIRLS
Ages 2 - 4
+ A "Wow" Item
- Doll
- Soccer ball (Make sure to include a manual air pump so that the ball can be reinflated.)
- Stuffed animal
- An outfit of clothing to wear
- Small musical instrument (such as a harmonica or woodwind recorder)
+ Personal Care Items
- Comb
- Hairbrush
- Toothbrush
- Washcloth
- Bar soap (packaged and/or in a container)
- Adhesive bandages (Colorful ones can help a child be more willing to wear a bandage. Do not include liquid antibiotic ointment.)
- Reusable plastic containers: cup, water bottle, plate, bowl, blunt-edged utensils (Consider filling an empty container with non-liquid items such as hair bows, bracelets, sunglasses, or washcloths to maximize the space.)
- Blanket
+ Clothing & Accessories
- Shirts and pants
- Pillowcase dress (loose-fitting sundress)
- Underwear
- Shoes and socks
- Flip-flops
- Hat/scarf/mittens
- Sunglasses
- Tote bag/purse
- Hair bows
- Friendship bracelets (woven with yarn or embroidery thread)
+ Crafts & Activities
- Pencils
- Small manual pencil sharpener
- Colored pencils
- Pencil case
- Crayons
- Markers
- Pens
- Coloring pads
- Coloring books
- Picture book
- Notebooks
- Glue stick (Do not include liquid glue.)
- Small adhesive tape
- Watercolor set [Finger paint palette/crayons/markers (non-liquid containers), paint brushes, canvas or paper]
- Playdough (Consider adding plastic cookie cutters as non-sharp utensils the child can use with the playdough.)
- Stickers
- Skipping rope/Jump rope
+ Toys
- Foam ball
- Kickball (Make sure to include a manual air pump so that the ball can be reinflated)
- Finger puppets
- Slinky
- Etch A Sketch
- Interactive toys that include push buttons, lights, noise (include extra batteries)
Ages 5 - 9
+ A "Wow" Item
- Doll (Consider including accessories such as doll clothes or a small doll bed.)
- Soccer ball (Make sure to include a manual air pump so that the ball can be reinflated.)
- Stuffed animal
- An outfit of clothing to wear
- Small musical instrument (such as a harmonica or woodwind recorder)
- Backpack
+ Personal Care Items
- Comb
- Hairbrush
- Toothbrush
- Washcloth
- Bar soap (packaged and/or in a container)
- Adhesive bandages (Colorful ones can help a child be more willing to wear a bandage. Do not include liquid antibiotic ointment.)
- Reusable plastic containers: cup, water bottle, plate, bowl, blunt-edged utensils (Consider filling an empty container with non-liquid items such as hair bows, bracelets, sunglasses, or washcloths to maximize the space.)
- Blanket
- Non-liquid lip balm
- Flashlight (solar-powered or hand-crank; if battery operated, be sure to include extra batteries of the type needed)
- Compact mirror
+ School Supplies
- Pencils
- Small manual pencil sharpener
- Colored pencils
- Pencil case
- Pens
- Crayons
- Markers
- Notebooks
- Blank index cards
- Solar-powered calculator
- Scissors
- Ruler
- Protractor
- Glue stick (do not include liquid glue)
- Small adhesive tape
+ Clothing & Accessories
- Shirts and pants
- Pillowcase dress (loose-fitting sundress)
- Underwear
- Shoes and socks
- Flip-flops
- Hat/scarf/mittens
- Sunglasses
- Tote bag/purse
- Hair bows
- Friendship bracelets (woven with yarn or embroidery thread)
+ Crafts & Activities
- Coloring books
- Watercolor set [Finger paint palette/crayons/markers (non-liquid containers), paint brushes, canvas or paper]
- Puzzles
- Playdough (Consider adding plastic cookie cutters as non-sharp utensils the child can use with the playdough.)
- Stickers
- Chalkboard and chalk
- Binoculars
- Skipping rope/Jump rope
+ Toys
- Foam ball
- Kickball (Make sure to include a manual air pump so that the ball can be reinflated.)
- Costume items to play dress-up, such as crowns and costume jewelry
- Plastic toys and toy figures
- Yo-yo
- Small Frisbee
- Small kite
- Etch A Sketch
Ages 10 - 14
+ A "Wow" Item
- Doll (Consider including accessories such as doll clothes or a small doll bed.)
