Operation Christmas Child~ Troop Service Project

Last year our troop participated in Operation Christmas Child (OCC) for the first time. The girls' hearts were positively touched by this project as they thought about the different children that would be receiving the Christmas gift boxes they prepared. (Check out THIS BLOG POST for last year's OCC project)

When we began this year's troop goal setting in July, almost every returning Girl Scout remarked they would like to participate in Operation Christmas Child again. We learned a lot from our first time participating last year and hope to actually get the "tracking" (done right this year) for each package we send. We will also include a picture of the Girl Scout Troop with a special note to the child receiving the gift.

Please take time to view the short videos at the end of this post with your Girl Scout to get an idea what type of items to help your Girl Scout purchase (you may also refer to the information sheet your Girl Scout brought home from the meeting). The below videos will also help you know what we'll be doing at our next troop meeting mid-month (prior to awards) to earn our "Operation Christmas Child 2010" Patch. (below)

WHAT YOUR GIRL SCOUT NEEDS TO DO:

• Choose 2-5 items appropriate for the gender and age of the child your daughter drew from the basket at the troop meeting (ex: BOY 2-4 years old).
• Purchase your gift items in the next couple weeks. The Dollar Store is a great place to find fun, affordable gifts. WE ARE NOT ASKING YOU TO FILL AN ENTIRE BOX... JUST BRING A FEW ITEMS TO DONATE.
• Bring gift items to next troop meeting mid-month.

That's all~ easy as that! As a troop, we will do the rest. The girls will COLLECTIVELY COMBINE their items in shoe boxes to fill a gift box for the gender and age group designated. Our goal is to fill at least one box per gender and age category. GIRLS age groups 2-4, 5-9, and 10-14; BOYS age groups 2-4, 5-9, and 10-14.

If you have any questions about Operation Christmas Child, feel free to contact Troop leader Teri. You may also visit The Samaritans Purse website for more information.