We had a great turn out for our Shoebox Chili Cook Off on Sunday!  Over $250 was raised in support of our Operation Christmas Child project.  Those funds will now go towards supplies and shipping for boxes packed by our Children’s Ministry classes.  Thanks to all who brought chili, made cornbread, helped set up or clean up…we couldn’t have done it without you!

Awesome panoramic shot taken by Rob Pendley of the event.

This was a wonderful kick off to jump start our church’s Operation Christmas Child efforts!  Last year we collected 173 boxes and the majority of those boxes were sent to Madagascar.  (Hopefully you were able to see the video about Madagascar on Sunday…if not, check it out below.)  Our goal for our church is 200 boxes this year.  We can do it!  If every person or couple or family packed just one shoebox we would far exceed this goal.  So, let’s get packing CCC!

Here is how to pack a shoebox gift:

Use an empty shoe box (standard size, please), a small plastic container or just grab a box from church. You can wrap the box (lid separately), but wrapping is not required. Most importantly, pray for the child who will receive your gift.

Determine whether your gift will be for a boy or a girl, and the child’s age category: 2-4, 5-9, or 10-14. Print out the appropriate boy/girl label by downloading the artwork from the OCC website. Mark the correct age category on the label, and tape the label to the top of your box.

Fill the box with a variety of gifts that will bring delight to a child.  Use the gift ideas provided on the bottom of this page.

Please donate $7 or more for each shoe box you prepare to help cover shipping and other project costs. You can give online by using our “Follow Your Box Donation” option, or you can write a check to Samaritan’s Purse (note “OCC” on memo line) and place it in an envelope on top of the gift items inside your box. If you or your family are preparing more than one shoe box, please make one combined donation.

Place a rubber band around each closed shoe box and drop it off at church.  National Collection Week is November 11-18, but you are welcome to begin bringing in your completed boxes as soon as this Sunday.  You can put them on the wooden stand in the Foyer.

And if you still need more motivation to pack a box…please visit the OCC Stories page to read story after story of how God uses these simple gifts to change hearts and lives and communities around the world.  It is truly amazing to see how God uses something we would consider insignificant to spread his Kingdom and glory all through the Earth.

If you have any questions, please contact kids@christcommunitychurch.com.