Operation Christmas Child

Select a Shoe Box

Use a regular-sized shoe box or pliable plastic box. If wrapping your shoe box, please wrap the lid separately.

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.

Fill your shoe box

Fill your shoe box with a well-balanced variety of items from the following categories:

• School Supplies - Items such as pencils, pens, pencil crayons, note pads, and picture books
• Toys & Other Gifts - Items such as stuffed animals, small musical instruments, hair clips, toy jewelry, t-shirts, socks, and candy (loose, individually wrapped hard candy in a sealable bag)
• Hygiene Items - Please place soap in a sealable bag
• Personal Note - Include a personal note and/or a photo in your shoe box (not inside the donation envelope)

DO NOT INCLUDE:

• Toothpaste (due to customs regulations)
• Food and any chewy, crumbly, or soft candy: Including gum (due to customs regulations)
• Used items (due to customs regulations)
• Playing cards
• Liquids or items that could leak, melt, freeze, or break – Shampoo, creams, lip balm, bath gels, mirrors, or glass, etc. (these can damage other items in the shoe box).
• Items that can scare or harm a child – War-related toys, knives, and toy guns, etc.

Make your Donation

Please donate a minimum of $7 for each shoe box you prepare to help cover project costs,  including shipping. Simply make your donation online or place a cheque or cash donation in an envelope inside your shoe box.

Drop off your shoe box(es)

There are hundreds of drop-off locations across Canada.  You can drop your shoe box(es) off on Sundays between 9am and 1pm at Southwinds Church, Auburn Bay House, 100 Auburn Bay Blvd SE, Calgary, or seven days a week at Lake Chaparral Recreation Centre, 225 Chaparral Drive SE, Calgary.