It's Fall, and although I have been saving up and snatching things on clearance all year for Operation Christmas Child shoe boxes, my thoughts always turn to what I can create to put in those boxes each year.  I don't know about you, but I love creating things.  Starting with a cone of Peaches & Cream cotton yarn and ending with a bunch of fish-shaped wash cloths is really cool!  Recently, I also purchased a new sewing machine, and I have been putting that to use as well.

Why Creative for a Cause?

To encourage you to do the same, I will begin blogging some of my ideas (and later, finds!) for you to use to create your own "OCC stash"!  I hope you enjoy it as much as I do.  Usually, I keep stuff in plastic T bags labeled with the sex and age of the appropriate box to put them in.  When those are full, I start another.  Then, I look for a great group with which to share my bounty and join them as they gear up for the season.

I went by church the other day and found our dedicated secretary (shout out to Deb!) sorting with a missions group that had come to stay at our church on the West Bank in New Orleans.  She was counting how many soap resources we had so that we could know approximately how many boxes we will be shooting for (over 500 this year from our church alone).  She mentioned that we were short on wash cloths.  This brought to mind a project that I did last year, which I will be sharing in the next few days.

Maybe you don't sew, or crochet, or do any of the things I will be posting about.  But, you may know someone who does.  You could always learn.   None of the things I do are particularly difficult.  Even if you are a novice crocheter, you can probably accomplish the things I will post.

Why did I get creative?  It turns out, that though there isn't much money in the family budget at this time, buying things to make other things, (or upcycling items we no longer need) is a great way to increase my level of giving without budget busting.  Maybe you can relate.  If not, think of it this way, the cheaper you can provide quality items for your shoe boxes, the more you can fill!  Every child should get to experience the magic of receiving a gift.  For many of them, this will be their first.

Last year, I was blessed with the opportunity to work in the Minneapolis, Minnesota packing center for OCC.  We heard testimonies, we prayed over outgoing trucks, we packed boxes.  I met some really neat folk who volunteer regularly.  If you get the chance to participate in this activity, please volunteer!

What I learned there was that people have giving hearts.  They may not have much money, but they try to maximize what they do have.  Their own creativity inspired me.  Perhaps mine will do the same for you.  Happy reading!