One of our Priorities this year - Giving our students opportunities to serve the community and those in need.
We're excited to be kicking off our first service opportunity for this school year—we get to partner with Operation Christmas Child and give gifts to children around the world!
As a youth group, we are asking each Small Group to plan and coordinate this project.
This means we’d like the youth to take the lead in overseeing the financial and leadership aspects of the operation.
Our goal is to fill 300 boxes, and our amazing small groups have already committed to 207!
Next Steps:
Over the next few weeks, each Small Group will discuss how many boxes they feel they can support as a team, and they will purchase supplies to fill their boxes. On November 19th, we will have a Harvest Packing Party at The EDGE and celebrate the fruit of our labor by packing boxes, praying over them, and giving thanks for the blessing of being able to give to others in need. Group leaders will have tracking numbers for the boxes, and in January we will find out where each of our boxes went around the world to reach children in need!
We are so grateful for your leadership in your family with these outstanding youth and feel blessed to walk with them in this.
Below you will find a timeline and objectives that our small group leaders will be facilitating each week.
As a youth group, we are asking each Small Group to plan and coordinate this project.
This means we’d like the youth to take the lead in overseeing the financial and leadership aspects of the operation.
Our goal is to fill 300 boxes, and our amazing small groups have already committed to 207!
Next Steps:
Over the next few weeks, each Small Group will discuss how many boxes they feel they can support as a team, and they will purchase supplies to fill their boxes. On November 19th, we will have a Harvest Packing Party at The EDGE and celebrate the fruit of our labor by packing boxes, praying over them, and giving thanks for the blessing of being able to give to others in need. Group leaders will have tracking numbers for the boxes, and in January we will find out where each of our boxes went around the world to reach children in need!
We are so grateful for your leadership in your family with these outstanding youth and feel blessed to walk with them in this.
Below you will find a timeline and objectives that our small group leaders will be facilitating each week.
Important Dates
Making a Plan
10.22.25
Small groups will decide how many boxes they would like to "adopt" and make a plan of action for fundraising, purchasing, and collecting items.
Collecting Items
10.22-11.19
Small groups will continue to collect items for their boxes.
Shipping Due
10.29.25
Each small group is reponsible for collecting shipping costs ($10 per box) as a group. Check in with your small group leader for more details.
Prayer Over Boxes
11.05.25
As small groups we will gather to pray over each box and the child who will receive it. We will write them a note, and snap a pic so they can see our faces.
Packing Party
11.19.25
Small Groups will bring all of their collected gifts and pack their boxes together!
FAQs
WHAT IS OPERATION CHRISTMAS CHILD?
Operation Christmas Child is a global outreach by Samaritan’s Purse that delivers gift-filled shoeboxes to children in need around the world.
Each box is packed with toys, hygiene items, school supplies, and a message of hope in Christ!
Each box is packed with toys, hygiene items, school supplies, and a message of hope in Christ!
WHO IS RESPONSIBLE FOR ORGANIZING THE BOXES?
Each Small Group will take the lead in planning, fundraising, and purchasing items for their assigned boxes.
Most small groups enjoy going on a group shopping trip to purchase the supplies together and dream up what they will fill the boxes with.
Parents - you may receive communication from your students' small group leaders to arrange shopping times.
Most small groups enjoy going on a group shopping trip to purchase the supplies together and dream up what they will fill the boxes with.
Parents - you may receive communication from your students' small group leaders to arrange shopping times.
WHO IS RESPONSIBLE TO PAY FOR THE SUPPLIES?
As we shared with the students, the heart of this service project is to encourage them to bless others through sacrificial giving—by earning the money themselves.
Parents are absolutely welcome to contribute or offer jobs around the house, and we appreciate that support. However, we've found that when students put in the effort and work hard, it fosters a deeper sense of ownership and leads to more meaningful learning.
Parents are absolutely welcome to contribute or offer jobs around the house, and we appreciate that support. However, we've found that when students put in the effort and work hard, it fosters a deeper sense of ownership and leads to more meaningful learning.
MY SMALL GROUP LEADER MENTIONED $10 PER BOX... WHAT'S THAT ABOUT?
Each small group is responsible to pay for the $10 of shipping/registration for each box.
Each group handles this differently, but if your leader asked you to bring money, it can be paid to your leader, who will register all the boxes with their card.
The coolest part about this is that we will be able to track the boxes and see where they go!
Each group handles this differently, but if your leader asked you to bring money, it can be paid to your leader, who will register all the boxes with their card.
The coolest part about this is that we will be able to track the boxes and see where they go!
WHAT CAN I DO TO RAISE THE MONEY?
Get creative with it! You might find that there are more opportunities than you think.
You could try things like:
-Babysitting
-Yard Work
-Dog Walking
-House Cleaning for Relatives
-Baking Cookies to Sell to Family and Friends
-Cleaning Cars
-Making and Selling Crafts
You might find that when you share that you are raising money for a service project, people are more excited to help you raise the money!
You could try things like:
-Babysitting
-Yard Work
-Dog Walking
-House Cleaning for Relatives
-Baking Cookies to Sell to Family and Friends
-Cleaning Cars
-Making and Selling Crafts
You might find that when you share that you are raising money for a service project, people are more excited to help you raise the money!
HOW CAN I STAY UPDATED OR GET INVOLVED AS A PARENT?
Stay in touch with your student’s Small Group leader for updates. If you'd like to volunteer or contribute in other ways, feel free to reach out to Mekenzie at mekenzie@hfcgh.org
WHAT IF I DON'T KNOW MY STUDENT'S SMALL GROUP LEADER?
They would love to meet you! When you pick up your student, feel free to come inside and ask any of the youth leaders if they can help you find the leader for your student's grade.
Just look for anyone wearing a bright blue lanyard!
(If your students drive themselves, they should have contact info for their leader and can share it with you)
Just look for anyone wearing a bright blue lanyard!
(If your students drive themselves, they should have contact info for their leader and can share it with you)