Spread some joy to children around the world…

Christmas is just around the corner and it is one my favorite times of the year.  Unfortunately, for many kids around the world the joy of having Santa bring some cheer may not necessarily be the case. I believe that every child in the world should be able to experience the excitement and wonderful feeling of Christmas, but I understand that it’s not necessarily a reality for all. That’s where I feel that all of us around the world can contribute and do our part–even if it’s just a small gesture.

The idea of putting together small packages for kids during Christmas time has always intrigued me; however, in the past  I just never knew how to approach this or what organization was available that would allow me the opportunity to help a child  feel that he or she  has not been forgotten about and someone in the world cares about them.

Last year as I was  randomly scrolling through Instagram, I stumbled upon  the page of a charity called “Operation Christmas Child.” I was so excited that I finally had found an organization that would give me the opportunity to fulfill my wish  and this year I decided to partake again.

The premise of Operation Christmas Child is that you fill a shoebox full of various items for either a boy or girl with the following age ranges:

• 2-4
• 5-9
• 10-14

Once you fill your shoebox with various items, whether it be essentials or little toys, you turn your shoeboxes in to various collection sites. I was surprised how close there was a collection site near my home! It made it super easy.

What’s actually pretty neat about this organization, is that for a small fee of $9  you can  track what country your shoebox ended up in! How cool is that!?! A lot of times with various charities, you never know how the donation you made was used or who was the gracious recipient. While you will not know who the child receiving the gift is, I find it pretty neat to find out what country the box ended up in. Last year, my boxes ended up in the Philippines. I am very excited to see where they end up this year!

For more information, please visit their website at:

https://www.samaritanspurse.org/operation-christmas-child/pack-a-shoe-box/

I find this to be such a small thing I can do and feel extremely fortunate to have the opportunity to do so. I hope that in the future years, I can continue to make even more boxes for more children across the world and  I also hope that whatever organization inspires you as well, to move forward and to give. We are all here to help each other and bring each other up.

And for the 5 children we made boxes for…..I pray that they continue to have blessings in their life and hope that this small gesture brought even an ounce of joy in their life.

Until next time…..

Bachigner XOXO,

Sandra

P.S. Here are some ideas that you can use for your own shoebox. These items are what I filled up my boxes this year. Most of the items below  are from Target (one of my favorite stores) or from the Dollar Tree (where you can find awesome things for such an affordable price)

When they are all done and ready to go…..

Written by sandra