My boys love to play with empty boxes.
They especially love shoe boxes.They fill them with their treasures (cars, teddy bears, farm animals) or stack them and knock them down ...
Today we packed them.
It is just a humble empty, discarded shoebox ...
But
when a child opens a shoe box, they’re opening more than a present lovingly prepared just for them. They’re opening up their community to a world of life-changing opportunities.
Filled with treasures beyond their wildest imaginations it brings hope & a message of love from afar.
Today we started collecting things...gifts we chose and wrapping our boxes . We chose gifts for boys in 2-4 yrs age.
I am planning on making this a yearly tradition.Last year we did it too.
It is such a great and easy way to bring smiles to the many children out there that are not as privileged as our own. It also teaches are children about the joy of giving and bringing happiness to others.
My boys enjoy packing and selecting treasures (gifts). 
It was heartwarming to hear them want to give away their own toys telling me they don't play with them ... and to give their treasures (a much loved Buzz Lightyear figure) to the other little boys ... but Operation Christmas child needs new toys and practical items.
There is just under a week until the boxes need to be handed in...
The instructions are simple
- SOMETHING TO LOVE
Teddy bear, doll, soft toy, etc.
- SOMETHING FOR SCHOOL
Exercise book, pencil case, pens, pencils, colouring pencils, sharpener, eraser, chalk, etc. - SOMETHING TO WEAR
T-shirt, shorts, underwear, cap, beanie, sandals, thongs, etc. - SOMETHING TO PLAY WITH
Tennis ball, cars, skipping rope, marbles, musical instrument, yo-yo, slinky, finger puppets, wind up torch, etc. (No battery operated items)* - SOMETHING FOR PERSONAL HYGIENE
Soap and face washer, toothbrush, hairbrush, comb, hair-clips, scrunchies, etc.(No toothpaste)* - SOMETHING SPECIAL
Carry bag, sunglasses, bangles, necklaces, craft kits, stickers, note or photo of yourself.
In 2009, teams in Australia and New Zealand delivered over 300,000 gift-filled shoe boxes to South East Asia and the South Pacific. Globally, Samaritan’s Purse distributed an estimated 8.5 million shoe boxes to children in 105 countries.
The target this year is 346,000 smiles.
Whose life will your shoe box change this year?
PS We still a have a few spaces we can fill with a comb, soap, toothbrush,pencils and a notebook.
Full details are
here.
Visit The Operation Christmas Child website to find out more and to find out where to drop your shoeboxes call 1800 684 300. There are drop off points all over Australia.
Hurry the last day for Australia is 25th October.
It also operates in many other countries.
Join in over at Childhood 101 for more fun play ideas and inspiration. ♥ 
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