Ideas for Community Groups
Operation Christmas Child is a great way to get your community group involved in a ‘hands on’ activity that makes a real difference to children in need around the world.
Whether it is as part of a retirement community, women's institute or through the Scouts or Girl Guides, packing shoeboxes gifts is a fun and meaningful activity for all ages.
Getting started:
- Order or download free resources to share about the project. Posters, leaflets and videos are available from our website.
- You might like to supply empty shoeboxes for wrapping or purchase decorative our preprinted shoeboxes.
- Consider holding a launch event and sharing photos, videos and stories to inspire your group. You could also Invite an Operation Christmas Child Volunteer to give a presentation by emailing connect@samaritans-purse.org.uk.
Shared Activities
- Make quality craft items together
- Make Christmas cards and write letters to the children who will receive their shoebox gifts.
- Organise a sponsored event or bake sale to cover your £5 per shoebox project donation.
- Visit a processing centre together
Build Shoebox Gifts Online Together
Building shoebox gifts online is another great option for your class or school. Choose from our selections of toys and other fun items to include in your gift. Then, personalise it by adding a letter and photo. We’ll pack everything for you and prayerfully send it on its way with the message of God’s love for a boy or girl in need around the world!
You can even create a goal page and build shoebox gifts together online as a school. Our custom goal pages allow you to set an online shoebox target, build together online and watch as your goal tracker grows and represents more children blessed with the joy of a shoebox gift and the eternal hope of the Gospel. Create a goal page
Scout & Guide Groups
- Operation Christmas Child works with the methods and objectives of the Scout & Guide communities. Learn More
- The campaign also fulfils various Badge & Award requirements covering Global & Community Challenges. Learn More
- You could also arrange for your group to volunteer at a Processing Centre during the campaign and help check shoeboxes for shipment. Contact us at occ@samaritans-purse.org.uk to set this up.
