Stuffing Shoe-boxes!

First Presbyterian Church invited our Rays to assist with Operation Christmas Child, a wonderful organization that provides shoe boxes full of useful and fun gifts for children in need overseas. The boxes are filled to the brim with small toys, soap and toiletries, pencils and paper, art supplies, puzzles, cups, stuffed animals and a bag to carry their things with. I remember stuffing shoeboxes as a child with my own church. It was something I looked forward to each holiday season, so seeing the Rays enjoy this activity was especially nostalgic for me!

When we arrived at FPC, there were long tables full of all sorts of items for the boxes, set up assembly line style. The Rays listened closely to the instructions from the church volunteers who were assisting with this project, paying close attention to the tips about maximizing space and items in their boxes.

They were instructed to fill their boxes to the brim and to add stickers to the lid as the finishing touch to make them extra special. Once the Rays began working they were efficient and determined. They stuffed their boxes and had great fun adding stickers and then stacking the finished product. Their eyes lit up each time they’d add a box to the finished stack, some even insisted on counting their progress!

In total our Rays stuffed over 90 boxes and the church members who volunteered gave them such kind compliments about their work ethic! They were all very proud of themselves and excited for the children who would receive these gifts packed with love.

Thank you FPC for inviting us to participate in such a wonderful project! It was a day to remember!