Operation Christmas Child - 2021/A Peek 👀 Into Working at the OCC Processing Center

[@sk8rmom222]

This was really awesome!!!!

[@peeweepixie3655]

Amazing!! I love this project!!

[@anetarogowska8490]

Wow I loved the story about the boy that got the gloves and said they'd be perfect bc he's a soccer goalie❤ I'm preparing my boxes to send...from Caledon ,Ontario Canada 🇨🇦 God bless you. Thanks for the great info

[@drogers]

Isn’t that a great story? I love it too! You are welcome! Thanks for packing!!!!

[@alibeck1383]

Wish I could give this more than just a thumbs up. 💕💕💕 You’re amazing!!

[@drogers]

Wow, thank you!

[@dalehighnote6958]

Thank you for sharing! I so enjoy the Processing Center videos. They are so informative.

[@drogers]

Thanks Dale! I’m glad you enjoyed it! Thank you for watching! I was back there today!

[@lindahitchcock7112]

I loved watching this video because it was informative and fun to see such detail of the processing plant.

[@drogers]

Thank you Linda! I’m glad you enjoyed it! 💕

[@SweetTDaily]

Excellent video - very good information! I'm volunteering in the processing center where I live in December - I can't wait! Thank you for taking the time to make this video!

[@drogers]

You are welcome! You will have a wonderful time! Exhausting but rewarding! 💕

[@SweetTDaily]

💗@@drogers

[@byrdfeed9071]

Thank you so much for this video, Denise. This is so eye-opening. Until this year, I think I’ve only seen one small snippet of a video of the processing center process. It is a blessing to have so many of our OCC KZbin family volunteer this year and film video of all that goes on, the pc set-up, interviews with volunteers and managers, etc. It is so helpful to actually hear about and see the inappropriate items, which are removed from the boxes. I’m sure that will be helpful to many who are only beginning to pack shoeboxes or are just unaware. You should replay that cut of the video during the height of shoebox packing season in September/Octoberish. God bless you, my friend. You are one in 1 million 😘

[@drogers]

Thanks Trish! As you well know, I struggled to get this one up but I hope people find it helpful and fun to watch! They were so amenable to being interviewed and so full of passion! It was a highlight for me! Good idea to use a snippet for next year. I will probably do a whole separate video on what is inappropriate. I have a bunch more pics. Thanks for always supporting me. You are a kind friend. Merry Christmas! 🎄

[@byrdfeed9071]

@@drogers Wonderful idea to make a separate video devoted solely to inappropriate items. Love it! Merry Christmas, Denise! 😘

[@charlottesshoeboxes3230]

Thank you for the interesting tour.

[@drogers]

Glad you enjoyed it Charlotte! I also enjoyed watching your home organization! Wow! Great job! ( your comments were turned off)

[@charlottesshoeboxes3230]

@@drogers yes I have no idea why the comments were turned off.

[@debraday5682]

I just told my sister a few hours ago that I wanted to find out what happens to inappropriate items. Thanks for answering that question!!!

[@drogers]

You are welcome! All donated! ❤️

[@miss_lilyanne]

I know this is an older video, but my heart has just been so moved by how much time and effort you put into making these boxes (and videos). I can see you have an awful lot of fun doing it as well! I went on a spree earlier with my 12 year old daughter. She is such a whirlwind of energy and always has some sort of business going selling bracelets, cricut stickers, slime, candy, and whatever else her lil mind brews up to her friends at school or to the ladies at our lil community bingo or card night. She is home for the summer with no school and that means pretty much no job. I can only bake out in the pool so many hours a day and I asked her if she would like to make some shoe boxes. She is dreaming up so many wonderful ideas already. She has 3 totes full of school supplies that were on her list this past year but the school did away with lockers and had zero storage. Out of hundreds of dollars worth of supplies, she used a box of color pencils, a pencil bag with some pencils, a few folders and notebooks, and 1 red pen! She is so happy to be able to start making up sets for boxes first thing tomorrow. I have a feeling "uberPaPa" will be heading out for pouches as soon as the old bears eyes open in the morning. Thank you so much for the videos! One little question: Can we make stickers on our cricut to put inside the boxes or to decorate items for the boxes like use the decals to decorate the outside of pencil cases? Or use the iron on paper to iron on crosses or inspirational words onto little purses or bandanas? Or does it all need to be store bought items?

