Packing Hope: Join Us for Operation Christmas Child 2025!

At Fairview EPC, we believe in sharing God's love and bringing joy to children around the world. That's why we're so excited to partner with Operation Christmas Child again in 2025! This year, we're doing things a little differently to make it even easier for everyone to participate.

A Year of Giving, a Lifetime of Impact

Instead of a single collection period, we'll be collecting items throughout the entire year! Each month, we'll focus on specific items that are perfect for shoebox gifts. This allows us to spread out our efforts and ensure we have a wide variety of gifts to bless children in need.

Why Operation Christmas Child?

Operation Christmas Child, a project of Samaritan's Purse, delivers shoebox gifts filled with toys, school supplies, hygiene items, and other essentials to children in developing countries. These simple gifts often open doors for sharing the Gospel and demonstrating God's love in tangible ways. It's more than just a gift; it's a message of hope.

Learn more about the incredible work of Operation Christmas Child on the Samaritan's Purse website.

How to Get Involved This Year:

Participating is easy! Each month, we'll announce recommended items for each of the following age groups:

• 2-4 Years Old
• 5-9 Years Old
• 10-14 Years Old

You can drop off your donations in the designated collection bins located in the conference room on the first floor..

January's Focus: Warmth and Creativity!

For January, we're collecting items to keep children warm and spark their imaginations:

• Hats & Mittens: These provide warmth and comfort, especially in colder climates. Please consider durable, washable materials.
• Coloring Books: Coloring is a fun and creative activity that children of all ages enjoy. Please ensure the coloring books do not depict violent or inappropriate content.

Ideas for each age group for January:

• 2-4 Years Old: Small, soft hats and mittens, chunky crayons, simple coloring books with large images.
• 5-9 Years Old: Knit or fleece hats and mittens, regular crayons or colored pencils, coloring books with more detailed pictures.
• 10-14 Years Old: Teen-friendly hats and gloves (consider neutral colors), colored pencils or fine-tipped markers, more advanced coloring books or sketch pads.

Important Guidelines:

• All items should be new.
• Please avoid including food, liquids, or items that could melt or break easily.
• We'll provide shoeboxes closer to the packing week, but you can start collecting items now!

For a complete list of what to pack (and what not to pack), please visit: Link to What to Pack page on Samaritan's Purse Website

Join the Movement of Hope!

We believe that even small acts of kindness can make a big difference in a child's life. By participating in Operation Christmas Child, you're not just packing a shoebox; you're packing hope, love, and the message of Jesus Christ.

Call to Action:

• Start collecting hats, mittens, and coloring books today!
• Share this page with your friends and family.
• Stay tuned for next month's recommended items!
• Volunteer to help with shoebox packing later in the year! Contact Elizabeth Dilks to learn more.

We are so excited to partner with you in this important mission! Let's pack hope together!