Back to school shopping: Remember Operation Christmas Child and Christmas toy donations

Are you looking for a nifty charity to donate toys to this Christmas? Why not explore Samaritan's Purse Operation Christmas Child. This group collects Christmas shoeboxes filled with with gifts for needy kids around the world. To participate, get a shoebox and fill it with toys, school supplies, articles of clothing, personal care products, candy, books and other little gifts. Drop it off at one of the locations here or mail it in.

We've been doing this as a family since it started in 1993. We shop back to school sales for pencils, glue sticks, notebooks, markers, crayons, scissors, pens, activity booklets, coloring books and craft sets.  We fill our boxes with small backpacks, cuddle toys, hair accessories, toy cars, small brush and comb, wash cloth, energy bars, powdered vitamin drink, prayer cards, jewelry, sunglasses, socks and T-shirt. Shopping sales, especially back-to-school, I was able to get all these items for about $12-$15 per box. 2017 shoe boxes are due Nov. 13 to Nov. 20 and drop-off locations are listed on the website.

Don't forget to pick up extra school supplies at back to school sales to donate to those in need. 

Time to Think Samaritan's Purse Operation Christmas Child

Back to School sales are a great time to stock up on stocking stuffers for Christmas. They're great sources for cheap gifts for holiday toy donations. Looking for a good children's charity try Operation Christmas Child from Samaritans Purse. This group collects shoeboxes of Christmas presents for needy kids. To participate, fill shoeboxes with toys, school supplies, articles of clothing, personal care products, candy, books. The website lists suggestions and what to avoid (breakables, liquids, war toys). Print a shipping label from website and indicate age and gender the box is for. Include $7 donation for shipping (a pretty fair deal considering weight and goods shipped). Boxes are due Nov. 18-25 and drop-off locations listed on the website.  Best Childrens Charities for Holiday Toy Drives Operation Christmas Child

Lenten and Easter Almsgiving Activity

As Catholic homeschoolers education focused around the liturgical year in our family. Holy Week is the pinnacle of the church year. We practice lenten virtues of prayer, fasting and almsgiving, in solidarity with our Lord and in preparation for our Easter celebration. In our homeschool career, we explored many avenues of sacrifice and service. One simple activity became very meaningful. We are fortunate to live near several mission-type sites which provide immediate care and help to those in need. Our church twins with a parish in Haiti. Many Staples outlets gather school supplies. Using these resources we made lenten care kits.Lenten and Easter Activity 

Advent Almsgiving, Service Project for all Ideologies

If we're not careful Christmas ends up being more about receiving than giving, with adults as much as kids. It's not that kids are so selfish, it's that marketing campaigns target children and bombard them with images of thousands of 'must-have' toys, gadgets and goodies. Who can blame kids for wanting all that cool stuff? To say a child is selfish is to state an obvious, but not necessarily negative, fact of childhood. Being self-centered is how they learn to care for and protect themselves. But excessive selfishness is taught, not inherent. So do how do we teach empathy? By telling kids not to want things? Nope--shaming is unhealthy. It's also counterproductive. Better to teach positive, proactive sharing and caring.  Here's a printable advent almsgiving activity. And you don't have to be Catholic or Christian to observe advent virtues. I have friends in every faith group and ideology--Jewish, Muslim, Atheist, Buddhist, Wiccan, Bahai, Sikh, Hindu, animist--all practice similar acts of mercy and charity. This can activity can be used with children, no matter what their family creed. Advent Giving

First person: How I Live Simply that Others May Simply Live

A Month of Money Saving Penny-Pinching Tips One of the things I take pleasure in during the holidays is giving. No matter how cash-strapped we are, we still live by the "pay it forward" motto. We tip generously and share. I don't say this to brag. Not at all. I say this in thanks to God for allowing us the joy and privilege of giving. This year, I was able donate about $300 to those in need. It felt good. How do I do it? By living simply that others may simply live. Penny pinching and saving money has been likened to building a dam. The large holes are obvious. The small crevices are less noticeable, but if left to slowly leak, will eat up funds quickly. Saving money means I have more money to share with others. In these times when lawmakers are cutting more social safety networks and taking tax benefits form the working middle class, these tips are even more cogent. Here's a fortnight of budget repairs to prevent financial leaks. Read more...

Parents Benefit Giving, Receiving Operation Christmas Child Shoe Boxes

Parents Benefit from Giving, Receiving Operation Christmas Child Shoe Boxes For some parents, the holidays represent more poverty and struggle. For others, it's a time to reach out and share. Here's how Operation Christmas Child helps parents in need and those with resources to share. Read more...

'One Warm Coat' Drive Begins

'One Warm Coat' Provides a Winter Necessity for Children, Adults For many families, winter poses especially serious financial problems. Added fuel costs, vehicle and home maintenance and other expenses drain a family's budget. Sometimes, the budget just won't stretch to cover winter clothing. Every winter, thousands suffer for want of a something that many take for granted: a warm winter coat. One Warm Coat is gearing up for the 2011-2012 winter season. Read more...

Mental and Emotional Health Resources for Earthquake, Oil Spill Disaster Victims

Mental and Emotional Health Resources for Disaster Victims
The first concern in any emergency or disaster is, of course, physical safety. But what about emotional and mental health? Here are free resources from the APA and FEMA for families in crisis and disaster victims. Read more.

Best Gifts to Fill Operation Christmas Child Boxes

Best Gifts to Fill Your Samaritan's Purse Operation Christmas Child Box
Looking for a great Christmas giving opportunity? Operation Christmas Child is a charitable giving outreach ministry of Samaritan's Purse. Each year OCC ships thousands of boxes children around the world. Here's a list gift suggestions to fill your box.
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Best Toys and Gifts for Toy Drives and Toys for Tots

Best Toys to Donate for Toys for Tots and Giving Tree Childrens Christmas Gift Drive
One of my favorite parts of Christmas is choosing gifts for the Marines Toys for Tots drive and church missions Giving Tree childrens gifts. Sometimes it's difficult to know what kind of gift to choose. Here are some considerations to help.
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Royal Oak SOCH 'Spread the Laughs' Comedy Fundraiser with Mark Green

SOCH 'Spread the Laughs V' Homeless Shelter Fundraiser with Mike Green
South Oakland Citizens for the Homeless (SOCH) presents 'Spread the Laughs V' at Mark Ridley's Comedy Castle in Royal Oak, MI. $30 ticket price includes buffet dinner and comedy of Mark Green, Las Vegas Comedy Festival's 2007 Best Male Entertainer.
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