- Soccer ball (Make sure to include a manual air pump so that the ball can be reinflated.)
- Stuffed animal
- An outfit of clothing to wear
- Small musical instrument (such as a harmonica or woodwind recorder.)
- Backpack
+ Personal Care Items
- Comb
- Hairbrush
- Toothbrush
- Washcloth
- Bar soap (packaged and/or in a container)
- Adhesive bandages (Colorful ones can help a child be more willing to wear a bandage. Do not include liquid antibiotic ointment.)
- Reusable plastic containers: cup, water bottle, plate, bowl, blunt-edged utensils (Consider filling an empty container with non-liquid items such as hair bows, bracelets, sunglasses, or washcloths to maximize the space.)
- Blanket
- Non-liquid lip balm
- Flashlight (solar-powered or hand-crank; if battery operated, be sure to include extra batteries of the type needed)
- Compact mirror
- Nail clipper and file
- Stick deodorant
- Washable/reusable cloth menstrual pads
+ School Supplies
- Pencils
- Small manual pencil sharpener
- Colored pencils
- Pencil case
- Pens
- Crayons
- Markers
- Notebooks
- Blank index cards
- Solar-powered calculator
- Scissors
- Ruler
- Protractor
- Glue stick (Do not include liquid glue.)
- Small adhesive tape
+ Clothing & Accessories
- Shirts and pants
- Pillowcase dress (loose-fitting sundress)
- Underwear
- Shoes and socks
- Flip-flops
- Hat/scarf/mittens
- Decorative hat
- Wrist watch
- Sunglasses
- Tote bag/purse
- Bead jewelry/bead kit
- Hair accessories (hair clips, hair ribbons, elastic hair bands, etc.)
+ Crafts & Activities
- Puzzles
- Binoculars
- Compass
- Chalkboard and chalk
- Sewing kit, fabric (1-2 yards), and ribbon
- Laminated decorative pictures with looped ribbon attached as a picture hanger
- Gardening kit with gloves and trowel hand tool (Do not include gardening seeds.)
- Playing cards
- Skipping rope/Jump rope
+ Toys
- Foam ball
- Kickball (Make sure to include a manual air pump so that the ball can be reinflated.)
- Yo-yo
- Small Frisbee
- Small kite
- Etch A Sketch
- Kaleidoscope
- Marbles
BOYS
Ages 2 - 4
+ A "Wow" Item
- Soccer ball (Make sure to include a manual air pump so that the ball can be reinflated.)
- Stuffed animal
- An outfit of clothing to wear
- Small musical instrument (such as a harmonica or woodwind recorder)
+ Personal Care Items
- Comb
- Hairbrush
- Toothbrush
- Washcloth
- Bar soap (packaged and/or in a container)
- Adhesive bandages (Colorful ones can help a child be more willing to wear a bandage. Do not include liquid antibiotic ointment.)
- Reusable plastic containers: cup, water bottle, plate, bowl, blunt-edged utensils (Consider filling an empty container with non-liquid items such as combs, markers, sunglasses, or washcloths to maximize the space.)
- Blanket
+ Clothing & Accessories
- Shirts and pants
- Underwear
- Shoes and socks
- Flip-flops
- Hat/scarf/mittens
- Sunglasses
+ Crafts & Activities
- Pencils
- Small manual pencil sharpener
- Colored pencils
- Pencil case
- Pens
- Crayons
- Markers
- Coloring pads
- Coloring books
- Picture book
- Notebooks
- Glue stick (Do not include liquid glue.)
- Small adhesive tape
- Watercolor set [Finger paint palette/crayons/markers (non-liquid containers), paint brushes, canvas or paper]
- Building blocks
- Playdough (Consider adding plastic cookie cutters as non-sharp utensils the child can use with the playdough.)
- Stickers
+ Toys
- Foam ball
- Kickball (Make sure to include a manual air pump so that the ball can be reinflated.)
- Tennis ball
- Finger puppets
- Slinky
- Etch A Sketch
- Play cars/trucks/boats
- Plastic tools
- Plastic dinosaurs
- Interactive toys that include push buttons, lights, noise (include extra batteries)
Ages 5 - 9
+ A "Wow" Item
- Soccer ball (Make sure to include a manual air pump so that the ball can be reinflated.)
