Christmas Shoeboxes

Hi Friends,

It’s that time of year again…time to start planning the Christmas shoebox ministry for the kids on the reservations. For the past three years you really stepped up to the plate by providing gifts for many children on 4 reservations! I don’t know if you realize just how much these shoeboxes impact our work on these reservations. It helps open doors that would otherwise remain closed. Because of this, I would like to ask you to pray about contributing to this ministry again.

I’ve said before that I never want to take away from another ministry…so I am asking that if your church already supports another shoebox ministry, that you pray and see if God leads you to support this ministry to our Native Americans as well.  Last year some of the churches who participated in a well known Shoebox Ministry and Mission Ventures simply split the number they sent  to each ministry, while others just added an additional 25 or so to the Native American Ministry.

Some churches didn’t participate as a whole but a Sunday School class, Bible Study or WMU, etc. chose to participate. Whatever you can do would be very appreciated. 

Below you will find the instructions for filling the boxes.  Please also notice that the churches or individuals are responsible for shipping the boxes to the assigned reservation.

If you decide to participate in this ministry please contact me at terrytanner777@gmail.com  by October 1st to let me know so that I can plan accordingly.

As soon as I have an account of everyone who is participating I will send another email with instructions on where to send the boxes. I definitely want to cover the Colville Reservation in Washington State and the Choctaw Reservation in Mississippi. I am hoping to send to the Cheyenne River Reservation again and possibly the Hoopa Reservation in California. 

I realize how much shipping costs are and how much time is involved in putting something like this together so let me thank you in advance for your willingness to be a part of this.

SHOEBOX INSTRUCTIONS:

If plastic boxes are used please wrap them in LOTS of bubble wrap before shipping (we had problems with broken boxes last year). Each church or individual is responsible for shipping the boxes to the exact location. You will have to use UPS or FedEx….not the postal service. I will inform you of the final shipping place and date before October 31st. The final shipping date is November 30. 

• Use an empty shoe box (standard size, please) or a small plastic container.
• You can wrap the box (lid separately), but wrapping is not required.
• Most importantly, pray for the child who will receive your gift.

• Determine whether your gift will be for a boy or a girl, and the child’s age category: Newborn-1, 2-4, 5-9, 10-14.
• Print out the appropriate boy/girl label by contacting me at terrytanner777@gmail.com
• Mark the correct age category on the label, and tape the label to the top of your box.

• Fill the box with a variety of gifts that will bring delight to a child.
• Use the gift ideas provided here or come up with some of your own.
• Please be sure to include a BIBLE and a NOTE in your box.

GIFT IDEAS:

TOYS:  small cars, balls, dolls, stuffed animals, kazoos, harmonicas, yo-yos, jump ropes, small Etch A Sketch, toys that light up or make noise (with extra batteries), Slinky, etc.

SCHOOL & ART SUPPLIES:    pens, pencils and sharpener, crayons or markers, stamps and ink pad sets, writing pads or paper, solar calculators, coloring and picture books, sidewalk chalk, etc.

HYGIENE ITEMS:  No Hygiene Items

OTHER:  Hard candy and lollipops (please double bag all candy), mints, gum, ball caps; sunglasses, hair clips, toy jewelry, watches, flashlights (with extra batteries), BIBLE, etc.

A PERSONAL NOTE:  In a separate envelope, you may enclose a note to the child and a photo of yourself or your family. (If you include your name and address, the child may write back.)

DO NOT INCLUDE:  Used or damaged items;  chocolate or food; liquids or lotions; medications or vitamins; breakable items such as snow-globes or glass containers; aerosol cans; clothing; hygiene items.