Community Outreach
Operation Christmas Child at Rawls
Each fall, Rawls Baptist Church participates in Samaritan’s Purse Operation Christmas Child by collecting gift-filled shoeboxes for children around the world. These gift-filled shoeboxes are distributed through local churches as part of a broader ministry of Gospel outreach, prayer, and discipleship.
How to Participate
Pick up an Operation Christmas Child shoebox at Rawls Baptist Church, choose whether you are packing for a girl or boy and select an age group, then fill the box with appropriate gifts.
Include a larger “wow” gift along with toys, school supplies, personal-care items, clothing or accessories, and other useful gifts. Samaritan’s Purse also encourages including a personal note or photo and praying for the child who will receive the box.
Samaritan’s Purse suggests a $10 donation per shoebox to help cover evangelism materials, shipping, and other project costs.
Follow Your Box
If you use a QR-coded Operation Christmas Child label and make the suggested $10 donation online, you can activate Samaritan’s Purse’s Follow Your Box feature.
Attach the activated label to the lid of your shoebox before returning it to Rawls. After the box is processed and prepared for international shipment, you can check the tracking tool to see its status and, once confirmed, discover the destination country where your gift was sent.
Tracking is not immediate. Shoeboxes are typically scanned during processing in the weeks after National Collection Week.
Activate or Track Your Shoebox
Please return completed shoeboxes to Rawls Baptist Church by November 16.
What Can I Pack?
Good shoebox gifts can include toys, school supplies, personal-care items, clothing and accessories, crafts, activities, and a larger “wow” item that a child can enjoy right away.
Because Operation Christmas Child has specific customs and shipping requirements, please review Samaritan’s Purse’s current gift suggestions before packing your box.
What Should I Leave Out?
Some items cannot be included because of customs, shipping, or safety restrictions. Common examples include soap, food or candy, toothpaste, used or damaged items, scary or war-related items, seeds or organic matter, liquids, medications, money, breakable items, aerosols, blades, and alcohol wipes.
Please check the current official list before returning your shoebox, especially if you are unsure about a particular item.
Where Do the Shoeboxes Go?
After shoeboxes are collected, volunteers inspect and prepare them for international shipping. They are then distributed through local churches in more than 100 countries and territories, where pastors and community leaders use the gifts as part of outreach to children and families.
Many children are also invited to participate in The Greatest Journey, a follow-up discipleship program that helps them learn more about Jesus Christ and share their faith with others.
Rawls Collection Details
- Pick Up
- Pick up Operation Christmas Child shoeboxes at Rawls Baptist Church.
- Return
- Return completed shoeboxes by November 16.
- Rawls Baptist Church
- 10665 US-401 N, Fuquay-Varina, NC 27526
Want to Pack a Shoebox but Don’t Attend Rawls?
You’re still welcome to participate. If you’d like to pick up a shoebox or need help getting started, contact Rawls Baptist Church and we’ll help you with the supplies and information you need.
Contact RawlsWant to Serve in Other Ways?
Operation Christmas Child is one of several ways Rawls Baptist Church serves people locally and beyond.