We try to encourage generosity and caring for others with our son throughout the year but especially in the holiday season. Last year we picked up a stocking from his preschool and filled it for the Salvation Army to deliver to a child locally. This year, Trent & Dylan picked up a shoebox at Chick-fil-a to fill for Samaritan’s Purse Operation Christmas Child.
I admit, I had heard of the shoebox gifting before, but didn’t really know the details. I was excited they started us on this adventure to learn more and fill our own box.
The world’s largest Christmas project of its kind, Operation Christmas Child, uses gift-filled shoeboxes to share God’s love in a tangible way with needy children around the world.
As Dylan has his own money in his wallet, I wanted to encourage him to contribute to the project. He decided to fill the box for a boy in the 5-9 age group. Before shopping, we read through the list of gift suggestions online and he wrote down the items he wanted to purchase. This included a toothbrush, toothpaste, bar soap, toy cars, a ball, socks, coloring book and crayons, etc.
Then we went shopping to find the items on his list and, yes, he willingly took out his money to pay! I made a point afterward to let him know how proud I was of him spending his own money to help another child have a merry Christmas.
When we got home, we worked together to fit the gifts into the box like a puzzle. We barely got it all in!
We’re paying the shipping fee for our box online so we can print a barcode and track its journey. Dylan is excited to see how far his box will travel and what country it will end up end. Another educational value there in giving us a geography lesson as well!
Has your family filled a shoebox before? Or do you have another cause you like to donate time or goods to during the holiday season?
This is not a sponsored post. Sharing purely because I think it’s a great way to share the joy of the season and God’s love with others.
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