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| Pleasant Grove collected 56 shoe boxes in 2016! |
We fill boxes for needy children once a year and we do it for a Family Home Evening in November. We are members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints but love that this other religion does this Humanitarian Service every year and we fully support people who love Jesus and want to spread the love.
Big Daddy's Pizza is $3.99 every Monday night here in Pleasant Grove, so that's what we do for FHE, eat Pizza and talk about a lesson. (Family Traditions Tip: When our boys move out and go on their missions or school or whenever they aren't with us, I want them to know we are eating Pizza, having fun and having FHE on Monday nights, I hope that Monday nights will hold good memories for them someday and will encourage them to do the same.) Anyways, we have dinner while we watched these videos to save time because the shopping will take longer than you think. Remember...kids get distracted or you might get someone OCD like me who needs to find everything with the same theme and take wayyyy longer than is necessary. LOL
Purpose: Encourage family to serve.
Song: Hymnal 219 "Because I Have Been Given Much"
Scripture: Mosiah 2:17
"And behold, I tell you these things that ye may learn wisdom; that ye may learn that when ye are in the service of your fellow beings ye are only in the service of your God."
Yes, I know this is a program run by another church. We are members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints but love love love that this other religion does this Humanitarian Service every year and we fully support people who love Jesus and want to spread His love.
Watch:
Watch:
What is OCC? Video: (I get emotional every time!)
Super funny "How to pack a box" video (might need to watch it twice cause it really is cute and funny):
https://youtu.be/ReroclNA7eU
I recommend you at least watch 1 video of Operation Christmas Child Shoe Box Recipients. So touching! Click here.
I recommend you at least watch 1 video of Operation Christmas Child Shoe Box Recipients. So touching! Click here.
Activity: Get shoeboxes (you can order custom boxes from OCC or just use your own shoe boxes!) and go to Walmart or your local EVERYTHING store to fill them. Could go to Dollar store too but just easier to go to one store, because for us the WOW item needs to be better than the Dollar store, but I bet the rest of the stuff could be easily purchased at the Dollar. Let the kids scan the items, it takes time but is so fun for them, well at least for our boys. I have to remind myself several times to smile and be happy while the kids watch us serve, because I don't want them to have a bad experience.
Recap:
Our boys have a hard time just focusing on the gifts they were giving and possibly played with and begged for a few toys themselves. We kept reminding them to focus on what they think a child who has nothing would want. They did really well and didn't cry or have a fit when leaving so it was a success!
Add a Picture & Write a Letter!
Then we came home, fit the items in each box. Dad's idea was to take a quick polaroid of ourselves holding the boxes for the kids. Since it was passed their bedtimes, we decided to write a letter to them on another night this week.
Print Shipping Labels!
Find a local Drop Off! During National Collection Week!
If you live in Pleasant Grove, Utah just drop it off at our house. ;) Or you can also Click here to find a drop off location near you.
TIP for older kids: We didn't give our kids a budget this year (should have done it for the 8yr old but then brother would have gotten confused) but if your kids are older... I think it'd be fun to give them a budget for their boxes and let them figure out what they think can fit inside the box and within budget so that you don't have to keep reminding them that you can't afford something. It keeps accountability on them and not make you the bad guy. If they want to have more budget you can also tell them they can donate their own funds for the box they are filling. Helps with math, money and budgeting skills. Which we all need!
31+ Ideas on what can go into a shoebox!
These were the boxes filled by our awesome friends, neighbors and residents of Pleasant Grove. They did such a great job!!!
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