Operation Christmas Child

How much fun the girls and I have had filling shoeboxes for Operation Christmas Child done through Samaritan's Purse by Franklin Graham. Anyways, we filled our first shoebox when Em was two, and now we do 2 boxes, one for each to fill. We went to the store yesterday, and they were able to pick out some candy, a coloring book, etch a sketch and a toy. This morning we packed the boxes. They had soooo much fun saying "I hope my friend likes this" and surprisingly enough, Mo has not fought me to keep the baby doll she chose.
It is a fun tradition that we look forward to each year. I like it because it makes the children think outside of their box (no pun intended); I love the excitement they have doing it for a child they have never met; and Em is at an age that I can explain why these children need people like us to make their Christmas special. But try explaining why Santa won't be visiting them.......