Packing PartyHost Your Own

CMYK RICH BLACK: C:30 M:20 Y:10 K:100

RED: C:0 M:100 Y:100 K:0

GREEN: C:100 M:0 Y:100 K:0

1 Location: Determine a location, date, the number of guests to invite, and a shoebox collection goal.

2 Resources: Access videos, photos, recipient impact stories, downloadable colouring pages, local Drop Off Points, and other resources at operationchristmaschild.org.au.

3 Gather Supplies: Gifts: Ask guests to bring appropriate items to fill the shoeboxes as well as the $9 donation for each box. Empty boxes: Ask guests to bring empty shoeboxes, ask local shoe stores for empty boxes, or order pre-printed shoeboxes on our website. Photos/Letters: Ask guests to bring photos, or plan to take pictures at the party. Include them, along with a personal note, in each of the shoeboxes.

4 Gather Snacks and Get Creative: Try international foods from countries where shoeboxes are delivered. Show Operation Christmas Child videos as you enjoy your snacks.

5 Prepare Boxes: Set up party stations for wrapping boxes (lid separately), filling boxes with gift items, and writing letters. Pack each box with something from each of the 6 categories shown overleaf.

6 Include Donation: A $9 donation is needed for each shoebox packed to help cover shipping and other costs related to delivering your gift to a child in need. Donations can be made online or by cash, cheque (payable to Samaritan’s Purse Australasia-Operation Christmas Child) or credit card using the form on our ‘How to Pack a Shoebox’ brochure, which you can download from our website.

Planning and Hosting the Party

Why not host an Operation Christmas Child shoebox packing party this year? You can order or download materials from operationchristmaschild.org.au and use this Packing Party Guide to help you get your family, friends and neighbours excited about packing shoeboxes and bringing Good News and Great Joy to kids around the world.

Each shoebox that you pack takes a long journey to get into the hands of a needy child.

A $9 donation per shoebox is essential to enable us to cover the costs of Operation Christmas Child, including shipping your box to a child in need!

Here are some ideas to share this need with the guests at your party:

• Tell them about “Follow Your Box.” Guests can discover the destination of their shoeboxes by making their $9 per box donation online at operationchristmaschild.org.au. You can ask guests to print labels in advance and bring them as “tickets” to the party, or you can set up a computer and printer so they can print the labels at the party.

• Get your church involved. If your church is hosting a Shoebox Packing Day, ask if missions outreach funding might help cover the cost of donations.

• Set up an empty shoebox. Guests can drop off financial donations to cover costs.

Operation Christmas Child® is a project of Samaritan’s Purse®

Franklin Graham, International President Like us on Facebook!

facebook.com/operationchristmaschild.anz

AUSTRALIA Donations and Enquiries: 1300 884 468 Speak to a Local Representative: 1800 684 300 operationchristmaschild.org.au

NEW ZEALAND Donations and Enquiries: 0800 726 274 Speak to a Local Representative: 0800 684 300 operationchristmaschild.org.nz

Samaritan’s Purse Australasia-Operation Christmas Child ABN: 80 162 895 623

PER SHOEBOX ESSENTIAL TO COVER PROJECT COSTS

$9

Go to operationchristmaschild.org.au to watch the Church Shoebox Packing Party video!

Light up the world of a child in needHave each guest include a gift from each of the categories below in their shoebox.

6 things that light up the world of a child in poverty

something to LOVE something to WEAR something for PERSONAL HYGIENE something for SCHOOL something SPECIAL something to PLAY with