Our Shoebox Ministry Team collects supplies all year for Operation Christmas Child. We pack and prepare the boxes from September through November. At the beginning of November we have a special Collection and Dedication time during the morning worship service. When they leave Delaney, they are packaged to go to various countries, ministering to thousands of children all over the world!!
What goes in the box is fun… what comes out is eternal. Every gift-filled shoebox is a powerful tool for evangelism and discipleship, transforming the lives of children and their families around the world. Will you help? See Carol Smith or stop by the Delaney Church Library for more details.
WAYS TO SERVE:
We need help with filling Operation Christmas Child Shoeboxes. Please take one or more of the shoeboxes located around our church campus. Fill them and return them with $10 per box for a shipping donation. Details to fill your box are listed on our below.
DELANEY’S Operation Christmas Child Shoebox Ministry operates all year round.
We have some “Shoebox Help Time” opportunities in throughout the year. Check the Church Calendar for “Shoebox Help Times”, or see Carol Smith in the Library for days, times, and details. You can drop off items in the Shoebox Donation Boxes around campus all year.
SHOEBOX MINISTRY EVENTS:
We’re planning to pack 180+ Operation Christmas Child Shoeboxes this year and we are requesting donations for shipping and handling to cover the cost ($10 per box). We request all boxes be in by November 13th. We will have an Operation Christmas Child Shoebox Dedication on the following Sunday in November. If you would like to help with the Shoebox Drop-Off, need boxes to fill, or have questions about how to pack them, please see Carol in the Church Library.
Below are a few ways you can help…
1 – Fill a shoebox with gifts (see lists)
2 – Donate:
– Empty shoeboxes (cardboard or plastic)
– Packing Supplies (tape, shipping tape, leftover gift wrap, XL rubber bands, ziplock bags (snack size to quart size)
– Shoebox gifts (see lists)
– Money for shipping/handling, shoebox costs or other shoebox supplies.
– Old Christmas Cards/postcards for decorating shoeboxes.
3 – Volunteer to help:
– Decorate donated shoeboxes
– Organize donated gifts and supplies
– Make shoebox gifts
– Transport filled shoeboxes to collection point
4 – Pray! Pray! Pray! Prayer Guide/Bookmarks are available in the Library and can also be dowloaded by clicking here.
Send the Gospel to the Ends of the Earth
Shoebox gifts go to the ends of the earth to children in some of the hardest-to-reach places—whether deep jungles, city slums, steep mountainsides, or one of more than 1,000 remote Pacific islands. Many of these areas are resistant to the Gospel, for cultural or religious reasons, and are home to numerous unreached people groups, some of whom have never heard the Name of Jesus Christ.
When you Build a Shoebox, it provides believers in remote regions a creative way to share the Good News in a culturally sensitive manner. Online boxes are carefully prepared, abiding by strict customs regulations to safeguard partners who will deliver the gifts, as well as the boys and girls who receive them. Jesus said, “Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations” (Matthew 28:19). Help fulfill the Great Commission and take the Gospel to the ends of the earth by building a shoebox online today!
Shoebox Gift Suggestions:
Delight a kid! Start with a medium to large item that will capture the child’s attention the instant he or she opens the box.
Ideas include: Soccer ball with pump, Stuffed animal, Toys (puppets, trucks, etc.), Doll (baby, Barbie, etc.), Musical instrument, Outfit, Shoes
Toys: Include items that children will immediately embrace such as toy cars, yo-yos, jump ropes, balls, toys that light up and make noise (with extra batteries), etc.
School Supplies: pens, pencils and sharpeners, crayons, markers, notebooks, paper, solar calculators, coloring and picture books, etc.
Non-liquid Hygiene Items: toothbrushes, bar soap, combs, washcloths, etc.
Accessories: T-shirts, socks, hats, sunglasses, hair clips, jewelry, watches, flashlights (with extra batteries), etc.
Crafts: Make your own items such as hair bows, finger puppets, and friendship bracelets. Download instructions here.
A Personal Note: You may enclose a note to the child and a photo of yourself, your family, or group. If you include your name and an address, the child may be able to write back.
Do Not Include: Used or damaged items; war-related items such as toy guns, knives, or military figures; chocolate or food; candy; fruit rolls or other fruit snacks; drink mixes (powdered or liquid); toothpaste; liquids or lotions; medications or vitamins; breakable items such as snow globes or glass containers; aerosol cans.
What Goes in My Shoebox?
Start with a quality “WOW ITEM”: such as a stuffed animal or soccer ball with pump 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.
⇠ Back to How to Pack a Shoebox
Gift Suggestions
CLICK HERE for an organized list by age and gender for ideas to include in your shoebox gifts. As an optional resource, Operation Christmas Child now also has an Amazon storefront with additional lists of quality items that are recommended for shoeboxes. As you shop, don’t forget to ask God to lead you to what will particularly delight the heart of a child!
