Operation Christmas Child
Abgabewoche 26: 09.-16. November
Operation Christmas Child is the world's largest international gift-giving campaign, run by Samaritan's Purse . Its aim is to bring joy to underprivileged children by filling an empty shoebox with small gifts. Often, it's the first gift these children have ever received.
The shoe boxes collected in German-speaking countries are handed over at the beginning of November each year and then sent to Eastern European countries.
For several years now, we at Destiny Church e.V. have also supported this wonderful Christmas project and were able to send a total of 640 shoeboxes on their way last year. Season 26 is already in preparation; you will soon find all the information on how you can participate here.
The following video shows you how happy you can make children with a shoe box:
Blog stories about the Destiny Church
(from Samaritan's Purse)
On the Samaritan's Purse website you will find several articles about our involvement as a church in recent years, but also personal stories from Krisme and Jeanette, who themselves came into contact with "Christmas in a Shoebox" as children and are now with us in Destiny Church.
Impressions from Destiny Church
Box stop
On the Sunday of the collection week, Destiny Church holds a "box stop." All the collected shoe boxes are brought to the church service to pray for the transport, the recipient child, and their family. Afterward, the boxes are sent on their way.
Christmas On The Street
For two days just before the delivery week, we celebrate "Christmas On The Street." We go into town, hand out balloons to the children and flyers to the parents, and promote "Operation Christmas Child." One woman was so enthusiastic that she took 28!!! empty boxes and returned them to us a few days later, overflowing with boxes!
Packparty
Thanks to a fundraising campaign launched through Betterplace and the support of many companies and individuals, we were able to fill 250 shoeboxes with wonderful gifts. Our vision is to pack even more shoeboxes this year – but we need your support to do it. Feel free to watch the video to get a glimpse of what we're doing.
By the way...
In 2023, the Langmeier shoe store donated 280 pairs of brand-new children's shoes as they were closing their children's department. In 2024, a company from Rosenheim published an article about "Operation Christmas Child" and sent it to business partners and customers. In 2025, several companies donated, allowing us to pack an additional 250 shoeboxes at our packing party. What we achieve in 2026 is also in your hands...
Here’s how you can participate:
Do you love bringing a smile to the faces of underprivileged children and would like to support our Christmas campaign? You can:
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Pack your own shoe box
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Pack a shoe box online
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Support our fundraising campaign (transportation and more).
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Contribute in-kind donations
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Join us with your kindergarten / school / company
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support our packing party
Do you love bringing smiles to the faces of poor children and want to get involved? Then become part of the team and support us in our activities (e.g., Christmas on the Street, Packing Party), or encourage your family, friends, colleagues, kindergartens, schools, and companies to get involved too.
Of course, we're also happy to hear any other ideas on how we can raise awareness of Operation Christmas Child. Feel free to send us a quick email.