Bringing Joy to Children Around the World: Operation Christmas Child and Our Special Gifts

Every year, the holiday season provides us with an opportunity to spread love and joy, and one remarkable initiative making a global impact is Operation Christmas Child. At Lion Wholesale, we are thrilled to support the people who are dedicated to this cause by showcasing a collection of special gifts that can bring joy, hope and most importantly the good news about Jesus Christ, to children and their families around the world.

Operation Christmas Child, organized by the international relief organization Samaritan's Purse, is a charitable initiative that collects and delivers shoebox gifts to children in over 100 countries. The goal is simple yet profound: to share the message of love, hope, and joy through carefully packed gift boxes.

At Lion Wholesale, we have been packing shoeboxes for 8 years. Through both our own experience, and the experience of others that love this ministry, we have learned a lot about the unique challenges' shoebox packers and leader sometimes face. Our specially curated collection for Operation Christmas Child reflects this commitment, featuring a range of toys, accessories, and essentials that are perfect for inclusion in the shoebox gifts.  Below are just a few examples: 

 11.5" Fashion Doll
     We had this doll custom designed to allow children of diverse ethnicities to receive a doll that looks a lot like they do.  In addition, as a child my favorite dolls had bendable joints, so we chose a doll that is fully pose-able with bendable wrists, elbows, knees, and ankles.  We also used a good quality plastic to ensure greater durability.  To make it even more shoebox friendly,we used a simple plastic bag to package them.  This eliminates the need to remove packaging before putting them in the shoebox and lessens the environmental impact. 
Soccer Ball:
    Our soccer balls were made to our exact specifications so that we could supply a ball that maintained the value price point we felt best supported the budgets of shoebox packers, but also provided a quality, reliable product.  We used a PU synthetic leather outer with a butyl 2 layer thicker bladder.  This allows the ball to hold air longer, and its shape better and won't pop like some of the thin PVC balls do. It is machine stitched and colorful, we feel good about shipping this product to kids around the world knowing that it will hold up well on hard dirt, pavement, and asphalt.  Lastly, we had this ball deflated (the rest of the way) and packaged with a pump that has two needles, rubber-banded together so that it will not only fit easily into a shoebox, but also will have minimal garbage at the end of its journey. We have tested balls, stored away in the Las Vegas cold and heat in a non-climate controlled storage facility, in this rubber-banded state for over a year, and they filled up and held the air perfectly. 
 Solar Lantern:
      Not knowing for sure if the boxes are going to children who have electricity, we elected to supply a solar camping lantern that doubles as a flashlight.  This unit has 3 ways of charging, is a bright LED low temperature bulb, and is expected to last 50,000 hours.  In addition, we had these custom packaged in bubble wrap without the cardboard boxes so that they take up the least possible space and yet are still protected.  We are proud of the price point we are able to offer this product at and the value we believe it will bring to the families who get one.  BTW, we have several of these that we have kept in a drawer in case of emergency for several years.  We just recently pulled them out, and they still were charged up! 

Join us in making a difference by participating in Operation Christmas Child. Here's how you can get involved:

1. **Pack a Shoebox:**
Create your own shoebox filled with love. Follow the guidelines provided by Operation Christmas Child, and include a selection of our showcased products.

www.samaritanspurse.org/operation-christmas-child/pack-a-shoe-box/

2. **Spread the Word:**
Share our blog post and the Operation Christmas Child initiative with your friends and family. Encourage others to participate and make a positive impact in the lives of children around the world.

This holiday season, let's come together to make a meaningful difference in the lives of children who may not experience the same festive joy as we do. Through Operation Christmas Child, we have the opportunity to bring smiles, laughter, and hope to children across the globe. Join us in spreading the spirit of giving, and let's make this holiday season unforgettable for those who need it most.