Memories of Shoe Box Distributions ~ Behind The Shoe Boxes: Stories of Sharing

I would like to introduce you to Rilla who had the privilege of going on an Operation Christmas Child shoebox distribution.  She also loves crafting for shoe boxes, and of course, packing them.  If you have been around the OCC Facebook community much, you will have seen Rilla sharing--that's how I "met" her. UPDATED 2017:  The images have all disappeared from this post.

When I was asked to share my shoebox story, a few things came to mind. For one thing I wanted to share some of my experiences during shoebox distributions that I was blessed to be a part of. In 2002 and 2003 I was blessed to be able to go to the country of Belarus and help hand out OCC shoeboxes as a part of Josh McDowell's ministry Operation Bearlift. I have so many good memories of those 2 trips.

Several children stand out, but 2 little girls especially come to mind. One was a 15 year old who only had a doll and some candy in her box. But I still remember how excited she was and how she could hardly wait for us to get the cardboard piece off the doll so she could hold it. And at the other end of the age spectrum, a 3 year old girl. I didn't see what else came in her box, but it didn't matter cause she had eyes only for the doll in her box. 2 young girls who had probably never had a doll of their own before. I often wonder about them. One a young teenager now. Does she still play with her doll sometimes? And the other, a young lady now, perhaps with children of her own. If she has a

Adding a Little Love with a Personal Touch ~ Behind The Shoe Boxes: Stories of Sharing

I would like to introduce you to a crafter extraordinaire:  Pam Suter.  She has added a personal touch to hundreds of Operation Christmas Child shoe boxes, ones she has personally packed and those packed at the massive packing parties put on by OCC Northwestern PA each year (think tens of thousands of boxes packed in one day).  Her hands are kept very busy.

A Prayer, A Child, A Flyer, and A Packing Party
  by Pam Suter

"Lord, please make me your hands and feet". That had been my prayer for several years, and is still my prayer now. I had been searching for ways to be "Jesus' hands and feet" for quite some time, and had served in some ministries ever since

Youth with a Passion ~ Behind the Operation Christmas Child Shoeboxes: Stories of Sharing

Today's Behind the Operation Christmas Child Shoebox story shows us that we are never too young to dedicate ourselves to a project we are passionate about.  Cora has found a creative way to fund her passion (I've included several pictures of her products from her blog for you to see).

Hello! My name is Cora, I am 14 years old, and I hand-make bookmarks and jewelry to raise money for Samaritan's Purse / Operation Christmas Child. I blog

Happiness is Handmade ~ Behind the Operation Christmas Child Shoebox

This first in our new series of Behind the Operation Christmas Child Shoebox:  Stories of Sharing is not only introducing an individual but a group she has developed on Facebook and invites us all to join. Meet Jo (and some of her crafting friends & their work).

My name is Jo, I live in the UK and I'm the administrator for a Facebook page called Crafting for Shoeboxes.

This will be my tenth year of making shoeboxes for Operation Christmas Child.  In the last few years, I've been making some items for my boxes and also putting together kits to encourage the child to craft.  When I told my friend Carol, a fellow shoeboxer and crafter, that I'd been thinking about setting up a page for people like us, she was very enthusiastic and so Crafting for Shoeboxes was born.

Crafted by Steve

When we started last summer, I thought that if we got 30 people 'liking' us, that would be great.  We have just passed the 800 mark [Update 2017: they have

Behind the Operation Christmas Child Shoeboxe ~ Stories of Sharing

I love a good story!  And biographies top the list!  So it is natural to gravitate toward the stories of those who work behind the scenes to get shoe box gifts to children in need around the world.  From the average packer to the crafter of fillers, from the deal shoppers to the year round volunteers, from the fundraisers to the Operation Christmas Child employees, they all have a story to tell.

It is my desire to find out their stories and to bring them to Simply Shoeboxes so you, too, can take a look Behind the Shoe Box and read these Stories of Sharing.  And I hope, like me, they inspire you to keep on doing what you love to do behind the shoe box scenes.

Each week I plan to introduce you to a shoe box packer.  You can click on this banner in the sidebar anytime to see them all.

If you have a story to tell or know of someone who would be perfect for this series, check out this page with all the information you need to know to guest post:  Tell Your Shoe Box Sharing Story.  I would love to hear your story.

Guidelines for Submitting a "Behind the OCC Shoeboxes ~ Stories of Sharing" Guest Post

I would love to have you tell your shoebox sharing story here at Simply Shoe Boxes.  I love hearing how others are involved behind the Operation Christmas Child shoebox scenes.

If you would like to submit your story as a guest post here please follow these guidelines.  We will contact you to let you know when your story will be shared.

Write your Story

• Use an autobiographical form in 750 words or less.  
• First person.
• Keep paragraphs short.
• The use of bullets or numbered items helps break up a long post and keeps readers reading.  Use them if possible, if not it is no problem.
• Include items such as (you are not limited by this list, nor do you have to include these things):
• How long have you been involved?
• What got you interested?
• What keeps you going?
• Do you have a special memory from your involvement?
• Do you have a shoe box specialty?  Such as:
• Packing Parties.
• Crafting for fillers.
• Personally shopping for fillers.
• Personally packing shoe boxes.
• Are you a year round volunteer?
• Are you an OCC employee?
• Anything that details your story.
• How do you raise funds or gather supplies you need?
• Do you blog about it or keep a Facebook page?
• Include links to these if you do.
• Include images that illustrate your involvement.

Submit your Story

• Email your story in email form to simply blogs @ live . com
• Add Subject Line:  "Behind the Shoe Boxes Story"
• Attach your images to the email.

I have never done a series of quest posts and may run into problems I do not see, but as of now I plan to post every story I receive.  If I begin receiving too many I may not be able to post them all in a timely manner.  But we will deal that when it happens and I will let you know if I may not be able to post all that I receive.

You can read thru the stories already published here:  Why I Pack Operation Christmas Child Shoeboxes.