2024 Thursday — Pack a Shoebox

The church we are attending is participating in the “Christmas Child Pack a Shoebox” program. This morning I attended the women’s BSF that I have been involved with since February 2022. At the beginning of our time together, we all meet; then we divide into two smaller groups.

So in our big group session I was looking right at the first group of boxes that have been filled and returned. One couple filled those 15 boxes — one box in honor of each one of their 15 grandkids. Mr. Fun & I are light weights; we’re filling one box for each of us — a total of two. We’re rethinking that.

Years ago we had the privilege of listening to a young man who had received one of these boxes when he was a young kid. I’ve never forgotten what he told our small visiting group that wanted to see the processing center. He told us his little Christmas box had many wonderful things . . . a few small toys, crayons, a pair of socks, but the most prized item in that box was a washcloth. Then he explained how he’d never had one. He gave me a whole new appreciation for a simple terry cloth square of material that a young child could use to clean his face. My perspective did a serious recalibration. My desire to fill those boxes with purpose and meaning increased.

So I do not flippantly fill a Christmas Box. Packing quality items that will last is the goal. Some suggested items are: toothbrushes, socks, combs, hairbrushes, pens, pencils, sharpeners, crayons, markers, notebooks, paper, coloring books, picture books, solar calculators, sunglasses, flashlights, dolls, stuffed animals, shoes, toy cars, jump ropes and yo-yos, and toys that light up and make noise (with extra batteries). They also provide a helpful list of what not to include. Kids all around the globe receive these gift boxes and for some kids it may be the only gift he or she receives.

Rosie (& Mr. Fun), aka Carol
and Chloe & Mitzi too!