Operation Christmas Child, an outreach program of Franklin Graham’s Samaritans Purse, 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. Easiest described as “Christmas in a shoebox”, participants fill shoeboxes with small gifts and necessities which will be distributed to children worldwide.
Since 1999, Bartlett UMC has participated in OCC. In 2003, Bartlett UMC became the drop-off center for West Tennessee and Northern Arkansas. In 2008, we processed over 20,000 shoeboxes.
How can I help?
Fill a shoebox
Help promote OCC to area churches and schools in the Bartlett area
Volunteer during the collection week (week before Thanksgiving)
Make sandwiches, snacks, and goodies for volunteers
How to pack a shoe box:
Find an empty shoe box. (You can wrap it—lid separately—if you would like)
Decide whether your gift will be for a boy or girl and choose an age category:
(2-4), (5-9), or (10-14).
Fill your shoe box with a variety of gifts:
· Toys: small cars, balls, dolls, stuffed animals, plastic kazoos, harmonicas,
yo-yos, small Etch A Sketch®, toys that light up or make noise (with extra
batteries), Slinky, etc.
· School supplies: pens, pencils and sharpener, crayons or markers, stamps
and ink pad sets, coloring books, writing pads or paper, solar calculators,
etc.
· Hygiene items: toothbrush, toothpaste, soap, comb, washcloth, etc.
· Other: hard candy, lollipops, mints, gum, sunglasses, flashlights with extra
batteries, ball caps, socks, T-shirts, toy jewelry sets, hair clips, watches,
small picture books, etc.
Do NOT include the following items:
· Used items
· War-related items (toy guns, toy soldiers, knives, etc.)
· Perishable items (chocolate, canned foods, crackers, etc.)
· Liquids (shampoo, lotion, bubbles, etc.)
· Medicines (vitamins, cough drops, ointment, etc.)
· Breakable items (mirrors, china dolls, etc.)
·
Finally, try to include $7 to help cover shipping and other costs.
For more information please click on the following link:
Operation Christmas Child
To reach our church from I40, use exit 12 Sycamore View & travel north into
Bartlett. Sycamore View will becomeBartlett Boulevard which will intersect
with Stage road at traffic lights. Turn left onto Stage & the church is along on
the right after crossing the railroad tracks. Click here for a map to the
church.