Operation Christmas Child Shoebox Presents

Well, it's nearly that time of year again.

Time for the annual Operation Christmas Child shoebox present collection.

I heard about this organization a few years ago, and wanted to donate some presents, but kept missing the collection dates until last year.

Last year I was able to give two shoebox presents, one for a boy and one for a girl. I don't know where they went to, but I was happy to have been able to make two children very happy over the holidays.

If you don't know what Operation Christmas Child is, it is an organization that collects presents for young children, which are shoeboxes filled with toys and necessities, and then ships and gives them out all over the world.

You can check out more information on their website here.

It is an amazing thing, OCC. I am so glad I was able to participate last year, and hope to do so again this year.

Honoring the Service Animals of 9/11

This past Thursday, I went over to a neighbor's house for their dog and cat toy craft. It was in honor of the animals that helped find people after the 9/11 attacks. They had invited me last week, and I am so glad I went.

We made:

Dog and cat fleece beds. This one is for a dog. I had told my neighbor that I had always wanted to make one of these, and she let me take a couple home for my cats. I put this in one of their favorite spots, and my cats absolutely LOVE them!!

Cat cork toys, which we could decorate with pipe cleaners, feathers, and ribbon if we wanted.

 

Braided rope dog toys, which are made out of old t-shirts.

 

Catnip sachets, made with pieces of fabric, string, catnip, and cotton balls.

 

 

These were all very easy to make, and I plan to make more someday. These are for shelter pets, who I was very happy to make these toys for.

 

I got a hug out of this, from my neighbor's son, when I left to go home (he wasn't even asked or told to do this; he did it of his own accord!). Which was really nice.

 

I hope we can do this again sometime, as I really enjoyed the day.

 



Sending Off My Operation Christmas Child Shoebox Presents

Well, I finally went shopping for my OCC presents, and have put them together. Now, I just need to send them off, so they can brighten a child's life.

I heard about this a few years ago, when a local church had a sign out front about their participation in it. I wanted to do it ever since, but kept missing the drop-off dates. I also didn't know until this year that I could mail one to Samaritan's Purse all year round, until this year.

So, I finally got myself to get out and make one. Or two, in this case.

 

This year, I am making two, one for a girl, and one for a boy. Both are in the 5-9 year-old age range. In the future, I hope to give ones for all the age ranges they give these gifts to.

 

I had so much fun and joy putting these together, and can't wait to drop these off at the drop-off location in my area.

I don't know when exactly I will be dropping off my shoebox presents, but the collection is this week, so I have some time to get them there.

This is such an amazing organization, and I am so thankful I found out about it. They do something for others that is beyond words.

You can send shoeboxes in all year, as well, so if you would like more information, you can go here. Please consider doing this. It will make you feel soooo good, to know that a child who may not get anything otherwise, will definitely have something this year.