I know this is early to think about, but I am planning out some 4-H activites for the year and Cathy's post got me thinking about charitable giving.

Does anyone know an address or a place to get information about the charity that collects shoe-boxes filled with "goodies" that are given to children who would not get a Christmas gift otherwise. I think most of them are sent to Foreign Countries.

I thought this would be a good project for the 4-H'ers as they could all bring in several items and we could put together several boxes from the contributions.

-- Melissa in SE Ohio (me@home.net), February 24, 2002

Answers

We did this with boy scouts and got the info. f/local paper. I think it's called operation christmas. Ours went through a church. If I remember exact contact, I'll post it.

-- DW in CO (djwallace@ctos.com), February 24, 2002.

It is part of Franklin Graham's ministry called Samaratin's Purse. Operation Christmas CHild. I am sure you can find a web site for it

-- Tana Mc (mcfarm@totelcsi.net), February 24, 2002.

This is a great ministry! I have sent shoe boxes to them. Check out www.demossnewspond.com/occ

-- Barb in Ky. (bjconthefarm@yahoo.com), February 24, 2002.

The Bible Broadcasting Network, which has radio stations in different parts of the US, sends shoes, socks, and soap to a children's home in Moldova (sp?). That might not sound fun for the children, but the reports are that they are actually thrilled to have them. Many of the children do not have shoes that fit, do not have socks at all, and hardly ever see soap. The website is www.bbnradio.org/bbn

-- Cathy N. (homekeeper86@sympatico.ca), February 24, 2002.

Josh McDowell also has done the shoebox drive. His ministry is part of Campus Crusade for Christ, so a websearch at Google should turn up an address.

-- melina b. (goatgalmjb1@hotmail.com), February 24, 2002.

Our church has filled shoe boxes for Christmas for 3 or so years now.The kids are always eager to get involved wth this ministry.This really makes my kids think about how much they receive at Christmas which is always too much.I'm already saving shoe boxes and the best ones to use are big with lids that come completely off.I was in Dollar General the other day and I was telling my son we need to start picking up the things to put in the shoe boxes.Hope you allenjoy this as much as we do.willa in IL.

-- willa (goodall6@hotmail.com), February 24, 2002.

Melissa: What you want is Operation Christmas Child, run by the Samaritan's purse ministry. We do this too, and have been working on this year's boxes already. The website although not up to date with the information yet for this year is http://www.samaritanspurse.org/home.asp. Later in the year, you will be able to pull up where the nearest collection point is in your area, etc. They request that you don't seal the boxes, just wrap them, and print out a label for either boy or girl and the age. No war toys, etc. Nice way to help out some that wouldn't get anything. Jan

-- Jan in Co (Janice12@aol.com), February 24, 2002.

Thank you! I went on the site and ordered some promotional materials (brochures, posters, and a video) I think this will be a great project for our club and I think I will use it for my library kids, and the church youth groups. It will be nice to get the whole town involved!

-- Melissa in SE Ohio (me@home.net), February 25, 2002.