** Boxes are due Sunday,November 15** Join us to help a needy child this Christmas through Operation Christmas Child.  HBC is asking members and friends to pack a shoebox with small items to help little ones. 

Operation Christmas Child brings joy and hope to children in desperate situations around the world through gift-filled shoe boxes and the Good News of God's love. Since 1993, more than 61 million shoe boxes have been packed, shipped, and delivered across the globe. People of all ages can be involved in this simple, hands-on missions project while focusing on the true meaning of Christmas-Jesus Christ.

Preparing a shoe box is easy! 

1.  Shoe Box
Use an empty, standard size shoe box or a similar sized plastic container.  You can wrap the box (lid must be wrapped separately) but wrapping is not required.  Most importantly, pray for the child who will receive your gift.

2.  Boy or Girl?
Determine whether your gift will be for a boy or a girl, and the child's age category: 2-4, 5-9, or 10-14. You can print out the appropriate boy/girl label by downloading the artwork at http://www.samaritanspurse.org/ or get labels at the church office. Mark the correct age category on the label to the top of your box.

3. Fill the box with a variety of gifts that will bring delight to a child. Such as:

TOYS
small cars, balls, dolls, stuffed animals, kazoos, harmonicas, yo-yos, jump ropes, small Etch A Sketch®, toys that light up or make noise (with extra batteries), Slinky®, etc.
SCHOOL SUPPLIES
pens, pencils and sharpener, crayons or markers, stamps and ink pad sets, writing pads or paper, solar calculators, coloring and picture books, etc.
HYGIENE ITEMS
toothbrush, toothpaste, mild bar soap (in a plastic bag), comb, washcloth, etc.
OTHER
Hard candy and lollipops (please double bag all candy), mints, gum, T-shirts, socks, ball caps; sunglasses, hair clips, toy jewelry, watches, flashlights (with extra batteries)
A PERSONAL NOTE
In a separate envelope, you may enclose a note to the child and a photo of yourself or your family. (If you include your name and address, the child may write back.)
DO NOT INCLUDE:
Used or damaged items; war-related items such as toy guns, knives or military figures; chocolate or food; out-of-date candy; liquids or lotions; medications or vitamins; breakable items such as snowglobes or glass containers; aerosol cans

4. Include your donation
Please donate $7 for each shoe box you prepare to help cover shipping and other project costs.  You can write a check to Samaritan's Purse and place it in an envelope on top of the gift items inside your box.  If you are preparing more than one shoe box, please make one combined donation.

5. Drop Off
Place a rubber band around each closed shoe box and drop it off at the church office (1740 Forest Drive) by November 15.

If you have any questions, please call the office at 410-263-6680.  For more information on Operation Christmas Child, see their web site at www.samaritanspurse.org