For the last couple of years our homeschool group has stuffed shoe boxes for Operation Christmas Child. We chose this particular service project because it’s a simple one in which we can involve all the kids in our group, from the youngest to the oldest. It has always been my hope that, in addition to helping other children, this project would also help my children to realize how blessed they are and give them a heart to serve others.
I wasn’t sure that I was getting that point across this year as we were stuffing boxes and Megan kept asking for the toys and other goodies.
“Can I just have one of these,” she would plead. “There are so many.”
I continually reminded her that these were for other kids whose only Christmas gifts would be what was contained in this one box. And, she would move on to the next toy.
“Can I have one of those? Just one?”
Finally, I had an idea.
“Megan,” I said, “if you want this stuff so bad, you go get yourself a shoebox and fill it up. Put whatever you want in it and make sure it’s full.”
I had her attention now.
“Then, give it to me. I’ll wrap it up and put it under our tree and that can be your Christmas present this year. Whatever is in that box will be all you get for Christmas.”
That did it. She understood. I saw her whole face change and watched as she spent the rest of the packing time carefully selecting toys for each box.
It was a great experience for us all. I think, next year, we’re going to fill shoe boxes for Operation Christmas Child as a family, rather than with our homeschool group. I want to get each of my children two boxes, shortly after Christmas, and let them select items for the boxes, throughout the year. I think it may give the project more meaning if the kids are filling the boxes throughout the year with thoughts of a boy or girl their age in mind.
What service projects does your family do that seem to have made a big impact on your kids?
Kris is the sweet tea drinking, classically eclectic, slightly Charlotte Mason, homeschooling mom to three Weird, Unsocialized Homeschoolers.
Photo by Mr. Kris
No related posts.
{ 2 comments… read them below or add one }
Hi Kris! Next month, my homeschool group is meeting for an Around the World Day. Since it is the Christmas season, each family will be bringing a non-perishable food item, supermarket gift certificates or cash to donate to our local Metropolitan Ministries food shelter as well as sharing their country project. I will be taking a few of the kids with me to drop it off. Our group is mainly tweens and teens, and as you know, alot of kids this age are all about “me”. This is a great way to get them thinking of someone else! I’ll let you know how it goes!
Blessings,
Kim from Tampa
Harvey Happenings
We also do Operation Christmas Child. :-) Our favorite Christmas tradition in the past has been to take a child’s name from the Salvation Army Angel Tree. We always had my nephew choose a boy his age, so he could relate better to the child.
We then told him the child’s first name, and then declared that all things purchased that day were only for ****, so he knew not to ask for anything for himself. It was a lot of fun for all of us!
The last few years he has gotten into helping the elderly in our community instead, so now we focus on that. :-)