This week is National Collection Week for Operation Christmas Child which means you have until Friday to get your boxes filled and dropped off (if you haven’t already!)
Princess and I spent some time this past week getting our boxes ready to go. We had such a fun time doing it–she was even more into this year than last year–and we had enough stuff to complete 12 boxes. (A little short of our goal of 15, but still 2 more than last year!)
It was definitely a multi-day project to fill this many boxes. We collected items all year, but still also made a few OCC-specific trips to Target to shop the clearance & dollar sections. It would have been much easier to shop while she was at school, but I wanted her to understand the importance of going to the store to shop for others and not herself. I was so proud to see her start thinking about other kids and what they have and don’t have.
The coloring pages are fun but they also took a while–her attention span could make it through about 3 at a time. The printable available from OCC is 2 pages, but we just did the first page for each box.
For more ideas on filling your Operation Christmas Child boxes with budget-friendly stuff, be sure to go back and read this post!
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Rachel November 14, 2011 at 3:33 pm
We completed our three this weekend. MM and GA enjoyed this time of giving. I am excited to be able to track the boxes via the website.
Debbie November 14, 2011 at 3:46 pm
Awesome Ruth! I wasn’t fortunate enough to be able to get boxes as I learned about this too late. But what I did do this year was my kids school is running a food drive, which every year I clean out excess stuff in the cabinets and donate. But the girl scout troop at their school was doing a collection of health and beauty products, toothpaste, feminine products, etc. for a local women’s shelter call A Safe Place. I’ve donated to them in the past and this time I sent a big box full of various things I got for next to nothing! Toothbrushes, toothpaste, floss, panty liners, vitamins, soap. lotions, etc. I even through in some baby stuff I had that I never used from my son who is now 3. I know these women show up at the shelter with literally the clothes on their backs so I know this will help them out!
Tiffany November 14, 2011 at 8:06 pm
I did a box this year for the first time and it was a very positive experience. I feel inspired to be on the lookout all year long now for really great buys that would be great for these boxes so that i can do more next year!
~she~ November 14, 2011 at 8:48 pm
We’re going the same boxes this year! I had never heard of this program before but our church is sponsoring it this year. We picked up 4 boxes, one for each of our kids to fill. I am really looking foward to picking out things to fill the boxes with!
Kheila November 15, 2011 at 12:44 pm
I completed one box this year, my first year to get involved. I will definitely do more next year. Also my husbands job is doing both a food drive and collecting toys. So I have sent many items with him. This year for the food drive they are asking for individual size items for childrens lunches, so with my coupons I have gotten this type food and am happy knowing what the needs are and being able to do a little more.
Jessica Washburn November 15, 2011 at 12:56 pm
Ruth,
I love this. We need to get started on our ‘sub for Santa’s’ too, I’ll have to check out your Operation Child Boxes thing, sounds so great. Love the photos of Princess. I’m starting to wonder how you have time for it all…do you ever sleep?
xoxo, Jess
runningtobeskinny.com
Bohemian Hijabi November 15, 2011 at 6:08 pm
I love this idea! I had never heard of it before. I am too late to participate, but I would love to implement it in a charity that I am attempting to start for schools in poverty-stricken areas. Thanks for posting!
Cassandra November 15, 2011 at 7:07 pm
You are SUCH an inspiration Ruth! Wonderful job with the task AND getting your kids into the spirit of GIVING to others in need! This holiday season I will be handing out blankets to shelters in a project called Warm the World. A friend of mine started it last year in California handing outblankets on Skid Row, and Ive taken on the task of starting a chapter in Alabama. Its a lot of work, but LORD is it needed!
Pounds4Pennies November 15, 2011 at 11:55 pm
How wonderful! What a great organization to be a part of. I am glad your children enjoyed helping. It is great to get them involved at an early age.
Marisa November 17, 2011 at 2:15 am
We filled 6 boxes for OCC and plan to sponsor a local family for the holidays.
Ivy November 18, 2011 at 5:07 am
Hi Ruth! I enjoy reading both of your blogs and love all your money-saving tips and of course, couponing the normal way:) Since I started using coupons earlier this year, I’ve been collecting items for my children’s school. For the past 3 months, I was able to donate items at each of my sons’ individual classrooms monthly. But, this Christmas, I would also like to extend that to every classroom in each of my sons’ grade level. I know that it’s going to be quite a daunting task for me, but at the same token, I want to show my 3 children that it’s more important and truly rewarding to give than to receive.