Operation Christmas Child Thank you for your interest in assisting First Baptist Church with OCC! It is our desire to provide shoeboxes to as many children as possible, but more importantly, to share the love of Christ with them. Hopefully this packet will guide you throughout the year to simplify your shoebox journey. In addition to the information contained in this packet, there are many ideas concerning packing your shoebox on other websites as well as Pinterest. 1. Find a shoebox FBC has shoeboxes. They will be stacked in the hallways for you to pick up as many as you can fill & return. 2. Girl or Boy? Decide whether you will pack a box for a girl or a boy, and the age category: 2-4, 5-9, or 10-14. 3. Fill with gifts Select a quality “wow” toy such as a doll, soccer ball with pump, or stuffed animal. Then add other fun toys, hygiene items, and school supplies. 4. Pray Most importantly, pray for the child who will receive your gift. You can also include a personal note and photo. OPTIONAL* Follow Your Box Labels Donate $9 online and receive a tracking label to Follow Your Box and discover the destination of your shoebox gift. If you wish to “Follow Your Box”, proceed to www.samaritanspurse.org/operationchristmaschild. There you can choose to donate online and receive a special shipping label in order to see where your box goes. Do Not Include Used or damaged items; war-related items such as toy guns, knives, or military figures; chocolate or food; out-of-date candy; fruit rolls or other fruit snacks; drink mixes (powdered or liquid); liquids or lotions; medications or vitamins; breakable items such as snow globes or glass containers; aerosol cans. Beginning in 2017, no type of candy can be included in shoebox gifts. Beginning in 2017, toothpaste cannot be included in shoebox gifts, but a child’s oral hygiene can still be improved by regular use of a toothbrush alone. Gift Suggestions Girls Age 2-4 A WOW Item Doll, soccer ball (Make sure to include a manual air pump so that the ball can be re-inflated.), stuffed animal, an outfit of to wear, small musical instrument (such as a harmonica or woodwind recorder) Personal Care Items Comb, hairbrush, toothbrush, washcloth, bar soap (packaged and/or in a container), adhesive bandages, (Colorful ones can help a child be more willing to wear a bandage. Do not include liquid antibiotic ointment.), reusable plastic containers: cup, water bottle, plate, bowl, blunt-edged utensils, blanket (Consider filling an empty container with non-liquid items such as hair bows, bracelets, , or washcloths to maximize the space) Clothing & Accessories and pants, pillowcase (loose-fitting sundress), underwear, and , flip-flops, //mittens, sunglasses, tote bag/purse, hair bows, friendship bracelets (woven with yarn or embroidery thread) Crafts & Activities Pencils, small manual pencil sharpener, colored pencils, pencil case, crayons, markers, pens, coloring books, picture book, notebooks, glue stick (Do not include liquid glue.), small adhesive tape, watercolor set, [Finger paint palette/crayons/markers (non-liquid containers), paint brushes, canvas or paper], make-it-yourself craft items or kit, Playdoh, (Consider adding plastic cookie cutters as non-sharp utensils the child can use with the Playdoh), stickers, jump rope Toys Foam ball, kickball (Make sure to include a manual air pump so that the ball can be re-inflated), finger puppets, Slinky, Etch A Sketch, interactive toys that include push , lights, noise, (include extra batteries) Girls Age 5-9

A WOW Item Same as above* Doll, (Consider including accessories such as doll clothes or a small doll bed.), backpack. Personal Care Items Same as above*, non-liquid lip balm, flashlight (solar-powered or hand-crank; if battery operated, be sure to include extra batteries of the type needed), compact mirror School Supplies Pencils, small manual pencil sharpener, erasers, colored pencils, pencil case, crayons, markers, pens, notebooks, glue stick (Do not include liquid glue.), small adhesive tape, protractor, blank index cards, solar powered calculator, safety scissors, ruler. Clothing & Accessories Shirts and pants, pillowcase dress (loose-fitting sundress), underwear, shoes and socks, flip-flops, hat/scarf/mittens, decorative hat, sunglasses, tote bag/purse, hair bows, friendship bracelets (woven with yarn or embroidery thread) Crafts & Activities Coloring books, watercolor set, make it yourself craft items or kit, puzzles, Playdoh, (Consider adding plastic cookie cutters as non- sharp utensils the child can use with the Playdoh.), stickers, chalkboard and chalk, binoculars, jump rope. Toys Foam ball, kickball, (Make sure to include a manual air pump so that the ball can be re-inflated), items to play dress up such as crowns and costume jewelry, plastic toys and figures, yo-yo, small Frisbee, small kite, Etch A Sketch.

Girls Age 10-14

A WOW Item School Supplies Same as above* Same as above* Personal Care Items Same as above*, nail clippers and file, stick deodorant, washable/reusable, cloth menstrual pads Clothing & Accessories Same as above*, wristwatch, bead jewelry/kit, hair accessories (hair clips, ribbons, ponytail holders) Crafts & Activities Puzzles, binoculars, compass, chalkboard and chalk, sewing kit, fabric (1-2 yards, ribbon, laminated decorative pictures with looped ribbon attached as a picture hanger, gardening kit with gloves and trowel hand tool (Do not include gardening seeds) Toys Same as above*, kaleidoscope, marbles.

