operation christmas
child

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

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

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

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.