2009
Operation Christmas Child ®




A PROJECT of SAMARITAN’S PURSE ®
www.samaritanspurse.org

The mission of Operation Christmas Child is to demonstrate God's love
in a tangible way to needy children around the world, and together
with the local church worldwide, to share the Good News of Jesus Christ. ©


OCC pictureOPERATION CHRISTMAS CHILD - HISTORY
Operation Christmas Child®  began as a project of Samaritan's Purse ®  in 1993 to give gifts to young war survivors in Bosnia.  They hoped to collect 1,000 shoeboxes full of gifts.  Amazingly, 28,000 boxes were collected that first year!  Now having completed 15 years of collection, almost 70 million shoebox gifts for poor, sick, and suffering children in over 100 countries have been given out.  Last year was the biggest collection year so far with close to 8 million boxes collected. 

In the 8 years that the Cleveland Church of Christ family has participated in OCC, we have collected 620 boxes.  In 2008, our Cleveland congregation delivered 94 shoeboxes to the Mankato drop-off location. 

Besides the gifts, OCC will put in each shoebox a booklet called THE GREATEST GIFT OF ALL.  Written in the local language of the child receiving it, this booklet tells the gospel message of Jesus Christ and is illustrated with pictures to help the child see the story along with reading it.  

Local churches lead a follow-up DISCIPLESHIP PROGRAM which has 10 lessons over viewing the Good News of Jesus.  Children who complete the 10 lessons receive a personalized certificate and a New Testament Bible.  Since 1999, more than 12 million children from 66 countries have participated in the Bible lessons.  Of this number, some 2.8 million children have reported that they made the decision to ask Jesus into their hearts.©


OCC picture2009 - WHAT TO DO
1. Take one or more of the empty shoeboxes we have in our church foyer... or use one of yours from home. Use a standard size shoebox, please.  Wrap if you like, but wrap the lid separate.
2. Take at least one OCC brochure from our display at church or you  may download an OCC brochure from the Samaritan's Purse website here.  It will explain how to pack the box including gift ideas / suggestions. 
3. Shop & fill the box(s). Include a letter and picture, if you like. If you include you name & address, the child may write back. Do include minimum $7 handling per box... or do the EZ GIVE* donation online.
4. Return filled box(s) to the Church of Christ, 900 State Hwy 99, Cleveland, MN (507-931-5924) by Sunday, November 15, 2009.
5. Keep the child who will receive your box in your prayers.

OR      If you prefer not to shop, you may donate money for the purchase of gifts.  Drop any amount in the black mailbox at the Cleveland Church of Christ and Julie Dittrich will do the rest.  If you wish, fill your name, address, etc. on an OCC brochure and attach it to your money gift.  Julie will see that your name goes with the box she packs for you.  Make your money donations by Sunday, November 1, if possible.

OCC pictureWHERE WILL YOUR SHOEBOX GO?
You can discover the destination of your shoe box gift(s) by using EZ Give*.  Make your donation online and then print out the EZ Give label included in your email receipt. The barcode on the label will enable the tracking of each shoe box gift. When shoe boxes begin shipping overseas, you will receive an email telling you the destination of your gift, along with information about Operation Christmas Child in that country. ©

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*EZ Give is a service offered by Samaritan's Purse.  It is a simple, convenient way to make your shoe box donation online by using a credit or debit card, eliminating the need to place a check inside the box. After completing your donation, you will be able to print out special EZ Give shoebox labels included in your email receipt that indicates you have made your donation online rather than placing it inside your shoe box gift. ©

© 2009 Samaritan's Purse.  All rights reserved. Used with permission. 
® Trademark registered by Samaritan's Purse. Used with permission.



              2009 Cleveland OCC Flyer  Our Cleveland Church Flyer about OCC 2009