Operation Christmas Child News

Living in Chicago’s Northwest Suburbs it’s easy to take things like toothbrushes and other simple toiletries for granted. But hygiene items are incredible treats for children living in harsh conditions.

Liquid soaps are not accepted, but bar soap is wonderful. Toothpaste cannot be included, but a child’s oral hygiene can still be improved by regular use of a toothbrush alone. Toothbrushes can only be accepted if they are in SEALED packing. That means if you buy a multi-pack of toothbrushes, please leave them packaged. But that’s ok - those toothbrushes may be all the entire family ever has.

Simply drop off your donations in the bin just outside of Fellowship Hall by the children’s ministries bulletin board. If you have any questions, please contact Trephina Bedell, tbedell@ilcp.org or 847-359-1549. More information on Operation Christmas Child can be found at
Immanuelpalatine.org/operation-christmas-child.
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The Operation Christmas Child (OCC) Item of the Month for August is school supplies! Back to school sales make August the perfect month to purchase quality school supplies at great prices. A child receives a shoebox only once in their ENTIRE life – let’s make these boxes great!

OCC School supply list:

• Rulers
• Pencils
• Crayola Crayons (24 count or smaller). Crayola crayons won’t melt when shipped overseas to warmer climates…other brands will.
• Colored Pencils
• Notebooks that will fit in a shoebox

Since savvy shoppers know that August is a fantastic month to find flip flops and summer clothes on sale, we’d like to remind everyone that we’re thrilled to collect all items year-round. There are a wide variety of clothing items appropriate for Operation Christmas Child (OCC) shoeboxes! For example:

• T-shirts – Shirts without writing, are best. English is not the primary language in many of the OCC countries and kids may not even understand what is written on their shirts. There’s also a culture gap.
• Shorts, especially those with elastic waistbands so they last and fit longer.
• Skirts, especially with elastic waistbands
• Hats
• Flip Flops/Shoes – These are especially important because shoes help kids who have to walk long distances to get to school or to get water from a well.
• Socks – These are key…it gets cold at night even though the days are hot.

Of course, WOW items, like a soccer ball with an air pump, are always needed.

Simply drop off your donations in the bin just outside of Fellowship Hall by the children’s ministries bulletin board. If you have any questions, please contact Trephina Bedell, tbedell@ilcp.org or 847-359-1549. More on information Operation Christmas Child can be found at Immanuelpalatine.org/operation-christmas-child.

July is a great time to purchase clothes on sale. Clothing can also be handmade. Either way, items should be new. A child receives a shoebox only once in their life – let’s make these boxes great!

There is a wide variety of clothing items appropriate for Operation Christmas Child (OCC) shoeboxes! For example:

• T-shirts – Shirts without writing are best. English is not the primary language in many of the OCC countries and kids may not even understand what is written on their shirts. There’s also a culture gap.
• Shorts, especially those with elastic waistbands so they last and fit longer.
• Skirts, especially with elastic waistbands
• Hats
• Socks – These are key…it gets cold at night even though the days are hot.
• Handmade “Pillowcase” Dresses
• Flip Flops/Shoes – These are especially important because shoes help kids who have to walk long distances to get to school or to get water from a well. In some parts of the world, children have to walk long distances to school. They must wear shoes and provide their own school supplies, or they cannot attend. If they don’t have shoes, they can’t go to school. Flip flops are an excellent way to provide shoes for a child. Because the sizing is more general, they can wear them a long time, even as their feet grow.