Hear first-hand from other project leaders!
Project Leader Checklist:
Step 1: Form a Plan Prayerfully set a shoebox goal.
- Setting a goal is important because it motivates participants and helps you adapt activities as you chart the progress toward the goal.
- To reach your goal, will you invite individuals and families to pack their own shoebox gifts?
- Or, will you organize and host a packing party for your group? If yes, download our editable packing party signs.
- Don't forget to order shoeboxes and other resources, including posters and brochures.
Bonus idea: Download and print the Project Leader Timeline.
How will you collect the $10 per shoebox shipping donation?
- By individual shoebox packers attaching the donations to their gifts
- By creating your own fundraising webpage?
Cast vision and discuss plan with church or group leadership.
- Download our Taking OCC Churchwide resource.
Bonus idea: Make packing easier—collect items year-round! Get ideas for how to launch the project for your church or group.
Step 2: Get the Word OutImplement the promotional plan.
- Use a selection of Operation Christmas Child brochures, promotional inserts, web banners, videos, photos, etc., from the Resources and Ideas Hub.
- Share stories, photos, and videos from Operation Christmas Child’s webpages.
Review the steps of packing a shoebox.
- Be able to demonstrate how to pack a shoebox. Know what can and can’t be packed.
- Emphasize the importance of including a “wow” item and $10 shipping donation in each shoebox.
Bonus idea: Host a promotional activity, such as a Project Launch Event or World Café.
Step 3: Collect and Celebrate Collect and Celebrate What God has Done!
- Join hundreds of churches across Canada and host a Celebration Event. Set a date as your deadline to collect shoeboxes at your location, then celebrate, and dedicate your shoebox gifts to the Lord!
- Collect shoeboxes in a high traffic area so people will notice as more gifts are collected.
- Share your photos with @OCC_Canada, using the hashtag #ilovepackingshoeboxes.
- Plan wisely so you have plenty of time to bring your gift-filled shoeboxes to the drop-off location nearest to you, during National Collection Week, November 16-22, 2020.
Bonus idea: Serve year-round and coordinate a shoebox drop-off location during National Collection Week.
Don't forget!
Donation increase to $10 per shoebox gift
A $10 donation per shoebox gift is critical to cover shipping and other ministry expenses.
Finishing our efforts to send Canadian shoeboxes to Ukraine
For five years we have had the special opportunity to send Operation Christmas Child shoebox gifts from Canada to children in Ukraine. It has been a blessing for Operation Christmas Child Canada to be a part of this work in Ukraine, but now, in 2019, it is time for us to complete our work in the country. Ukraine will continue to receive shoebox gifts from the United States, as it has for years, but shoeboxes collected in Canada in 2019 will not be sent to Ukraine. This will allow us, as Operation Christmas Child Canada, to continue to focus our efforts, and shoeboxes, in the regions entrusted to us—West Coast Africa and Central America.
New Translated Resources available!
Download the How to Pack a Shoebox brochure in Chinese, Korean or Spanish and help equip your church to pack shoeboxes.
Discover the destination of your online shoebox gift!
When you pack your online shoebox(es) with us, select the "Follow my shoebox" checkbox. We will email you when we know which country your shoebox(es) will be sent to. The email will share about the impact that shoebox gifts are having on children, their country, and the spreading of the Gospel message. Destination countries are chosen and announced in late December. Learn more at packabox.ca
New Children’s Resources available!
Operation Christmas Child is a great mission project for kids! Whether you are focusing on packing shoeboxes as a family or as a group during Sunday school, children’s church, or VBS, these Children’s Resources will help your boys and girls learn more about the importance of giving in Jesus’ Name.
Did you drop off shoeboxes with Greyhound in past years?
If yes, please read this important update.
Find out where you can drop off your gift filled shoeboxes in November
Helpful Links
Resources & Ideas Hub
Children's Resources
Create a Fundraising Page
How to Pack a Shoebox
Read the Latest Operation Christmas Child Stories
Frequently Asked Questions
Have questions or suggestions? Email occ@samaritan.ca