- Toy truck or boat
- Stuffed animal
- An outfit of clothing to wear
- Small musical instrument (such as a harmonica or woodwind recorder)
- Backpack
+ Personal Care Items
- Comb
- Hairbrush
- Toothbrush
- Washcloth
- Bar soap (packaged and/or in a container)
- Adhesive bandages (Colorful ones can help a child be more willing to wear a bandage. Do not include liquid antibiotic ointment.)
- Reusable plastic containers: cup, water bottle, plate, bowl, blunt-edged utensils (Consider filling an empty container with non-liquid items such as combs, markers, sunglasses, or washcloths to maximize the space.)
- Blanket
- Non-liquid lip balm
- Flashlight (solar-powered or hand-crank; if battery operated, be sure to include extra batteries of the type needed)
+ School Supplies
- Pencils
- Small manual pencil sharpener
- Erasers
- Colored pencils
- Pencil case
- Pens
- Crayons
- Markers
- Notebooks
- Blank index cards
- Solar-powered calculator
- Scissors
- Ruler
- Protractor
- Glue stick (Do not include liquid glue.)
- Small adhesive tape
+ Clothing & Accessories
- Shirts and pants
- Underwear
- Shoes and socks
- Flip-flops
- Wrist watch
- Hat/scarf/mittens
- Sunglasses
+ Crafts & Activities
- Coloring books
- Watercolor set [Finger paint palette/crayons/markers (non-liquid containers), paint brushes, canvas or paper]
- Puzzles
- Playdough (Consider adding plastic cookie cutters as non-sharp utensils the child can use with the playdough.)
- Stickers
- Chalkboard and chalk
- Binoculars
- Building blocks
- Tool set
+ Toys
- Foam ball
- Kickball (Make sure to include a manual air pump so that the ball can be reinflated.)
- Baseball and mitt
- Tennis ball
- Plastic dinosaurs, animals, action figures (nothing war-related)
- Toy cars
- Yo-yo
- Small Frisbee
- Small kite
- Etch A Sketch
- Hacky sack
Ages 10 - 14
+ A "Wow" Item
- Soccer ball/football (Make sure to include a manual air pump so that the ball can be reinflated.)
- Toy truck or boat
- Stuffed animal
- An outfit of clothing to wear
- Small musical instrument (such as a harmonica or woodwind recorder)
- Backpack
+ Personal Care Items
- Comb
- Hairbrush
- Toothbrush
- Washcloth
- Bar soap (packaged and/or in a container)
- Adhesive bandages (Colorful ones can help a child be more willing to wear a bandage. Do not include liquid antibiotic ointment.)
- Reusable plastic containers: cup, water bottle, plate, bowl, blunt-edged utensils (Consider filling an empty container with non-liquid items such as combs, markers, sunglasses, or washcloths to maximize the space.)
- Blanket
- Non-liquid lip balm
- Flashlight (solar-powered or hand-crank; if battery operated, be sure to include extra batteries of the type needed)
- Nail clipper and file
- Non-liquid lip balm
- Stick deodorant
+ School Supplies
- Pencils
- Small manual pencil sharpener
- Erasers
- Colored pencils
- Pencil case
- Pens
- Crayons
- Markers
- Notebooks
- Blank index cards
- Solar-powered calculator
- Scissors
- Ruler
- Protractor
- Glue stick (do not include liquid glue)
- Small adhesive tape
+ Clothing & Accessories
- Shirts and pants
- Underwear
- Shoes and socks
- Flip-flops
- Wrist watch
- Hat/scarf/mittens
- Sunglasses
- Bandana
+ Crafts & Activities
- Puzzles
- Binoculars
- Compass
- Chalkboard with chalk
- Tool set with work gloves
- Fishing kit
- Brightly colored rope or twine
- Gardening kit with gloves and trowel (no seeds)
- Magnets
- Kaleidoscope
- Skipping rope/jump rope
- Playing cards
- Marbles
+ Toys
- Foam ball
- Kickball (Make sure to include a manual air pump so that the ball can be reinflated.)
- Baseball and mitt
- Tennis ball
- Yo-yo
- Small Frisbee
- Small kite
- Hacky sack
- Toy cars
DO NOT INCLUDE:
Candy; toothpaste; gum; used or damaged items; war-related items such as toy guns, knives, or military figures; chocolate or food; seeds; fruit rolls or other fruit snacks; drink mixes (powdered or liquid); liquids or lotions; medications or vitamins; breakable items such as snow globes or glass containers; aerosol cans.