What is Operation Christmas Child?
This Samaritan’s Purse project collects shoebox gifts‑filled with fun toys, school supplies and hygiene items—and delivers them to children in need around the world to demonstrate God’s love in a tangible way. For many of these children, the gift—filled shoebox is the first gift they have ever received.
Since 1993, Operation Christmas Child, the world’s largest Christmas project of its kind, has collected and delivered more than 198 million shoebox gifts to children in more than 170 countries and territories. This year, the project expects to collect its 200 millionth gift-filled shoebox!
Anyone can pack a shoebox. Individuals, families, churches, and groups fill empty shoeboxes with school supplies, hygiene items and fun toys such as dolls or soccer balls. Do not include candy; toothpaste; used or damaged items; war‑related items such as toy guns, knives or military figures; seeds; chocolate or food; liquids or lotions; medications or vitamins; breakable items, such as snow globes or glass containers; or aerosol cans. Learn how to pack a shoebox, view gift suggestions, and get your Follow Your Box label at samaritanspurse.org/occ.
During National Collection Week (Nov. 13–20, 2023), Samaritan’s Purse will collect the gift‑filled shoeboxes at nearly 5,000 drop‑off locations in all 50 states and Puerto Rico. Faith Fellowship Church is a drop-off location.
OPERATION CHRISTMAS CHILD VOLUNTEER RELATIONS:
Collection Network How-to Training Videos Creating an impactful donor experience is key to the success of any drop-off. In this course, you will learn the four key components to ensuring a positive donor experience:
- A personal greeting
- An invitation to learn more
- An offered prayer
- A warm thank you
Remember, each donor and each shoebox gift is a Gospel Opportunity.
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Packing shoeboxes into cartons is one of the most important tasks completed at a drop-off. In this course, you will learn the key steps to correctly pack a carton. Remember, if we pack the shoeboxes well into cartons, we have the potential to save a significant amount in shipping expense for Samaritan’s Purse, which means more children can hear the Good News and Great Joy of the Gospel!
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Learn how to properly pack a trailer that has been provided by a freight company that partners with Operation Christmas Child. It is essential to safely pack your trailer, while maximizing space and accurately calculating shoebox counts. When your trailer is successfully packed, your shoeboxes are one step closer to the children who will receive them!
Learn how to HOST, GREET A DONOR, PACK A CARTON, and UNLOAD.
Register to Volunteer at FFC (Save form, open in Adobe Reader, Complete form, and email it to Mike Schuck).