The very first International outreach activity I was involved with was Operation Christmas Child.
The idea behind Operation Christmas Child is simple.
You fill a shoe box with small toys, hygiene items, a school supply or two, and treats. You add a letter, drop it off at an OCC drop-off location, and you are DONE!
In the last 12 years, it has become a Dietrich family tradition!
This year, we packed boxed as a community at our church. It was a fun night!
Here is Miss Brenna organizing the items she chose for a 5-9 year old boy.
Sweet Gubbers!
He had fun picking out items this year!
(Last year he had a hard time thinking about sending cool things to another "little good boy.")
He carefully chose items at the store, and became VERY upset if his siblings touched them.
Here we are writing letters to place inside each box.
Operation Christmas Child made letter writing colorful, easy, and fun with these cool letter forms.
(I bet the form letter also makes translation easier.)
Boxes are wrapped "soap opera style" with the lids and base wrapped separately. The girls did such a good job wrapping!
Here are the boxes Sierra and Sydney put together.
Oh, how I wish we could be there when they are delivered and opened. Just thinking about the excited children receiving our gifts makes me sniffle.
Wonder if this simple idea can change a life?
This video tells a really incredible testimony of what the seed of love planted in an OCC gift can grow into!
Need a tissue?If you would like to pack a box for Operation Christmas Child, it is not too late! Check online and find an OCC drop off near you. They are collecting boxes all week (Nov. 14 - 21)!
