How To Make Kids Happy Worldwide Without Leaving Wyoming

Times are tough for families worldwide, thanks to a mission that began in 1993 by Samaritan’s Purse President Franklin Graham.

A man from England contacted him and asked if Graham would be willing to fill shoeboxes with gifts for kids in Europe. Shortly after the mission began, with the help of a church in Charlotte, NC, they filled over 11,000 boxes. That Christmas, Samaritan’s Purse sent 28,000 shoeboxes filled with gifts to kids overseas.

That’s when Operation Christmas Child began, and today, more than 220 million boxes are sent annually to kids worldwide.

This year, National Collection Week for the shoeboxes is November 18-25, so if you’d like to get involved, now is the time to begin packing shoeboxes to ensure that you’ll be able to meet the deadline.

You, your church, organization, family, or friends can easily get involved by having a packing party and then dropping the packed shoeboxes at one of the many drop-off locations around Wyoming.

Remember that some of these kids have never received gifts like this when packing shoeboxes, so make sure to make each box memorable.

There are six categories you should pick items to put into each box for both boys and girls.

1. A WOW item.
2. Personal care items.
3. School supplies.
4. Clothing & Accessories.
5. Games & Activities.
6. Toys.

It’s recommended to avoid items like:

• Food, candy, or gum.
• Toothpaste
• Used or damaged items
• Scary or war-related items.
• Seeds or organic matter.
• Liquids.
• Medication.
• Money.
• Fire-starters.
• Knives, saws, or razor blades.

I have included a complete list of recommended items for boys and girls HERE.  

6 Steps For Wyomingites To Participate In Operation Christmas Child