{"id":5899,"date":"2016-05-31T10:00:59","date_gmt":"2016-05-31T14:00:59","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/womensministrytoolbox.com\/?p=5899"},"modified":"2017-11-27T10:58:13","modified_gmt":"2017-11-27T15:58:13","slug":"host-operation-christmas-child-packing-party","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/womensministrytoolbox.com\/host-operation-christmas-child-packing-party\/","title":{"rendered":"How to Host an Operation Christmas Child Packing Party"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"How<\/a><\/p>\n

Are you looking for a fun mission project for your women for the\u00a0fall?<\/p>\n

An Operation Christmas Child Packing Party<\/strong> provides an opportunity for your women to work together to bless children around the world!<\/p>\n

Operation Christmas Child<\/a> is a ministry of Samaritan\u2019s Purse<\/a>. The mission of Operation Christmas Child is to demonstrate God\u2019s love in a tangible way to needy children around the world, and together with the local church worldwide, to share the Good News of Jesus Christ.<\/p>\n

In 2015 over 11 million boxes were packed and distributed to children around the world! For many of these children this is the one and only gift they may ever receive.<\/p>\n

Many women\u2019s ministry groups gather in late October or early November to pack and pray over the boxes their church is sending out. Some churches make this a church-wide project, other churches throw packing parties for the children. I know of several women\u2019s Sunday school\/Bible study groups that plan an evening fellowship to gather materials and pack boxes.<\/p>\n

Last year I had the opportunity\u00a0to share about my Operation Christmas Child distribution trip to Grenada<\/a> at the Operation Christmas Child Packing Party our Children\u2019s Ministry hosted.<\/p>\n

I\u2019ve compiled a how-to list for you based on our Packing Party, my distribution trip, and some tips gleaned from the\u00a0Shoebox Shoppers Facebook Group<\/a>.<\/p>\n

\"Packing<\/a><\/p>\n

How to Host an Operation Christmas Child Packing Party:<\/strong><\/p>\n

1.\u00a0<\/strong>Order your Operation Christmas Child shoeboxes<\/strong> <\/a>and\/or begin collecting boxes for your event. Many stores such as TJ Maxx, Ross, and Marshalls are foten willing to give you shoeboxes for free. Refrain from using boot boxes or other large boxes as children at the distributions notice when someone receives more than they do. It would be better to pack two boxes for two children than one big box for one.<\/p>\n

2. Make a list of items you want to collect.<\/strong> Some churches collect year-round focusing on a specific group of items every month, others just collect the month before the packing party. Here\u2019s a link to the year-round packing list<\/a>. Here is the link to the list of items you can and cannot include<\/a>.\u00a0I shared my favorite packing tips in this post<\/a>.<\/p>\n

3. Set up multiple drop-off locations<\/strong> for these items throughout your church. Empty them regularly. Some folks will contribute if they see a need, but won\u2019t if they don\u2019t!<\/p>\n

4. Plan a time prior to your party to sort through the donations and separate them<\/strong> into bins\/boxes. See categories listed below for one way to sort them.<\/p>\n

5. Set up the room for your Packing Party.<\/strong> Place the donation categories on separate tables\/areas, if possible.<\/p>\n