It's that time of year again...

National Collection Week (November 12-19) is less than a month away. Last year RBC sent over 180 boxes! This year our church's goal is 200 boxes. We can be part of OCC reaching 100 million children for Christ. Here's how you can help.

• Pack a shoebox or donate gift items for the boxes. Donated items should be placed in the OCC baskets by no later than Wednesday, November 7th.
• RBC's Packing Party is Wednesday, November 7th at 6:30pm. Join the fun. Sign-up sheet is on the bulletin board outside the Preschool Department.
• Don't forget to pray. Pray for each child who will receive these boxes, that they would respond in faith to the Gospel message being presented to them.

Follow Your Box

A donation of $7 helps cover OCC project expenses like shipping the boxes. There are two ways that you can provide this donation.

• Write a check to RBC and place it in the offering plate. Don't forget to write "OCC" in the memo.
• Go online to https://www.samaritanspurse.org/index.php/OCC/followyourbox/. Here you can make a donation using your debit or credit card. You also will be able to print a label to put on your box(es) that will track where they are being sent. For example, last year some of the boxes sent from RBC went to Jordan and Ghana. 

OCC is on Pinterest!

Operation Christmas Child is now on Pinterest! Find fun ideas for items to pack your shoes boxes with and much more. Check it out here.

Variety, Variety, Variety

When packing your box(es), remember to include a variety of items. For the child receiving your box, the new notebook and pencils you include can be just as much of a gift to them as the little doll you packed too. Below are a few categories of items to think about including in your box.

TOYS
Toys are always a sure way to put a smile a child's face. Small cars and balls are a good idea for boys and for girls dolls and jump ropes are great. Small musical instruments like harmonicas and flashlights(with extra batteries) are also fun to include in boxes for any child.

SCHOOL SUPPLIES
School supplies like pens, pencils and sharpener, crayons or markers, stamps and ink pad sets, writing pads or paper, solar calculators, and coloring and picture books are always popular with kids.

HYGIENE ITEMS
For many children receiving an OCC box, what we consider basic necessities is a gift to them. Be sure to include items like a toothbrush, toothpaste, mild bar soap (in a plastic bag), comb, washcloth, etc.

OTHER
Items like hard candy, lollipops, mints and gum are also nice to send in your box. Just remember not to send anything that can melt and to double bag all candy. Clothing items like T-shirts, socks, and ball caps; and accessories such as sunglasses, hair clips, toy jewelry, and watches can also be included.

Don't Forget to Pray

Prayer is a vital part of this OCC ministry. We need to be in prayer for the boxes being sent this year that those who receive them will see God’s love and have hearts open to the Good News of Jesus Christ.

Operation Christmas Child 2011 National Collection week is November 14-21. During this time Samaritan's Purse has put out a call to prayer. You can join with others praying by signing up on their website to pray during a specific time during the week. If you would like to do this just click here.

Send a Note

This year you might want to think about sending a personal note in your box(es). In a separate envelope, you can include a note and a photo of yourself or your family. If you include a prestamped envelope with your name and address, the child may write back.

This is just what happened when Juleen Edwards sent a note in her box 10 years ago. She received a thank you note back from a Eduardo, a boy from Honduras who had received her box, and the two began to write back and forth. Through these letters they became great friends and this year they got to meet for the first time! To read the full story click here.

Kids To get younger kids involved you can use the "About Me" printout provided on the Samaritan's Purse website. To print it out click here.

Helpful How to Pack a Shoebox Video

December

This month's suggested focus is on small stocking stuffer type items. At many stores you will be able to find small toys, hair brushes and accessories, lip balms etc. at excellent prices.

November

This month's suggested focus is on combs for boys and hair brushes for girls.

October

This month's suggested focus is on candy and socks. There will be a lot of candy sales this month so you will be able to get very good deals on it (remember to only get hard candies that will not melt). You can also get good bargains on socks by buying packs and splitting them.