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\u201cWe encourage people to pack a \u2018wow\u2019 item in each box. It\u2019s that gift that when the child opens the box, they find a stuffed animal or something they\u2019ve never had before. We want to make the shoeboxes fun with toys like a slinky, yo-yos, or jacks \u2013 not just toys, but quality toys. People often think if they make it as cheap as possible, they can pack more shoeboxes. But for every child who gets a shoebox, they only get one in their lifetime, so we want those toys to be something that\u2019s going to last. We try to stress the importance of making the box fun. Make it quality, and don\u2019t pack it with air. We want that box so full that when you shake it, it doesn\u2019t make a noise,\u201d Hone explained.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Your area OCC invites you to partner with them in spreading the gospel. Here\u2019s how Hone shared these partnership opportunities:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWe need a team of prayer warriors who believe in the power of prayer and want to get involved. Their sole role is to pray for OCC, the ministry, the child who will receive the shoebox, the family of the child, the community, and the village. We need prayers for transportation, [and] for places to process these shoeboxes\u2014things like that need to be prayed over.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201c<\/em>We are praying for team members who will connect with local churches. The church relations team reaches out to churches in their community to tell them about OCC, [and] to walk alongside the project leaders at churches already participating, asking what resources they need. We need church relations teams because without them we can\u2019t reach the churches who don\u2019t know what OCC is.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cA shoebox is more than just a toy; it\u2019s a gospel opportunity. My goal is to involve organizations, sports teams, and groups like National Beta Clubs at the schools. Most students in Beta Clubs have to complete some type of community service, and OCC qualifies. It also qualifies for Tennessee Promise community service hours.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cThe urgency of the gospel is great. The children of the world need to hear the love and hope of Jesus Christ. The cool thing about OCC is that it\u2019s nondenominational. You don\u2019t have to be Methodist, Baptist, or Church of Christ. You don\u2019t even have to be associated with a church.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Never underestimate the impact of your gift, your time, and your prayers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n May every shoebox you see spark a hope for Operation Christmas Child! GN<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Area coordinator Tammy Hone has been packing supply-filled shoeboxes for kids for Operation Christmas Child for 15 years and counting. <\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4,"featured_media":974,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_et_pb_use_builder":"","_et_pb_old_content":"","_et_gb_content_width":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[4],"tags":[25],"class_list":["post-982","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-cover","tag-december"],"yoast_head":"\n