Christmas is all year long at Delaney. Items are collected and sorted all year for our Operation Christmas Child Shoebox Ministry. Donations can be dropped off in containers at various locations around our campus, or dropped off at the church office. Below are suggested donations items for each month, but we gladly accept any donation at any time!
JANUARY: we ask for donations of old Christmas Cards.
FEBRUARY: we ask for quality “wow” item such as a stuffed animal, small ball, or a clothing outfit that will capture the child’s attention the instant he or she opens the box!
MARCH: we ask for donations of children’s hygiene products such as toothbrushes, pocket tissues, combs, brushes, stick deodorant, bar soap, washcloths, and hair accessories.
APRIL: we ask for donations of Children’s wearable items, such as hats, gloves, sunglasses, jewelry, watches, flip flops, socks, t-shirts, scarves, bandana’s, etc. Dollar Tree has these items at low prices.
MAY: we ask for donations of empty shoeboxes (Cardboard or Plastic).
JUNE: we ask for donations of items for Girls, such as toys, clothes, school supplies, etc.
JULY: we ask for donations of items for Boys, such as toys, clothes, school supplies, etc. We’re also collecting adult coloring books, boys and girls t-shirts, and school supplies.
AUGUST: we ask for shoeboxes filled with gifts, or fill them at our packing parties.
SEPTEMBER: we ask for monetary donations to cover the cost of shipping ($9).
OCTOBER: we ask for monetary donations to cover the cost of shipping ($9).
NOVEMBER: we ask for monetary donations to cover the cost of shipping ($9)
Operation Christmas Child Shoebox Help Times
Our Shoebox ministry has group help times all year long. Come join the fun for this worthy cause! These are held in Room C201.
Sponsor a complete box for $15. This covers the cost of shipping, as well as all of the gifts inside the box.
Can This Go in My Shoebox? FAQ’s
Are playing cards allowed?
Yes! Playing cards can be included in your shoebox gifts.
How about little toys like spiders, bugs, snakes, etc.?
All of those items are allowed.
Can we include batteries?
Yes. However, if the batteries are loose, both ends must be covered with tape.
Can videos, CDs, and DVDs be included?
Yes, all of these may be included in your shoebox gifts. However, keep in mind that the children may not have a DVD player or CD player available.
Can we include paint sets or glue bottles?
No, both of these items are liquids and can’t be included in your shoebox gifts. However, dry paint sets (such as watercolors) or glue sticks are OK to pack!
Can we include a toolkit with nails, screws, screwdrivers, and hammers?
Yes! The only tools that can’t be included are saws or pocketknives.
Are scissors OK?
Yes! Scissors are OK to include in your shoebox gifts.
Can items with camouflage be included?
If the child can wear or use the items without looking like a soldier, they are OK to include in your shoebox gift. Pink or colored camouflage is safe as are pencils, wallets, or socks.
Are squirt guns allowed?
Squirt guns can be included as long as they do not look like real guns. Brightly colored squirt guns are great to pack in your shoebox gift.
Can glow sticks go in a shoebox gift?
Yes, glow sticks are OK to pack in your gift. If the tube breaks, the liquid does not spill out and can’t damage other items.
Can we include wet wipes?
Yes, wet wipes do not have enough liquid to spill out into the shoebox so they are OK to include in your gift.
Can rubber balls be included if they have liquid glitter inside?
No, these would be considered inappropriate because of the liquid.
What type of candy is allowed in shoebox gifts?
During 2016 collection, appropriate candy included hard candy, candy corn, gummy bears, caramels, taffy, gum and Tootsie Rolls. For all of these, make sure that the expiration date is at least six months after National Collection Week. You may not include Hershey Kisses, Snickers bars, or any other chocolate, fruit roll-ups, fruit snacks, or drink mixes such as Kool-Aid. Now in 2017, no type of candy at all will be allowed in shoebox gifts, due to increasing customs regulations. Please email us at occinfo@samaritan.org if you have any questions.
Is lip gloss OK to pack in a shoebox gift?
Lip gloss is a liquid and can’t be included. However, Chapstick, lip balm or lipstick can go!
Can I include toothpaste in my shoebox?
During 2016 collection, toothpaste was allowed in shoebox gifts as long as the expiration date is at least six months after National Collection Week. Now in 2017, toothpaste will not be allowed in shoebox gifts, due to increasing customs regulations. Please email us at occinfo@samaritan.org if you have any questions.
Is Play-Doh OK to pack in a shoebox gift?
Yes, Play-Doh can be included in your shoebox gift. However, some children might think it is edible.
Can compact mirrors go in a shoebox gift?
Yes. Compact mirrors can be included because if the glass shatters, it will be contained.