Since 1993, OCC has been sending shoebox gifts all around the world. Millions of shoeboxes, filled with gifts of toys, hygiene items, school supplies, and other necessities, along with the Gospel message of Jesus Christ, are processed in eight sites across the U.S. to send to orphans, war torn countries, and hurting children all over our world.

The Gospel message has been translated in over 80 different languages. Millions of children are hearing the Good News of Jesus Christ for the very first time, and many of them are coming to know Him as their Lord and Savior — through a simple shoebox gift.

Forty people — teens and adults — from the U.P. and friends of the family, traveled to Minneapolis, to work a long but prosperous day at the OCC Processing Center on Dec. 1. Every year, a group of Yoopers travel there to help sort through the shoeboxes to make sure that appropriate items are being sent, and boxes are filled, shipping money is removed (a $9 donation per shoebox requested), and box them in cartons to make their way around the world. This year, the boxes processed by the group are going to Namibia, Africa

8,950 shoeboxes were from the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. These boxes were transported to Boon, N.C. The U.P. shoeboxes will be going to Tanzania and Ghana this year.

Courtesy photo U.P. residents work at the Operation Christmas Child Processing Center in Minneapolis Minn.

The shoebox comes with a booklet introducing children to Jesus, along with an invitation to return for twelve lessons, “The Greatest Journey.” The lessons are like a Vacation Bible School or Sunday School curriculum, in the child’s native language.

The ministry is a way to be a missionary right from your home. In fact, you can go to www.samaritanspurse.org/OCC and “Build A Box” right online — without leaving your computer — all year long.

Anyone who has already donated a box can click on “Follow Your Box” to find out exactly where their box is going and pay for the shipping on line.

Coordinators are would like to thank all who donated shoeboxes, and give a special thank you to the group who went to Minneapolis. There are still a couple weeks if anyone is interested in helping in Minneapolis. For more information, call Karen at 612-359-7025 Ext. 81769.

Any questions? Please feel free to contact LuAnn Lindquist, OCC Logistics Coordinator and Administrative Assistant for the U.P. of Michigan, at lululindquist54@gmail.com or call 280-3584. Alternatively, call Carla Irving at 428-1631 or Frank Royer at 399-2893 for more information.

Check out the website at www.samaritanspurse.org/OCC.