All You Need To Know About Operation Christmas Child

Last year 7,959 shoe boxes were collected at the Life 97.3 studios and were sent to hurting children all over the world.

This year, our hope is that 9,000 or more shoe boxes will be packed onto a semi trailer in Duluth to be sent around the world.

Because of you and many more around the U.S. more than 8 million suffering children in more than 100 countries on six continents will receive personal, gift-filled shoe boxes through Operation Christmas Child this year.

For many of these children, the shoe box gift will be the first gift they have ever received.

You can help out by filling a box this year, here's how!

1. Find an empty shoebox
Decide whether your gift will be for a boy or a girl and what age category (2-4, 5-9, 10-14).

CLICK HERE for a boy/girl label printout

2. Fill the box with a variety of gifts
(there is a list of suggested gifts below).
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).

3. Please also enclose a check for $7
or more to help cover shipping and other costs. Please make checks payable to Samaritan’s Purse (if packing more then one shoebox, you can combine the donation into one envelope). Place a rubber band around your shoe box and lid.

[bold]4. Drop off your shoebox before OR during collection week at:[/bold]

Life 97.3 KDNW
1101 East Central Entrance, Duluth

Monday, November 16th through Monday, November 23rd : 9AM - 6PM.

(call for more info 722-6700)

HERE ARE SOME SUGGESTED GIFTS for filling shoeboxes . . .

•Toys: small cars, balls, dolls, stuffed animals, kazoos, harmonicas, yo-yos, jump ropes, small Etch A Sketch, Slinky, etc…

•School Supplies: pens, pencils and sharpener, crayons or markers, stamps and ink pad sets, coloring books, writing pads, paper, solar calculators, etc…

•Hygiene items: toothbrush, toothpaste, mild bar soap (in a plastic bag), comb, washcloth, etc…

•Other: hard candy, mints, gum, sunglasses, flashlights (with extra batteries), ball caps, socks, T-shirts, toy jewelry, hair clips, small picture books, etc…

DO NOT INCLUDE:
•Used items
•War-related items: toy guns, knives, etc…
•Chocolate or perishable food items
•Liquids: shampoo, liquid soap, lotion, bubbles, etc…
•Medicines: vitamins, cough drops, ointment, etc…
•Breakable items: mirrors, china dolls, snow globes, etc…

CLICK HERE for more instructions on packing a shoe box

YOU CAN FOLLOW YOUR BOX with EZ GIVE
Make your shoe box donation online instead of inside the box and follow your box!

EZ Give is a simple, convenient way to make your shoe box donation online by using a credit or debit card, eliminating the need to place a check inside the box.

Here's how it works . . .
After completing your donation, you will be able to print out special EZ Give shoe box labels included in your e-mail receipt that indicate you have made your donation online rather than placing it inside your shoe box gift.

THEN FOLLOW YOUR BOX!
You can discover the destination of your shoe box gift(s) by using EZ Give
Make your donation online by using a credit or debit card and then print out the EZ give label included in your e-mail receipt. The barcode on the label will enable us to track each shoe box gift. When shoe boxes begin shipping overseas, you will receive an e-mail telling you the destination of your gift, along with information about Operation Christmas Child in that country.