For my 40th birthday this year, I set a goal of filling/collecting at least 40 shoeboxes for Operation Christmas Child. I was so thankful to meet (and actually exceed) that goal, and I am grateful to those who contributed, both by donating money and/or items for boxes and by packing boxes themselves. I had hoped to turn in these boxes earlier, but life got a little busy, so it was the first week of December before they were officially dropped off. (I actually had a few more packed, but things were a little hectic on this particular day, and I decided to take just 40 boxes to represent my 40 years here on earth (so far). :)
Here are the shoeboxes stacked up in our dining room. I spent some time making sure they all were labeled and rubber-banded, etc., before loading them up. (Our chandelier makes weird shadows in the dining room, so photos taken in there can look a little odd.)
After meeting my MIL along the way (she had left her phone at our house the night before), I made my way to the OCC processing center. We are blessed to live in a metro area where there is a PC--not only does it provide some great volunteer opportunities, but also it means we have a longer window to drop off OCC shoeboxes locally. Yay! The PC is held at a warehouse, but the location changes each year (or most years) because the space is donated. This year, it is in Suwanee, which us up Interstate 85 from where we live.
Here I am with the 40 birthday boxes.
I also brought a couple of totes of filler items (with more to come).
While I was there, I was able to volunteer for a little bit before having to head back home to pick up the kids and get ready for our weekend trip to Charlotte. So fun--loved processing some boxes and seeing what wonderful gifts people have picked out for the children! I was particularly fond of the personal touches on a couple of shoeboxes that I came across.
Yay OCC! I love this project, and I am so thankful for the opportunity to be a participant.
Date: Friday, December 5, 2014