Reminder: Operation Christmas Child

[Neeper]

Just a reminder there is only 4 days left to pack shoe boxes and drop them off at all Safeway locations. If you haven't made one before it's easy, and trust me. You will feel good about doing this. Just do it and brighten a child's day up .

I made my boxes with items all from the dollar store for less than $10 a box.

http://www.samaritan.ca/occ/how_do_I_pack_a_shoebox/

[Clarkey]

This is an example of a religious based group doing some good in the world.

[Azure]

Yes, yes it is.

[Jayems]

I once helped at a warehouse putting christmas boxes like those together one year... it really put into perspective how many people help and donate to this cause, and thats just 1 place, in 1 city.

Great cause.

[TheyCallMeBruce]

I've done the shoebox volunteer work before. Very rewarding.

However, some ppl are idiots and tend to donate crap into the shoeboxes...please don't pack used toothbrushes, half a sock, open pack of candy, or any useless item into the box.

[Mean Mr. Mustard]

I would have thought that packing things such as toothbrushes/toothpaste/mouthwash would be a great way to go considering the fact that prevent against some pretty crap diseases which eat the flesh out of ones mouth....

obviously not just that stuff - but some practical gifts and some fun kid gifts.... that is what I have done in the past. Oh and try to not get things that need batteries.

Edit: After clicking on the link they do recomend hygene products...

[TheyCallMeBruce]

Originally Posted by Mean Mr. Mustard

I would have thought that packing things such as toothbrushes/toothpaste/mouthwash would be a great way to go considering the fact that prevent against some pretty crap diseases which eat the flesh out of ones mouth....

obviously not just that stuff - but some practical gifts and some fun kid gifts.... that is what I have done in the past. Oh and try to not get things that need batteries.

Edit: After clicking on the link they do recomend hygene products...

Toothbrushes are fine, if they are unused. I've seen a lot of people pack used toothbrushes/toothpaste

[Mean Mr. Mustard]

It is called quality control. I am not sending crap toothbrushes overseas.

Yeah I didn't read used. You would have to be a serious ass to send a used toothbrush to anyone.

[TheyCallMeBruce]

Originally Posted by Mean Mr. Mustard

It is called quality control. I am not sending crap toothbrushes overseas.

Yeah I didn't read used. You would have to be a serious ass to send a used toothbrush to anyone.

We (the volunteers) ARE quality control. That's what I'm saying, from a volunteer standpoint, refrain from packing crap into the boxes.

[MacDougalbry]

Bah, humbug! I do realize that it gives people a warm fuzzy to donate physical items and actually put together these gifts themselves, but it would be way more efficient to send money and have these items bought in bulk and shipped directly over, or better yet, have the gifts sourced in the destination country and double the power of your gift by supporting their local economy... plus, they will have a better idea of what these kids actually need. (Like food, medicine, and school books.)

[Azure]

Originally Posted by MacDougalbry

Bah, humbug! I do realize that it gives people a warm fuzzy to donate physical items and actually put together these gifts themselves, but it would be way more efficient to send money and have these items bought in bulk and shipped directly over, or better yet, have the gifts sourced in the destination country and double the power of your gift by supporting their local economy... plus, they will have a better idea of what these kids actually need. (Like food, medicine, and school books.)

What exactly is wrong with sending a shoebox full of things I child could use?

You can donate money too?

Besides...how many organizations have asked for donations..then turned around and wasted the money..instead of actually putting it to use?