Connect Your Troop to Operation Christmas Child

National Collection Week
Nov. 15–22, 2021

2021 AHG Troop Goal: Pack 25 Shoeboxes

Last year, we set records in packing Operation Christmas Child shoeboxes, and we are excited to continue the #AHGOCC25 Challenge again! The goal is for each Troop to pack 25 shoebox gifts full of toys, school supplies, and hygiene items for children in need around the world. Every Troop that meets the 25-shoebox challenge goal will be entered into a drawing for a chance to win a pizza party hosted by Operation Christmas Child! The party not only includes plenty of pizza but also an opportunity to hear from a shoebox recipient and be featured in AHG’s Heritage Headlines magazine. Troops must enter their shoebox counts using the collection form by November 30, 2021 to qualify for the drawing.

“The altruistic act of kindness in building and sending a shoebox molds the hearts of our future servant leaders while building empathy for their international sisters and brothers. I can’t think of a better way for kids to share the love of Christ while praying for the impact of their gift from generation to generation.”
—Patti Garibay
American Heritage Girls Founder and Executive Director

Get Your Troop Involved

Order Materials

Visit our Resources and Ideas Hub
Receive FREE materials
Order preprinted shoeboxes to fill with gifts
Download videos to show to your Troop

Pack and Assemble

Collect shoeboxes or plastic containers and fill them with gender- and age-appropriate items. If you wrap your shoebox, be sure to wrap the lid separately from the rest of the box. Set a goal for your Troop and start collecting today!
Learn how to pack a shoebox.
Host a packing party. Use our step-by-step guide to customize your packing party experience and to order free materials.

Cover Ministry Costs

Make a $9 donation for each shoebox you prepare to help cover shipping and program expenses.
If you give online through Follow Your Box, you can discover the destination of your shoebox gift.

Drop Off

Place a rubber band around each shoebox and bring them to one of over 4,000 drop-off locations open during National Collection Week, the third week in November.
Make sure to indicate that you’re with American Heritage Girls when you fill out the drop-off log. We want to celebrate this partnership with you and AHG!

Build Shoeboxes Online

Invite your Troop to virtually pack shoeboxes at Build a Shoebox Online. In just a few clicks, select items you’d like to include in your gift and include a personal note and photo. We’ll pack and ship your shoebox for you for just $25.
Create your own custom webpage for your Troop to track their progress towards a shoebox goal! At the above website, click “Create a Goal Page” to get started.

Host a Guest Speaker

Contact your Operation Christmas Child regional office to be put in contact with potential speakers, including local volunteers, youth who helped deliver shoebox gifts, and even shoebox recipients.

Disciple Children Through The Greatest Journey

After children receive shoebox gifts, many are invited to participate in our 12-lesson follow-up discipleship program, The Greatest Journey. During these Bible lessons, a trained teacher/mentor instructs them how to follow Christ and share Him with others.

Disciple a Child ⇢

Share Posts with Operation Christmas Child

Post photos of your Troop participating in Operation Christmas Child to our social media using the hashtag #AHGOCC25.

Recognize Participation

Use the patches below to recognize girls for their participation in Operation Christmas Child. Give the logo patch the first year they participate and commemorative patches for each subsequent year.