1st Quarter Review of 55th Birthday Yearlong Plan: Collect 55 OCC Boxes

There are about 20 weeks until it’s time to turn in Operation Christmas Child boxes. That seems soon, right?

What’s in your cupboard? Some of mine are full of Operation Christmas Child Boxes.

My goal is to collect 55 boxes and shipping fee for each box by the November 2013 deadline. Right now I have 19 boxes. 10 for boys and 9 for girls.

There are 3 age ranges to buy for: 2-4, 5-9, and 10-14. From what I’ve read the most popular group to buy for is the 5-9 year old group. So I’ve been concentrating on the 2-4 age group and most especially the 10-14 year old group.

During this next quarter I am going to collect enough stuff for 15 boxes for the oldest group: 10-14 year-olds.

Several folks have asked if they could help me with this endeavor – YOU BET!!!!! Below is a list of items I’ll be collecting. This list is geared toward the 10-14 year olds.

The recommendation is to put at last one thing into the box from each of the following categories:

HYGIENE ITEMS

• Bar Soap (MILD) and bagged to keep smell from getting into candy
• Comb or Brush
• Deodorant
• Feminine Hygiene
• Grooming Supplies: good quality – nail clippers, tweezers, emery boards
• Hair Accessories: ribbon, larger hair clips, elastics
• Toothbrush
• Toothpaste – make sure it isn’t expired
• Washcloth

SCHOOL ITEMS

• Blank cards for writing notes to friends/family
• Crayons/Colored Pencils
• Eraser(s)
• More complicated coloring books or sketch pads
• Paper/Notepad
• Pens/Pencils
• Pencil Sharpener
• Solar Powered Calculator

SOMETHING SPECIAL

• Fishing Kit: pill bottles with fishing hooks, line, sinkers
• Flashlight with extra batteries
• Knitting needles/crochet hook and yarn
• Sewing Kit: needles, thread, buttons, ribbon, pins, fabric (1 yard), scissors
• Small Tools: Good Quality – hammer, screwdriver, nails, screws, measuring tape (metric), duct tape, pliers
• Water Bottle or Cup

SOMETHING TO PLAY WITH

• Balls, deflated with pumps or beach balls
• Toy Cars
• Harmonica
• Jacks
• Jewelry or beads to make their own
• Jump Ropes
• Legos
• Marbles
• Model Kits for the boys
• More difficult craft kits like cross stitch or embroidery
• More difficult puzzles
• Tic Tac Toe
• Toys like paddle ball, yo-yo, cards or card games, travel games

SOMETHING TO EAT

• Chewing Gum – double bag the gum
• Hard Candy & Lollipops – double bag these

SOMETHING TO LOVE

• Stuffed animal

SOMETHING TO WEAR

• Flip Flops
• Gloves/Scarf/Winter Hat
• Purse/Small Backpack
• Socks
• Sunglasses
• Underwear

OTHER

• $7.00 Shipping Fee
• Greeting Card/Note to Child
• Photo of your family
• Shoebox – either cardboard or good quality plastic
• Tote Bag

Your Turn . . .

• Have you ever packed an Operation Christmas Child Shoebox? If yes, what is your favourite thing to include? Have any buying or packing tips?
• If you’d like to help with this project, leave a comment or email me.

Related Posts for What to Put in a Box. . . If you make any extra of the following and want to donate here, please do!

• Crochet This Darling Puppy (for a girl or boy) by Red Heart 
• Create a Sewing Box by Clip With Purpose
• Pack a Toolkit by Clip With Purpose
• Sew an Adorable But Simple Doll and Dress by Judis Dolls

Related Posts from Frutifulwords . . .

• 1st Quarter Review of 55th Birthday Yearlong Plan: Create 55 Times
• Everyone Can Help One Child
• Grateful I am Able to Help 
• I Help Because I am a Parent, Auntie, and Missionary
• Love in a Box