American Heritage Girls and Operation Christmas Child
Connect Your Troop to Operation Christmas Child
Welcome to the 2023 #AHGOCCWOVEN Shoebox Challenge! Join Troops around the country this year to unite in one common focus—being woven together by a loving God! By participating in Operation Christmas Child, your service can help weave Gospel-centered change into the fabric of a child's life across the globe.
This year, Troops that pack 25 or more shoebox gifts will be entered in a drawing to win an exciting Operation Christmas Child trip for a girl member and adult member/guardian. In addition, Troops that pack 100 or more shoebox gifts will receive a free Operation Christmas Child logo patch for each participating Troop member!
Troops must enter their shoebox counts using the collection form by Dec. 1, 2023, to contribute to the American Heritage Girls national shoebox goal and qualify for the drawing. The winning Troop will be announced in January 2024, and they will determine how representatives will be chosen to attend.
“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.”
Get Your Troop Involved
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Order Materials
Help your shoebox packing and promotion go smoothly with FREE materials such as brochures, posters, and bookmarks. You can also order preprinted shoeboxes to fill with gifts or download videos to show your Troop.
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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!
Host a packing party. Use our step-by-step guide to customize your packing party experience and to order free materials.
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Cover Ministry Costs
Make a $10 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.
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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!
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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.
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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.
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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.
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Earn Tickets to Attractions
Register your packed shoebox gifts in one more spot and your Troop could earn complimentary tickets to a theme park or aquarium.
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Share Posts with Operation Christmas Child
Post photos of your Troop participating in Operation Christmas Child to our social media using the hashtag #AHGOCCWOVEN.
Recognize Participation
Use the patch below to recognize girls for their participation in Operation Christmas Child.
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Operation Christmas Child Patch
Order the Operation Christmas Child patch to recognize girls for their first year of packing shoeboxes as a Troop.
