301 North College Ave.

Aledo, IL 61231

Phone: 309-582-2169

Operation Christmas Child



   Our mission is to connect people to Jesus Christ. What better way to plant the seed of Christ’s love than to do so with a child? Operation Christmas Child brings joy and hope to children in desperate situations world-wide through simple, gift-filled shoeboxes that show God’s love.

     Last year, the Aledo United Methodist Church donated 226 shoeboxes to this wonderful Christian mission project- more than 1,620 total since we began our involvement in 2008. Those were 1,620+ children who may not have received anything to celebrate the birth of our Lord. That was also 1,620+ families who witnessed God’s love first-hand. What a wonderful blessing for both the recipient and the giver. THIS YEAR'S GOAL IS 260 BOXES!!

     Boxes may be filled with dozens of items. Along with items like school supplies, jump ropes, t-shirts, small stuffed toys, small cars, please consider hygiene items in your box as well. They could include bar soap (place in a plastic, zip-lock bag and/or a soap dish), washcloths, hair combs and brushes. These items, which we may take for granted, may be the only such items that these children have all year. Can we count on YOU to get on board to help a child in need? If you can help in any way, it will be appreciated greatly by the children!

     Each box should be accompanied with $9 to cover the shipping.Your check should be made payable to Samaritan’s Purse and placed in an envelope INSIDE the box. In the case of multiple box donations, only one check is needed to cover the cost of shipping for all. Just follow the instructions in the brochure to get your box ready to send! (Cash donations are welcome as well. Extra money will be used for necessary postage and/or extra items for shoeboxes.) You may pick up a “list” of possible items to pack in your box at the shoebox center in the Fellowship Cafe.

     Participants for this simple, hands-on mission project can be people of all ages. The participants do not have to be a member of this church. The focus of the project is the true meaning of Christmas—the birth of Jesus Christ. Just imagine the looks on the children’s faces as they open their box to find all those treasures. For many of these children, it will be like a dream come true.

     Visit the OCC Table/Center located in the Fellowship Cafe for shoeboxes, brochures, labels, and a display of wonderful pictures of children who have their boxes! Boxes must be collected and brought to the church by November 3rd. So, if you haven’t done so already, now is the time to begin finding small items for your shoebox. You may use the official shoeboxes provided, or use regular shoeboxes. The regular shoeboxes may be wrapped in Christmas paper (lid must be wrapped separately from the bottom) or plastic totes can be used. You are not limited to one box…you may fill as many as you want and we encourage you to do just that. If you don’t know for sure if you want to participate, please take some time to think about it. Pray about it. Decide for yourself if you and your family are willing to share the blessings God has given you with a child who is less fortunate. Let the world know that “God is Good!”

​​​"We exist to

​connect people to

Jesus Christ!"