Comments on: Charity Date http://thingstodofortwo.com/charity-date/ Things To Do For Two Wed, 01 Sep 2010 00:19:14 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.0.1 By: Chelsey http://thingstodofortwo.com/charity-date/comment-page-1/#comment-423 Chelsey Mon, 28 Jun 2010 05:18:55 +0000 http://thingstodofortwo.com/?p=405#comment-423 One year when there was a warehouse in my area, I volunteered for Operation Christmas Child. I worked at checking boxes and then taped them shut afterwards so it was known at the borders that they had been officially checked. We weren't allowed to remove anything from the boxes unless it was glass, war items, used items (seriously!), chocolate etc... Everything placed in the box by the person who filled it was kept in that specific box. Even if the age checked seemed incorrect to us based on the items inside we were supposed to honour the person's original wishes and keep it as it was. But, we could ADD additional items to emptier boxes to make them full. The year I volunteered Ty Beanie Babies had donated tons of beanie babies. An empty box would have a couple beanie babies added to it. A box that was full to the max didn't need anything else added! It was amazing to see first hand how things were done. I only wish there was still a warehouse location near me. Now the nearest is a couple days drive away! Each year my kids, 4 and 6 yrs old now, each get to fill a box for a child who is just their age. They love it (and I do too)! Thanks for spreading the word about his great organization! One year when there was a warehouse in my area, I volunteered for Operation Christmas Child. I worked at checking boxes and then taped them shut afterwards so it was known at the borders that they had been officially checked. We weren’t allowed to remove anything from the boxes unless it was glass, war items, used items (seriously!), chocolate etc… Everything placed in the box by the person who filled it was kept in that specific box. Even if the age checked seemed incorrect to us based on the items inside we were supposed to honour the person’s original wishes and keep it as it was.

But, we could ADD additional items to emptier boxes to make them full. The year I volunteered Ty Beanie Babies had donated tons of beanie babies. An empty box would have a couple beanie babies added to it. A box that was full to the max didn’t need anything else added!

It was amazing to see first hand how things were done. I only wish there was still a warehouse location near me. Now the nearest is a couple days drive away! Each year my kids, 4 and 6 yrs old now, each get to fill a box for a child who is just their age. They love it (and I do too)! Thanks for spreading the word about his great organization!

]]> By: Brad http://thingstodofortwo.com/charity-date/comment-page-1/#comment-103 Brad Thu, 29 Oct 2009 10:22:34 +0000 http://thingstodofortwo.com/?p=405#comment-103 Thanks for letting us know. As long as someone gets the gifts, that's all that really matters in the end. I hadn't heard of Angel Trees, sounds like a good idea. There are so many possibilities for helping people out, especially this time of year. Thanks for letting us know. As long as someone gets the gifts, that’s all that really matters in the end. I hadn’t heard of Angel Trees, sounds like a good idea. There are so many possibilities for helping people out, especially this time of year.

]]> By: Shannon Murray http://thingstodofortwo.com/charity-date/comment-page-1/#comment-102 Shannon Murray Thu, 29 Oct 2009 02:25:03 +0000 http://thingstodofortwo.com/?p=405#comment-102 Another great idea, you two! Not to be a downer, but I thought I'd let you know (and your blog readers) that Operation Christmas Child actually goes into each and every box before it gets to the kids to ensure that each box has the same amount of goodies. Unfortunately, this likely means that your unknown little boy won't be receiving all of this gifts (it does get better), but instead, you'll more likely be putting a smile on more than one boys face! The good news, there's not really any need to argue over what he'll like more or less because you're likely blessing his entire sibling family by filling a box full! :) Way to go! I too, have done this before & agree that the pre-shopping is the most fun, as you picture the look on the children's faces. One more thing, there are also opportunities to hand-deliver these gifts to the children overseas! Or, if you're looking for something based more in your community, there are "Angel Trees" that you can get involved in. What you do is you become involved in the life of a child who has a parent in prison during the Christmas Season... The father or mother of the child goes to their prison minister and writes down his children's genders, ages, and gifts they'd like to receive from that parent for Christmas. You then buy that gift, and can choose whether or not to be part of the team to deliver these gifts to the child's home. This can mean going to very dirty areas around town to view a few minutes into the lives of these families and share some love! It's a great experience. Just a thought! :) Another great idea, you two! Not to be a downer, but I thought I’d let you know (and your blog readers) that Operation Christmas Child actually goes into each and every box before it gets to the kids to ensure that each box has the same amount of goodies. Unfortunately, this likely means that your unknown little boy won’t be receiving all of this gifts (it does get better), but instead, you’ll more likely be putting a smile on more than one boys face! The good news, there’s not really any need to argue over what he’ll like more or less because you’re likely blessing his entire sibling family by filling a box full! :) Way to go! I too, have done this before & agree that the pre-shopping is the most fun, as you picture the look on the children’s faces.

One more thing, there are also opportunities to hand-deliver these gifts to the children overseas!

Or, if you’re looking for something based more in your community, there are “Angel Trees” that you can get involved in. What you do is you become involved in the life of a child who has a parent in prison during the Christmas Season… The father or mother of the child goes to their prison minister and writes down his children’s genders, ages, and gifts they’d like to receive from that parent for Christmas. You then buy that gift, and can choose whether or not to be part of the team to deliver these gifts to the child’s home. This can mean going to very dirty areas around town to view a few minutes into the lives of these families and share some love! It’s a great experience.

Just a thought! :)

]]> By: Lorrie http://thingstodofortwo.com/charity-date/comment-page-1/#comment-101 Lorrie Wed, 28 Oct 2009 13:20:46 +0000 http://thingstodofortwo.com/?p=405#comment-101 Great idea guys! I can't believe you fit all of that in one shoebox! That's going to be one happy little fellow! Just an FYI, I was on the Operation Christmas Child website the other day & you can donate your money online rather than putting a cheque in the box...and when you do that they can track where you box is and where it goes to...kind of neat! It's called EZ Give. Great idea guys! I can’t believe you fit all of that in one shoebox! That’s going to be one happy little fellow!
Just an FYI, I was on the Operation Christmas Child website the other day & you can donate your money online rather than putting a cheque in the box…and when you do that they can track where you box is and where it goes to…kind of neat! It’s called EZ Give.

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