OPERATION CHRISTMAS CHILD • OCC l Year Round
What if you could help bring the message of Christ and joy to hearts of children all over the world simply by donating items such as toothpaste, washcloths and soap? What if those left over McDonald’s toys could be the avenue that opens the heart of a child and was used to lead them to Christ?
Well, they can do just that – and they have been for the past 20 years packed in shoe boxes collected as a part of Operation Christmas Child (OCC)! Churches, schools and individuals around the world have been collecting small toys, school supplies, hygiene items and other goodies, packing them in to shoe boxes (and plastic tubs) and donating them to Samaritan’s Purse program called “Operation Christmas Child” (OCC). OCC has shipped out over 61 million shoeboxes these past twenty years and have hand delivered them to children ages 2-14 in over 135 countries worldwide! These children who receive these boxes may never again have an opportunity to hear the gospel and these boxes are a practical way of sharing His love!
We, The Rock Community Church, have been participating in this amazing ministry for the past 3 years and have collectively sent out 1,000 shoes boxes! Our boxes have been shipped to countries like: The Philippines, Korea, Panama.
This year our goal is to send out over 1200 boxes! Last year alone we sent out 616 boxes and we have no doubt that we can beat our goal this year – BUT we can’t do it without your help!
There are several ways you can help us reach this goal and impact the lives of these children around the world.
- Donate items to help fill the boxes! Every month this year we will be highlighting a different item to bring to church and donate. These items will be as simple as toothpaste and washcloths. You can see our schedule below for each month this year and our current inventory of these items below.
- Donate your coupons. Every Sunday paper comes with coupon inserts and these usually include coupons for items we are collecting! There are women in the church who will use these coupons to get items free or nearly free when paired with a sale. You can drop your coupons off in the donation box found at the Children’s Check-In desk at Weekend Services.
- Fill a shoe box following the instructions HERE The list of suggested items to fill your box with can be found below. Once your box is filled simply bring it to church with you and put it into the large white bins found through the church. If you’d like you can watch this short video on how to pack a shoe box. CLICK HERE TO VIEW THE VIDEO.
- Donate money to help cover the cost to ship these boxes worldwide! On average it costs $7 per box for these to be shipped – your donation of any amount is welcomed to help offset these costs! To donate money please make you check out to “TRCC” and put “OCC” in the memo line (all donations are tax deductable). Checks can be given directly to the Children’s Ministry or placed in the offering during Weekend Services.
- Become a fan of OCC at The Rock Community Church on Facebook and stay up to date with our current efforts to collect items as well as alerts when there are great deals on items at our local stores! Click below to visit our fan page.
- PRAY! Pray that each child that receives these boxes will be impacted for Christ and will dedicate their lives to Him!
These simple ways to donate & support this ministry will go a long way in helping us reach our goal of over 1000 boxes this year and it is our hope and prayer that you will join us!
Items to focus on donating each month:
January: Washcloths
February: Scarves/Beanie Hats/Gloves
March: Bars of Soap (any packaging is ok)
April: Toothpaste
May: Hairbrush/Combs
June: Small Toys (dolls, cars, balls, fake jewelry)
July: Crayons & Small (5x7) coloring books
August: School Supplies (pens, pencils, pencil sharpeners)
September: More School Supplies: small calculators, erasers
October: Soft stuff toys (animals, baby dolls, etc)
November: $7 donation to help cover the cost of shipping. Donations can be made by dropping a check in the offering at Weekend Services. (Please make sure you check is marked for OCC in the memo line)
December: $7 donation to help cover the cost of shipping. Donations can be made by dropping a check in the offering at Weekend Services. (Please make sure you check is marked for OCC in the memo line)
DO NOT INCLUDE:
Used or damaged items; war-related items such as toy guns, knives or military figures; chocolate or food; out-of-date candy; liquids or lotions; medications or vitamins; breakable items such as snow globes or glass containers; aerosol cans.
Additional suggested items you can donate:
TOYS
small cars, balls, dollies, stuffed animals, kazoos, harmonicas, yo-yos, jump ropes, small Etch A Sketch®, toys that light up or make noise (with extra batteries), Slinky®, etc.
SCHOOL SUPPLIES
pens, pencils and sharpener, crayons or markers, stamps and ink pad sets, writing pads or paper, solar calculators, coloring books, etc.
HYGIENE ITEMS
toothbrush, toothpaste, mild bar soap (in a plastic bag), comb, washcloth, etc.
OTHER
Hard candy and lollipops (please double bag all candy), Mints, gum,
T-shirts, socks, ball caps; sunglasses, hair clips, toy jewelry, watches, flashlights (with extra batteries)
A PERSONAL NOTE
In a separate envelope, you may enclose a note to the child and a photo of yourself or your family. (If you include your name and address, the child may write back.)
DO NOT INCLUDE:
Used or damaged items; war-related items such as toy guns, knives or military figures; chocolate or food; out-of-date candy; liquids or lotions; medications or vitamins; breakable items such as snowglobes or glass containers; aerosol cans
FAQ’s about OCC at The Rock Community Church:
Can I bring any of these items in the months they are not being collected?
YES! Our monthly plan was created to simply help promote and encourage everyone to donate. You can bring any and all of the items you wish to donate at anytime of the year!
When is the last day to bring my items to fill the shoe boxes?
November 22, 2010
When is the last day I can bring my filled/completed shoeboxes?
November 28, 2010 when we fill all the rest of the boxes.
For any additional questions, please contact our Children’s Ministries department at 714.779.8546
Steps to Filling a Box at The Rock Community Church:
- Pick up a gift wrapped ready Shoe Box from Children’s Ministries
- Choose from the envelope inside the box, age/gender and tape label on top of box.
- Make out check for $7.00 to Samaritan Purse for Shipping/Handling and put inside the box.
- Fill with the following:
- Wash Cloth
- Toothpaste
- Toothbrush
- Comb/Brush
- Bar of Soap
- Small Toy
- School Supplies
- etc. etc. (see list of items)
- Write a personal note if you wish
- Do not seal the box
- Return filled box to Children’s Ministries
