Operation Christmas Child

Spark! First Service Project is coming up soon.
​We will be participating in Operation Christmas Child on October 22 and October 24.

What will the students do?
Our elementary students, more than 100 of them, will be creating and wrapping beautiful gifts for poor, sick and suffering children in third world countries. Our Padre Serra third through fifth graders participate in this world wide outreach effort by filling shoe boxes with donated items, decorating the boxes and making a beautiful, personal card.

What they learn?
The children watch a DVD about this project and learn that not all children in the world have toys or pencils, or even an empty shoe-box.

What can you do as a parent?

• Bring a shoe-box and some donated items listed below.
• Stay and assist your child with this project if you are able to.
  
• Wrapping the boxes can be challenging and so any additional help is appreciated. Besides, it's a rewarding project to be able to do with your child.  
  
• Donate extra supplies, if possible.

Suggested Gifts:

• 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 supplies:  pens, pencils and sharpener, crayons or markers, stamps and ink pad sets, coloring books, writing pads or paper, solar calculators, coloring and picture books etc.
• Hygiene items:  toothbrush, toothpaste, mild bar soap (in a plastic bag), comb, washcloth, etc.
• Other:  Individually wrapped hard candy, lollipops (please double bag all candy), mints, gum, sunglasses, flashlights (with extra batteries), ball caps, socks, T-shirts, toy jewelry, hair clips, watches, small picture books, etc.

Please DO NOT include the following:

• Used items
• War-related items:  toy guns, knives, etc
• Chocolate, gummy, or perishable food items
• Liquids:  shampoo, liquid soap, lotion, bubbles, etc
• Medicines:  vitamins, cough drops, ointment, etc
• Breakable items:  mirrors, china dolls, etc

If you have any questions, contact the parish at (805) 482·6417 and ask for Christine at x349.

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