We are collecting items to fill shoeboxes for Operation Christmas Child. Starting August 7, there will be a box in the Fellowship Hall for you to put items in on Sundays through the end of October. We will then use those items to have a packing party on Saturday, November 5 starting at 1:00 pm. You are welcome to bring any appropriate items anytime during this time period, but we will be concentrating on collecting school supplies and crafts August 7 and 14, clothing items August 21 and 28, personal care items September 4 and 11, “WOW” items September 18 and 25, and toys on October 2 and 9. The last three Sundays in October, we will let you know what types of items we are needing more of so we can fill the boxes to give the children a wonderful variety. These boxes are given to children
ages 2 to 14 so bring items appropriate for a child anywhere in this age range. We will pack the boxes so all the items in a box are for the same age child. Each month I will send out lists of suggestions for each category we are concentrating on for that month. This month’s categories are:

School Supplies/Crafts
Pencils
Erasers
Small Manual Pencil Sharpener
Color Pencils
Pencil Case
Crayons
Markers
Pens
Drawing Pads
Coloring Books
Notebooks
Picture Books
Glue Sticks – No liquid glue
Adhesive Tape
Watercolor Sets
Playdough
Stickers
Jump Ropes
Craft Kits
Puzzles
Chalkboard and Chalk
Binoculars
Compass

Sewing Kit
Gardening Kits – No seeds
Laminated Decorative Pictures
Playing Cards
Solar Powered Calculator
Ruler
Protractor
Scissors
Blank Index Cards
Clothing
Shirts and/or Pants
Sundresses
Underwear
Shoes/Socks
Flip Flops
Hat/Scarf/Mittens
Sunglasses
Tote Bags/Purses
Hair Bows/Ribbons/Barrettes
Friendship Bracelets
Wrist Watch
Decorative Hat
Beaded Jewelry/Bead Kits

Please remember that these items need to be new items. Make sure they are quality items that will last because this might be the only gift these children receive this year. If you donate an item that takes batteries, include extra batteries. Although we want to fill as many boxes as possible, we also want the child to be happy with what they receive, so please donate items that your child or grandchild would be excited to get. There are items that CANNOT be included in the boxes.

PLEASE DO NOT INCLUDE ANY OF THE FOLLOWING:
Food – Candy, Chocolate, Gum, Fruit Snacks, Fruit Roll-Ups, Drink Mixes (powder or liquid)
Vitamins or Medications
Toothpaste
Liquids or Lotions
Seeds – Eating or planting

Scary or War Related Items – Toy Guns, Military figures
Snow Globes
Glass Containers or Items
Aerosol Cans