Help us fill 200 Operation Christmas Child boxes this year!
Gift Box Donations Due Sunday, November 8
Completed Boxes Due November 15
The kids are back in school, and Christmas is around the corner! Hillcrest will be participating in Operation Christmas Child and will be collecting donations with the goal of filling 200 boxes. Bring donations to Hillcrest by November 8th or bring completed boxes by November 15th.
Shop for those “Wow” items like soccer balls, dolls, stuffed animals, Legos, cars/trucks, craft kits. and think in terms of boys/girls and multiple age groups: 2-4, 5-8 and 9-14.
Pick up extra school supplies and place them in the donation boxes at church: scissors, pencils, erasers, small notebooks, pens, crayons, colored pencils, markers, dry watercolors.
Grab small fun toys & games from the Dollar store: slinky, yo-yo’s, balls, stickers, magnets, matchbox cars, puzzles, etc.
Hygiene items like toothbrushes, combs/brushes, small mirrors, kid band aids, washcloth and nail clippers/files.
Clothing like T-shirts, hats, socks and gloves. Remember those age groups: 2-4, 5-8 and 9-14.
Donations will be used to purchase box contents or for shipping. Recommended shipping donation is $10/box. GIVE ONLINE HERE
Extra Details:
DEADLINE - Please bring donations to church and place in a donation box beginning September 27th through Nov 8th.
MONEY DONATIONS - Donate financially online or to Debbie Wuthnow or Mitzi Rader – supports shipping ($10/box) or to purchase box contents
WHAT TO BRING - Bring Wow items for Boys or Girls ages: 2-4, 5-8 and 9-14. Must be smaller than a shoe box!
WHAT NOT TO BRING - NO: liquids, soap, toothpaste, food or candy, or anything war or weapon related, including camouflage items; nothing used or damaged
Life Group requests:
As you bring Wow items for all ages/categories, we are asking each Life Group to focus on specific types of items to make sure we get a good distribution:
Rusch Life Group: Personal Care Items; Clothes & accessories
Murray Life Group: Games & Activities; Personal Care Items
Adult 4 Life Group: Toys; School Supplies
Victory Life Group: Toys; School Supplies
Global/Ingram Life Group: Personal Care Items; Clothes & accessories
Messinger Life Group: Toys; Games & Activities
Karm Life Group: Personal Care Items; Clothes & accessories
Waldo Life Group: Games & Activities; School Supplies
Spurck/Hanna Life Group: Toys; Games & Activities
FAQs:
Can I pack/bring my own box? YES! If you do so, please bring it to church by Nov. 15th. We will have some official cardboard boxes for pickup in the MPC during coffee fellowship beginning September 27.
What is a “WOW” gift? Isn’t it just a toy/game? A “WOW” gift is that special Christmas gift to the box recipient. It may be a doll, large toy car/truck, soccer ball & pump, Barbie, large stuffed animal, Erector or Lego set. See Suggested items here
What are donations used for? Primarily as a suggested donation to Samaritan’s Purse to cover shipping and other ministry added items, like The Greatest Gift Gospel booklet. ($10/box) It may also to purchase items to fill boxes.
What is Hillcrest’s goal? Our goal is 200 boxes.
Why do donations of toys, etc. need to be in earlier than boxes? Because Hillcrest will be filling our own boxes on Nov. 8th.
How can I just give money? GIVE ONLINE HERE or you can give to Debbie Wuthnow or Mitzi Rader.
I don’t like shopping. What does it cost to just have someone fill a box for me? The amount recommended by Samaritan’s Purse is $30 to fill and ship one box.
new this year:
Hillcrest will be an official dropoff location and will need individuals to serve just 2 hours for each day of National Collection week to receive boxes: Nov. 16–23, 2026. If you are interested in helping, email Mitzi Rader