Operation Christmas Child

GEMS Girls’ Clubs is grateful for our partnership with Operation Christmas Child. Thank you to those who participated last year and helped us to pack 5,006 boxes! Your generosity of time and finances were critical in making this happen.

The Samaritan’s Purse project Operation Christmas Child collects shoebox gifts—filled with fun toys, school supplies and hygiene items—and delivers them to children in need around the world to demonstrate God’s love in a tangible way.

For many of these children, the gift-filled shoebox is the first gift they have ever received. Since 1993, Operation Christmas Child, the world’s largest Christmas project of its kind, has collected and delivered more than 220 million shoebox gifts to children in more than 160 countries and territories.

In order to keep track of all the packed shoeboxes, we would love to have you complete this form here when you have turned in your shoeboxes.

If you still have any questions about the program after viewing the links below, please contact occinfo@samaritan.org.

2025 Completion Form

Order Materials

Visit Operation Christmas Child’s Resources and Ideas Hub (US) or visit the Operation Christmas Child Canada page.
Receive FREE materials (US) or FREE materials (CAN)
Order preprinted shoeboxes (US) or preprinted shoeboxes (CAN) to fill with gifts
Download videos to show to your club

Pack and Assemble

Consider hosting a packing party for one of your Blessing Nights, maybe during September or October. Set a goal for your club and start collecting today!
Collect shoeboxes or plastic containers and fill them with gender- and age-appropriate items. If you wrap your shoebox, be sure to wrap the lid separately from the rest of the box.
Learn how to pack a shoebox (US) or Learn how to pack a shoebox (CAN).
Use the step-by-step guide to customize your packing party experience and to order free materials.

Cover Ministry Costs

Make a donation for each shoebox you prepare to help cover shipping and program expenses.
If you give online through Follow Your Box (US), you can discover the destination of your shoebox gift.

Drop Off

Place a rubber band around each shoebox and bring them to one of nearly 5,000 drop-off locations open during National Collection Week, the third week in November.
Make sure to indicate that you’re with GEMS Girls’ Clubs when you fill out the drop-off log.

Host A Guest Speaker

Contact your Operation Christmas Child regional office (US) to be put in contact with potential speakers, including local volunteers, youth who helped deliver shoebox gifts, and even shoebox recipients.
This could be a great option to include in a Blessing Night!

Share on Social Media With Operation Christmas Child

Post photos of your club participating in Operation Christmas Child to our social media using the hashtags #ipackedashoebox #GEMSblessing

Helpful Links

How to Pack a Shoebox (US) or Pack a Shoebox (CAN).
Find your nearest drop-off location (US) or Drop-off Locations (CAN).
Follow Your Box (US).
Children’s resource page (best for girls 10 and under)
Family & Children’s Resources (US) or Children’s Resources (CAN)
Project Leader Page

2025 Completion Form Operation Christmas Child