Grand Lake UMC St. Paul’s campus will once again serve as a Drop-Off Site for Operation Christmas Child the week of November 15-22, 2021. This is a reminder to begin packing shoeboxes. Suggested gift ideas include: - a “WOW” item like a soccer ball with pump, a doll, a stuffed animal, or shoes - small toys such as toy cars, jump rope, yo-yo, toys that light up or make noise (with extra batteries) - Non-liquid hygiene items such as toothbrush, bar soap, washcloth, comb - school supplies like pens, pencils, sharpeners, crayons, markers, a notebook and paper, coloring books, or a solar calculator - accessories like socks, sunglasses, jewelry, watches, flashlight (with extra batteries). Please do not include: candy, toothpaste, gum, used or damaged items, war-related items, seeds, food, liquids, lotions, medications, vitamins, breakable items, glass containers or aerosol cans. For specific age-related suggestions visit: https://www.samaritanspurse.org/operation-christmas-child/what-goes-in-my-shoeboxsuggestions/ Our challenge this year is to continue the ministry of Operation Christmas Child while keeping everyone safe during the continuing COVID-19 pandemic. We are working on a plan to allow contactless drop-off of shoeboxes and collection of information from donors. We will comply with regulations established by Samaritan’s Purse so our volunteers will be working to protect you, the donor, to the best of our ability. One other change that has come about due to the pandemic is in how the suggested donation of $9 per box is collected. Money is no longer permitted to be tucked inside the shoebox, but instead must be placed in a postage-paid envelope and mailed to Samaritan’s Purse. Another way to make the $9 donation for your shoebox is by choosing the Follow Your Box option on the Operation Christmas Child website. Go to https://www.samaritanspurse.org/operation-christmas-child/pack-a-shoe-box/ and scroll down to Step 5. You will print out a label that you have paid for already and attach it to the packed shoebox. Operation Christmas Child will send an email letting you know where your shoebox was shipped. It’s exciting to see where in the world our gifts have gone! If you feel that you are unable to pack your own shoebox, there is an option to Build-a-Box online. Go to https://www.samaritanspurse.org/operation-christmas-child/buildonline/ to build a box. The cost is $25. We will again need help in welcoming those who are dropping off boxes, packing the shoeboxes in shipping cartons and loading the cartons onto the semi-trailers. A sign-up for volunteers is available online again this year. Operation Christmas Child brings joy and hope to children in desperate situations around the world through gift-filled shoe boxes and the Good News of God’s love. Since 1993, more than 100 million shoe boxes have been packed, shipped, and delivered across the globe. People of all ages can be involved in this simple, hands-on mission project while focusing on the true meaning of Christmas—Jesus Christ. Please pray about how God would use you through this project. Watch for more information in the GPS and the email Weekly News. Contact Robyn Armstrong if you have questions.