I know we just go through handing out candy and carving jack-o-lanterns for Halloween.  But, Operation Christmas Child needs volunteers right now.  The non-profit group Samaritan's Purse organizes the Operation Christmas Child program to help get much needed supplies to children in need all over the world.  Their goal this year is to fill 8800 shoe boxes and send them to children in war-torn countries, poverty-stricken communities or places affected by natural disaster. 

How to Pack Your Own Shoe Box:

1. Use an empty shoe box or shoe box size plastic container.  Wrapping is optional.
2. Decide whether it's for a boy or girl or a particular age group (2-4, 5-9 or 10-14).  Print the appropriate label from the Operation Christmas Child website, mark the pertinent info on the label and tape the label to the top of the box.
3. Fill shoe box with small toys, school supplies, hygiene items (toothbrush, toothpaste, comb, soap, etc), hard candy (double bagged), gum, T-shirts, socks, sunglasses, ball caps, watches, etc. and a personal note with a photo of your family (if you want).  You may want to include your address so the child can send you a thank you note.
4. Please include a $7 donation in each box to help cover shipping costs as well as other programs Operation Christmas Child helps with.  If you include a check, make it out to Samaritan's Purse with OCC on the memo line.  If you use the EZ Give Program, you can make your donation online.  The EZ Give program will allow you to print up a receipt that you can include to let Samaritan's Purse know that you paid online.  It also gives you a tracking number that will allow you to see exactly where your shoe box ends up.
5. Put a rubber band around each shoe box and drop off at a collection center near you during November 15-23, 2009.

Volunteers are needed to help organize and ship all the shoe boxes that are received in the Reno area.  For more information on how you can help, please call 714-432-7030 or visit the Samaritan's Purse website.  Every little bit helps.

Charlene Hamilton, your Reno relocation specialist