Boys Age 2-4

A WOW Item Soccer ball (Make sure to include a manual air pump so that the ball can be re-inflated.), stuffed animal, an outfit of clothing to wear, small musical instrument (such as a harmonica or woodwind recorder) Personal Care Item Comb, hairbrush, toothbrush, washcloth, bar soap (packaged and/or in a container), adhesive bandages, (Colorful ones can help a child be more willing to wear a bandage. Do not include liquid antibiotic ointment.), reusable plastic containers: cup, water bottle, plate, bowl, blunt-edged utensils, (Consider filling an empty container with non-liquid items such as sunglasses, or washcloths to maximize the space.), blanket Clothing Shirts and pants, underwear, shoes and socks, flip-flops, hat/scarf/mittens, sunglasses Crafts & Activities Pencils, small manual pencil sharpener, colored pencils, pencil case, crayons, markers, pens, coloring books, picture book, notebooks, glue stick (Do not include liquid glue.), small adhesive tape, watercolor set, [Finger paint palette/crayons/markers (non-liquid containers), paint brushes, canvas or paper], make-it-yourself craft items or kit, Playdoh, (Consider adding plastic cookie cutters as non-sharp utensils the child can use with the Playdoh), stickers, jump rope Toys Foam ball, kickball (Make sure to include a manual air pump so that the ball can be re-inflated), finger puppets, Slinky, Etch A Sketch, interactive toys that include push buttons, lights, noise, (include extra batteries)

Boys Age 5-9

A WOW Item Same as above, toy truck or boat, backpack Personal Care Items Same as above, non-liquid lip balm, hand crank or solar powered flashlight. School Supplies Pencils, small manual pencil sharpener, erasers, colored pencils, pencil case, crayons, markers, pens, notebooks, glue stick (Do not include liquid glue.), small adhesive tape, protractor, blank index cards, solar powered calculator, safety scissors, ruler. Clothing & Accessories and pants, socks and shoes, underwear, flip flops, wristwatch, hat, scarf, mittens, sunglasses Crafts & Activities Coloring books, watercolor set, make it yourself craft items or kit, puzzles, Playdoh, (Consider adding plastic cookie cutters as non- sharp utensils the child can use with the Playdoh.), stickers, chalkboard and chalk, binoculars, building blocks, tool set. Toys Foam ball, kickball (Make sure to include a manual air pump so that the ball can be re-inflated.), baseball and , tennis ball, plastic dinosaurs, action figures (nothing war related), toy cars, yo-yo, small Frisbee, small kite, Etch A Sketch, hacky sack. Boys 10-14

A WOW Item School Supplies Same as above Same as above Clothing & Accessories Personal Care Items Same as above, bandana Same as above, stick deodorant, nail clipper and file Crafts & Activities Puzzles, binoculars, compass, chalkboard and chalk, tool set with work gloves. Fishing kit, brightly colored rope or twine, gardening kit with gloves and trowel (no seeds), magnets, kaleidoscope, jump rope, playing cards, marbles. Toys Foam ball, kickball (Make sure to include a manual air pump so that the ball can be re-inflated.), baseball and glove, tennis ball, toy cars, yo-yo, small Frisbee, small kite, hacky sack. Frequently Asked Questions

Are playing cards allowed? Yes! Playing cards can be included in your shoebox gifts.

How about little toys like spiders, bugs, snakes, etc.? All of those items are allowed.

Can we include batteries? Yes. However, if the batteries are loose, both ends must be covered with tape.

Can we include paint sets or glue bottles? No, both of these items are liquids and can’t be included in your shoebox gifts. However, dry paint sets (such as watercolors) or glue sticks are OK to pack!

Can we include a toolkit with nails, screws, screwdrivers, and hammers? Yes! The only tools that can’t be included are saws or pocketknives.

Are scissors OK? Yes! Scissors are OK to include in your shoebox gifts.

Can items with camouflage be included? If the child can wear or use the items without looking like a soldier, they are OK to include in your shoebox gift. Pink or colored camouflage is safe as are pencils, wallets, or socks.

Are squirt guns allowed? Squirt guns can be included as long as they do not look like real guns. Brightly colored squirt guns are great to pack in your shoebox.

Can glow sticks go in a shoebox gift? Yes, glow sticks are OK to pack in your gift. If the tube breaks, the liquid does not spill out and can’t damage other items.

Can we include wet wipes? Yes, wet wipes do not have enough liquid to spill out into the shoebox so they are OK to include in your gift.

Can rubber balls be included if they have liquid glitter inside? No, these would be considered inappropriate because of the liquid.

What type of candy is allowed in shoebox gifts? Starting in 2017, no type of candy at all will be allowed in shoebox gifts, due to increasing customs regulations. Please email us at [email protected] if you have any questions.

Is lip gloss OK to pack in a shoebox gift? Lip gloss is a liquid and can’t be included. However, Chapstick, lip balm or lipstick can go!

Can I include toothpaste in my shoebox? Starting in 2017, toothpaste will not be allowed in shoebox gifts, due to increasing customs regulations. Please email us at [email protected] if you have any questions.

Is Play-Doh OK to pack in a shoebox gift? Yes, Play-Doh can be included in your shoebox gift. However, some children might think it is edible.

Can compact mirrors go in a shoebox gift? Yes. Compact mirrors can be included because if the glass shatters, it will be contained.

Click this link to learn more: www.samaritanspurse.org/operationchristmaschild