Two years ago, I stumbled upon a project called Operation Christmas Child, sponsored by Samaritan's Purse. I brought the idea to my church, and I've filled shoeboxes for the past 2 Christmases.

What it involves is taking a shoebox, wrapping it up and filling it full of stuff for a child in a developing nation. What I did is bring a box with me to the dollar store, start with things like toothbrushes and soap and then work my way to the toys, candy and school supplies. Then, after packing it all in at home (trust me, this takes some skill...) we always include a card with Christmas wishes on it.

This is one of those projects that I wasn't too sure about my first year doing it, but now it's something I look forward to each year.

Just thought I'd pass along the thought...collection week is November 13-20, so it's never too soon to be thinking about it.

Here's a link to their website for more information, or feel free to noisemail me if you have any other questions...

We used to do the Operation Christmas Child thing too...I did for 5 or 6 years...and it was fun to get to do...I know if it were me living in that kind of stuff...I'd want people to do that for me.

Yeah, my chruch does the Samaritan Shoe Box Operation (that's what we call it I think) i do about one a year because of money situations, but I love doing it! It's a really thing to do at the dollar store!

could you do it for any orgnisation in india?