Hello, I'm Tiger Lilly, and today I am going to
talk about Operation Christmas Child.
Operation Christmas Child is a program where you can fill a shoebox with gifts for a boy or girl somewhere who is having a hard time, sometimes because of wars or because they are starving. Samaritan's Purse, which runs Operation Christmas Child, collects the shoeboxes and delivers them wherever they're needed. It is a trustworthy
organization led by Franklin Graham (he's Billy Graham's son). Anyone at practically any age can fill a box (or boxes!) and I'm going to tell you what it's
about and what you do.
First, get a shoebox! Then, decide whether it will be for a boy or a girl, and what age (1-4, 5-9, 10-14). Personally I've always done boxes for ages 5-9 because it's easy for me to decide what they might like. Things like toy cars, hairbrushes and beauty things for girls, suckers and candy (nothing that will melt!), dolls and other toys. I always include a little stuffed animal that they can hold onto. I also giftwrap the box and lid separately and include $5 to help pay for shipping and then close it with a rubberband. My church collects all of our boxes and sends them to Operation Christmas Child. If your church doesn't collect boxes you can contact the organization at www.samaritanspurse.org. There's also more information here. National Collection Week starts this week, but there's still time to participate. The Web site will tell you how.
I've been doing shoeboxes for at
least 4 years. Everyone in my family does at least one box each year. I like doing it because I like to pick out all the things that go in them and to figure out what all the kids would like. Something I do is picture myself in
the same situation and what I would like to receive. That's a really good way
to figure out what to give them. I do this every year because I love to do stuff
in charity organizations. In fact, when the person who does it in our church was
going to step down this year I wanted to volunteer to organize it, but my mom said that since I'm only
eleven, I wouldn't be able to handle it. : (
I think there is a long-term effect for people who receive these boxes because from then on they know that someone out there was kind enough to spend
money and take time out of their daily lives just to put together a box for
them. They'll know that when they receive their box, and you can
guarantee it by putting your picture and a letter from you inside the box. Then they'll not only
know that someone cares, but also what you look like!
By putting together a box you are brightening
someone's life, and that is a precious thing.
Ciao for
now,
Tiger
Lilly
