Blog

'Tis the season of giving, and many classrooms did just that as part of a special outreach project that happened recently with Kindergarten and grades 1st, 5th & 6th! Through the organization of Samaritan’s Purse, our students participated in Operation Christmas Child (OCC), where students fill an empty shoebox full of gifts that will be transported to children all around the world who are in need. Not only will they receive a box full of new items such as toys, stuffed animals, school supplies, & toothbrushes, but also included in each box is information about the wonderful news of Jesus in their very own language. Samaritan’s Purse also provides a discipleship program for these children to enroll in to know more about Jesus and to possibly be baptized.

First grade with their 6th grade buddies, met together to have a packing party. Each student was encouraged to bring 3–5 items to put in their collective shoebox. They first had to choose whether it would go to a girl or boy and what age. Then, with lots of excitement, students carefully packed their box together with care. Students could also include a fun information sheet about themselves and write their address in hopes of receiving a returned letter.

Kindergarten along with their 5th grade buddies chose to complete their shoeboxes at home with their families. Students were encouraged to go to the store with their families, and pick items out that they thought their boy or girl of choice would enjoy.

All shoeboxes were collected on Friday, November 22, and 60 boxes were counted between the classes mentioned above as well as 2 second-graders who wanted to complete one like their older siblings.  

Mrs. Trudeau took all 60 boxes in her van and dropped them off at the next stop of their journey, which was the Active Church located in Yucaipa. Here, volunteers take all the shoeboxes received locally and pack them in big cardboard boxes to be loaded up in a large truck trailer where they will continue to big distribution centers. The shoeboxes will carry on to be loaded on trucks, planes, & boats across the globe to be in the hands of a very lucky little boy or girl this Christmas.

Thank you to all our students and families who participated in this very special project. If you visit OCC’s website and click on “Follow Your Box”, you can enter your label code or email address, and it can tell you where it is in the world.

For those classrooms who did not participate in OCC, other projects were being completed throughout our campus, including making Thanksgiving baskets for Redlands Family Services. We were informed that 2 van loads of food have been delivered to many families in need.

What a blessing our students and families can make! Thank you. 

Learn more about Operation Christmas Child