operation christmas
child

Good news. Great joy.

A Simple Gift...

As a collection site for Operation Christmas Child, we have seen how God's love can transform lives.

And it all begins with a simple shoebox filled with gifts for a child.

Fill your shoebox with school supplies, hygiene items, toys, clothing, and other items to bring joy to the life of a child who might have never received a gift. Pray that your shoebox will go where God would have it go, and bring it to First Baptist Church of La Plata during one of our collection times.

We Stock All Year Long!

Operation Christmas Child is a year-round ministry! We appreciate you helping to meet the needs for our packing parties and our outreach as a collection location

No Time to Shop?

Samaritan's Purse offers the option to build a shoebox entirely online! 

Join Us in Ministering to Children!

Let us do the shopping for you! Can you help us by pre-ordering items for shoeboxes? Or contribute to the ministry directly with a financial gift
Collection Times for 2025
Day Date Start Time End Time
Monday November 17 5:00 PM 8:00 PM
Tuesday November 18 3:00 PM 6:00 PM
Wednesday November 19 9:00 AM 11:30 AM
5:00 PM 7:00 PM
Thursday November 20 5:00 PM 8:00 PM
Friday November 21 3:00 PM 7:00 PM
Saturday November 22 10:00 AM 2:00 PM*
Sunday November 23 12:30 PM 4:00 PM
Monday November 24 9:00 AM 1:00 PM

Packing Party and Shoebox Dedication on Saturday, 11/22 from 3:00-4:30 PM

How to Pack a Shoebox

1️⃣ Find a Shoebox
Start with an average-size cardboard or plastic shoebox. If you want to wrap it, cover the box and lid separately. You can use your own shoeboxes or order our colorful preprinted ones, available in both cardboard and plastic. These sturdy options hold up well and can be lasting gifts in themselves for children to store cherished items.

2️⃣ Get Your Label
Whichever you choose, use the label to indicate on your shoebox whether it was packed for a boy or girl and which age category: 2–4, 5–9, or 10–‍14.

3️⃣Fill with Gifts
Select a medium to large "wow" item such as a soccer ball with pump or stuffed animal, then fill with other fun toys, school supplies, and personal care items. Don't forget to also include a personal note and photo—sometimes these are the child's favorite things to receive!
4️⃣ Pray
Most importantly, "pray without ceasing" (1 Thess. 5:17) for the child who will receive your shoebox gift.
Please also pray for:
  • Their family to also be receptive to the Good News of Jesus Christ.
  • The pastor of the church who delivers your shoebox gift.
  • Their community to be transformed by the Gospel.

5️⃣ Donate $10 Per Shoebox
A donation of $10 per box is critical to cover evangelism materials, shipping, and other project costs. For easiest processing, you can give online through our Label Options or Ways to Give pages, or by mailing a check in the postage-paid envelope available in our printed brochure. If you use an online option on the Labels page, you can Follow Your Box and discover the destination of your gift.

6️⃣ Drop Off
Take your shoebox gift to a local drop-off location during National Collection Week, Nov. 17–24, 2025.

Gift Suggestions

If you have any questions, please use the form below to contact us!
For more information about Operation Christmas Child, please visit Samaritan's Purse at:
https://www.samaritanspurse.org/what-we-do/operation-christmas-child/

See What a Shoebox Can Do

There are many stories just like this one! See the impact your gift can have at this link

Submit a question about OCC