Operation Christmas Child needs your help
It is that time of year again! Operation Christmas Child time! Time to pack simple shoeboxes—filled with school supplies, hygiene items, fun toys and notes of encouragement. These gifts will be delivered to children in need around the world to demonstrate God’s love in a tangible way.
Over the years Operation Christmas Child has had great support from the community, SunTrust Bank, the Bishop England National Honor Society, Scout groups, Daniel Island School Junior Beta Club, and many others.
Daniel Island business owner Oanh Dang of Honeycomb Café is offering her support to the effort by hosting the packing party at the restaurant this year. This will be the fourth year for an island-wide community packing party, and each year, the effort has grown. Last year saw 526 shoeboxes packed, so the goal this year is 600.
How can you get involved?
There are a number of ways you can be a part of the effort. Donate shoebox filler items (see sidebar for a list of ideas). Donate funding to help us pay for the $7 per box shipping fee.
If you know of businesses or individuals who would donate either items or shipping cost, please ask them to participate.
Offer to help Oanh and other volunteers the days of the two-part packing party – Sunday, November 13 at 3 p.m., and Wednesday, November 16 at 6 p.m. Bring your friends and family to the packing party and let’s hit our 600 shoebox goal.
If you would like to help in any way, please contact Oanhhd@gmail.com.
For more information about Operation Christmas Child, go to www.samaritanspurse.org/occ.
By The Numbers
Since 1993, Operation Christmas Child, the world’s largest Christmas project of its kind, has collected and delivered more than 135 million gift-filled shoeboxes to children in more than 150 countries and territories. For many of these children, the gift-filled shoebox is the first gift they have ever received.
In 2016, Operation Christmas Child hopes to collect enough shoebox gifts to reach another 12 million children. 2015 collection totals: more than 11.2 million (global) / more than 8.7 million (U.S.)/more than 45,000 (Charleston Area).
Shoebox gifts are collected in the U.S., Australia, Finland, Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Japan, New Zealand, Canada, Spain and the U.K.
More than 500,000 volunteers worldwide—with more than 150,000 of those in the United States—are involved in collecting, shipping and distributing shoebox gifts.