Operation Christmas Child

Operation Christmas Child is an outreach of Samaritan’s Purse—a Christian humanitarian organization run by Franklin Graham, Billy Graham’s son—that distributes shoeboxes filled with toys, art supplies, personal care items, and Christian literature to children around the globe.  National collection week is slated as November 17-24.  If you plan to pack a box this year, please note that the following acceptable items are those suggested by Samaritan’s Purse: 

School Supplies:  Pens, pencils and sharpeners, crayons, markers, stamps and ink pad sets, writing tablets or paper, solar calculators, coloring and picture books, etc. ***

Non-liquid Hygiene Items:  Toothbrushes, washcloths, nail clipper and file, and combs/brushes. ***

 “WOW” Item:  Outfit, shoes, musical instrument (kazoos, harmonicas, Recorder), soccer ball w/pump, stuffed animal, doll.

Toys:  Small toy cars, balls, yo-yos, jump ropes, small Etch-A-Sketch, Slinky, toys that light up/make noise w/extra batteries), etc.

Clothing and Accessories:  Winter hat/scarf/mittens, T-shirts and other clothing, socks, undergarments, ball caps/hats/visors, UVA/UVB sunglasses—not toy sunglasses, hair clips, toy jewelry, watches, flashlights (with plenty of extra batteries).

A Personal Note:  A message to the child, a photo of yourself/family/group.

FYI—Age categories are as follows:  2-4 yrs. old; 5-9 yrs. old; and 10-14 yrs. old.

***IMPORTANT NOTE:  With 12 years of experience working with Operation Christmas Child, I’ve learned that the items needed first and foremost—before anything else—are school supplies (pencils, erasers, sharpeners, writing paper, scissors, etc.) and hygiene items (pkgs. of 2-5 toothbrushes, 2-3 washcloths, and hairbrushes/combs).  Items of clothing are also great, followed by all of the fun stuff! 

DO NOT INCLUDE:  Used or damaged items; war-related items such as toy guns, knives or military figures; wearable “traditional” camouflage; liquids or lotions including liquid-filled balls; medications or vitamins; breakable items such as snow globes or glass containers; matches, fire starters or aerosol cans; seeds or organic matter; money, etc.  **Also, due to increasing customs’ regulations, fruit rolls or other fruit snacks, chocolate/food/candy/gum, drink mixes (powdered or liquid), and, soap and toothpaste are NOT acceptable.

Please be aware that shipping costs are $10 per box.  Please make checks payable to Samaritan’s Purse w/OCC designated in the memo line.  Your check should then be placed in one of their brochure envelopes and put on top of the box’s contents.  Only one check needs to be made out regardless of the number of boxes prepared (Example:  $10 x 3 boxes = one $30 check placed in one of the three boxes).  If you would rather pay online (www.samaritanspurse.org/occ), you can track your box—not to the child, but rather—to the “country/area” where the box is distributed.  Also available are adhesive labels that already have a tracking code on them.

FYI:  If you are unable to shop for box contents, you can “Build a Shoebox Online” for a suggested donation of $25 (www.samaritanspurse.org/buildonline),

–OR–

You can make a donation to supply evangelistic storybooks [provided in 75 local languages] or by helping to enroll shoebox recipients in The Greatest Journey, a 12-lesson discipleship program.  This program costs just $6 per child, which includes teacher training, Bible lesson books, and a New Testament for each graduate. 

Although National Collection Week is November 17-24, all completed boxes must be placed under the long table in the narthex by SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 16, allowing time for delivery to the drop-off site. 

 Any questions, please contact Karen Thompson at 412-751-2797.

QUICK INSPIRATION

From time to time, we all need a quick inspiration.  If you are in need of inspiration but feel that you do not have time to listen to a full sermon, we encourage you to click on our link to sermons.  https://www.youtube.com/@CirclevilleChurch  This will take you to our You Tube channel where you can watch the Pastor Jun’s full sermon.  Or if you would like to hear a prayer or a beautiful rendition of a hymn sung by Pastor Jun, scroll to the last 2 minutes in the sermon.  Pastor Jun usually wraps up the sermon with a prayer or a song.  These can provide a comfort any time you need to hear comforting words.  If you have a specific prayer request, please call our church office at 724-864-1581 or email the office at circlevillechurchgmc@outlook.com.  We can have someone call you or add you to our prayer requests.