Written by Gina Brooks. Media added by Sean McFarland.
Last Tuesday night, Greenville Student Outreach hosted a packing event for the Organization Operation Christmas Child (OCC). OCC is an organization that gives Christmas presents packaged in shoeboxes to needy children around the world. The categories for toys to put in the boxes are something to love, something for school, something to wear, something to play with, something for personal hygiene, and something special. The types of items in each category depend on the age and gender of the child intended. Children are split up into three age levels: 2-4, 5-9, and 10-14.
Our event packaged fifty boxes all together. 25 were intended for the 5-9 category, and the other was for 10-14. They were split pretty evenly between boy and girl boxes. Some of the items included for those in the 5-9 year old category were teddy bears, stickers, and sparkly pencils. To meet the hygiene requirement, girls received sparkly barrettes and boys got awesome Avengers or Spiderman soap.
For the children in the 10-14 yr old category, presents were a bit more difficult. The girls still got some sort of stuffed animal for their “something to love,” but we figured boys that age would not want a stuffed animal, so we got them footballs. They got pencils as well, but for their “special” plaything, they all received jump ropes. We hoped that the children would be able to exercise as well as play together with these toys.
There were quite a few guests at this event, including both men and women. Guests were treated to snacks and the movie Polar Express, which they watched on the big screen in LaDue when we were finished packing. The event was a great success and we hope that the children enjoy their presents!
Watch as Duck Commander’s Uncle Si Robertson learns how to pack an Operation Christmas Child shoebox.
Video by SamaritansPurseVideo
