We are now 5 days into the challenge and I already feel a change in my heart. Giving is becoming second nature, and opportunities to help others seem to fall in my lap.
This is ultimately what I was hoping would occur, I just did not expect it to so soon!
The generosity movement continues to spread with over 500 participants on Facebook and 67 bloggers have RSVPd. It is truly heart-warming to see the enthusiasm and participation!
Today I would like to highlight a charity that I am sure most of us know and love: Operation Christmas Child through Samaritan’s Purse.
If you are a couponer, you likely have a nice little stockpile of items just perfect for packing in a shoe box. A shoe box that will touch a child this Christmas. National collection week is approaching quickly, so now is a great time to get the whole family involved in this special project. You can find your nearest drop off location here.
Check out Real Life Sarah’s blog, where she is hosting a virtual packing party on her Mom TV Show today. Sarah is using the power of social media to spread the word about this awesome program!
Is your family packing a shoe box this year? What items are you including?
I always say I’m going to do something like this and always miss it – my intentions are good; my follow through is awful. I’m going to go grab a shoebox now and see what good stuff I already have. Then purchase some stuff and have my box all ready to go. Thanks for posting about this.
We do the OCC shoeboxes every year. And you are right–if you are a couponer/stockpiler, it is easy to save things throughout the year. When I went up to the closet last week, I was surprised to find 3 plastic bags fill of items–one of toys, one of school supplies, and one of toiletry items–just waiting to be sorted into shoeboxes! And it was easy to save throughout the year, rather than have the expense all at once.
We have 4 kids, so we will be sending 4 boxes through OCC this year (and the rest will be donated locally through a local shoebox program). And a bonus– if you pay the $7 shipping fee on their website, you can print a label that will allow you to track your boxes and see where in the world they are delivered! My girls are very excited about this option! Find out more here:
https://www.samaritanspurse.org/index.php/OCC/EZ_Give_Donations/
.-= Jessica-MomForHim´s last blog ..Weekly Groceries–over $190 worth for under $73 =-.
This our first year to do one. My 4 year old and my 2 year old are so excited. We’ve started filling two boxes and even got my 14 year old nephew to do one for a boy his age. My boys even drew some silly drawings to put in the box. We are also putting a pic of us so they can put a face with the person who packed their box.
I love Operation Christmas Child! Such a great cause and my kids are so excited to be able to participate!
.-= Stephanie´s last blog ..Operation Christmas Child | Save Money Packing Shoe Boxes =-.
I haven’t done a shoebox in years. It is such a great program!
.-= Sherry´s last blog ..Thank a veteran! =-.
Day 5. http://lonestarlifer.wordpress.com/2009/11/05/the-30-day-giving-challenge-day-5/
.-= Paula @ Lone Star Lifer´s last blog ..The 30-Day Giving Challenge. Day 5. =-.
We are participating. Our church does it as a church family. We are hoping to do 100 boxes.
30-Day Giving Challenge. Day 6. Early Christmas.
http://lonestarlifer.wordpress.com/2009/11/06/the-30-day-giving-challenge-day-6-early-christmas/
We did Operation Christmas Child for the first time this year through our church. I’m not a couponer (yet), so I spent $89 at Walmart for what I thought I would cram into one box for ne child. No way it fit…so I ended up sending 3 boxes!
Each box had several toothbrushes (with brush covers), toothpaste, soap (in a soap box), several combs, a wash cloth, 3 pairs of socks, sunglasses, 1 tshirt, 1 notebook, 1 coloring book, 1 24ct crayons, pencils & pens in pencil case, a calculator, ball, 3 matchbox cars, a yoyo, & candy. And we included a note to each child with our picture & address.
Next year I plan on sending everything inside of plastic containers instead of the provided shoeboxes (the container is like an extra gift!), & a pre-stamped envelope in case the child wants to write back. We’re really excited that we got to participate this year & definitely want to do it next year too!
Wow, Jenn, those boxes will be a huge blessing to those 3 children! Great idea to include photos and your address. Maybe next year you will have a nice stockpile of items you got for free or nearly free- with coupons! 🙂