It is time to start thinking Christmas! The weather might not be sending your mind in that direction but it is time to think about packing a shoebox for Operation Christmas Child.

Start with a regular size shoebox, decide which age group you want your box to be for (boy or girl ages 2 to 4, 5 to 9 or 10 to 14). Then get some school supplies, hygiene items such as soap and a washcloth, simple crafts, games and toys, socks, flip-flops or shoes and maybe even clothes. The box should be level full and every box can be different. Children love soccer balls (deflated with a pump included) and most especially a photo of you and a personal note. Lastly, include $10 to cover travel, "The Greatest Gift" booklet in their own language that they receive with the shoebox and the training of local people to lead the outreach event. Finished boxes can be dropped off at Harvest Christian Church in Superior the week of Nov. 12.

The purpose of the shoebox is to let the child know they are loved, which in turn opens their heart to Jesus' love. After the shoebox event, the children can attend a 12-week program to learn more about Jesus if they want to. Each shoebox can impact 8 to 10 people because the child who receives it shares what he learns with his parents, brothers, sisters and friends.

Our area has also been helping with the program by supplying pallets for loading the shoeboxes on the trucks. A few of the pallets need a little repair such as replacing a board or tightening one. Virgil Schultz could use your help with that. The photo above is a load of 516 pallets which was shipped to Aurora, Illinois, on Aug. 15. The cases of shoeboxes are stacked on the pallets for loading. Then the pallets remain at the processing center and are used over and over all season.

Shoeboxes from central Nebraska are shipped to Denver for processing where they are checked for customs compliance. Most of our shoeboxes are shipped to somewhere in South America.

A child receives a shoebox only once in his lifetime. The processing center uses around 300 volunteers during each shift beginning Nov. 20 through Dec. 15. It is an awesome experience to see all those shoeboxes and help them get to their destination. It takes a lot of volunteers to make that happen. If you are interested in volunteering at a processing center or have any questions, contact Charlene Schultz at (402) 364-3149.

For more information check out the Samaritan's Purse website at Samaritan's Purse.org.