[@drogers]

Thank you for your lovely comment! I’m just seeing it. How wonderful that you will be packing with your daughter! You both will have so much fun and great memories from doing this together! I love it! The stickers are a great idea! The items do not need to be store bought! I use skateboard stickers often for decorating the box and putting inside for the child. Kids love stickers! Doing it on a cricut is genius! Can’t wait to hear how it goes! Thanks for taking the time to watch this video and for packing shoeboxes! 💕

[@soniasshoeboxesocc-ninodel3987]

Denise, you are beautiful!!! Inside and out!!! Thank you for taking us on this so very special journey! Thoroughly enjoyed the interviews. So much information in them. OMG, you got a chance to use Sharon’s pencil fillers and yours too! Thank you for bringing us your favorite boxes, too. The Hot Wheels in the plastic jar, an innovative and a “box-lifting” idea for sure. On my way to the processing center first thing in the morning. Can’t wait! THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU for bringing us along! (Diane Sawyer has a big competitor in you) 💗💗💗💗💗

[@drogers]

Sonia, I’m soooo excited for you! You will have an eye opening experience tomorrow! I will be going back tomorrow also! I hope the boxes are full! We had some great ones but many that needed a lot of TLC. Sometimes our filler was weak and it became hard to make the boxes complete. I’ll say a prayer for you tonight! Oh you are too funny… Just call me Denise Sawyer. Lol. 🤪

[@dalehighnote6958]

Please do a video Sonia!

[@soniasshoeboxesocc-ninodel3987]

Hi, Dale! Pretty early here. Getting ready for the drive and soooo looking forward to the PC experience. Wish we could all gather and go as a group….wouldn’t it be absolutely awesome! Yes, to a video. Let’s see what comes out….bloopers and all…..LOL!

[@susanmbuli574]

Hi am Susan from Botswana 🇧🇼🇧🇼🇧🇼 ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️

[@bluffcitybounty2122]

Thank you, Denise! This was a fabulous tour of the Baltimore PC! Really appreciate it.

[@drogers]

You are welcome Morgan!! I go back again tomorrow! Woo hoo!

[@ScotiaGirl902]

looked like so much fun! I miss packing already

[@drogers]

I miss packing too… lol… in fact so much do that I packed 5 more boxes tonight to take to the PC on Monday! No thought out themes of course… just good solid well rounded stuff! I’ve seen so many empty boxes come through that I was inspired to do more.

[@savanah1407]

Oh wow those interviews were enlightening! Thank you so much for sharing!

[@drogers]

You are welcome Savanah! Glad it was helpful! Thanks for watching!

[@gesiriechturtle2564]

Thanks for sharing Denise. Great video!

[@drogers]

Thank you! 💕

[@NikiChicote]

thanks for taking us with you Denise! its nice to see whats after drop off! 💖💖💖

[@drogers]

Glad you enjoyed it Niki! 💕

[@maritzacopping3309]

What a great video! You covered all the bases and then some. Don’t understand how people continue to pack inappropriate items. Really liked your favorite items packed pics. What do they do with the rubber bands at this site?

[@drogers]

Hi Maritza! So much education still needs to happen. I pulled SO.many inappropriate items all week… including today! At least they are all donated. Every year seems to differ with the rubber bands. Leaders were telling us to throw them away this year and I just couldn’t do it! I put them back in the child’s box. I mean we use to play with rubber bands when we were little and they can be very useful! Right? So that’s what I did but I think many were thrown away.

[@maritzacopping3309]

@@drogers I’m glad you didn’t throw them away. Grownups still play with them! Again, fantastic video.

[@FoothillsFamily365]

I didn't get notified when you posted for some reason! So glad you posted on IG ❤💚 My closest processing center has no openings when I can go, I've been on the wait list for awhile. Loved hearing from Connie! Her stories touched my ❤️! This is a great look from beginning to end of how the processing center from an expert 🥰

[@drogers]

Thank you Jessica! I’m so sorry that your PC has no openings. It is such an eye opener to be able to work at one. Joyful but emotionally draining also. Many empty boxes. I just pray. Merry Christmas to you!🎄💕🎄

[@valswain]

This is a fantastic video, Denise! So well done and so informative. For those of us who live so far from a PC and would struggle with all the logistics, time, and expense in getting there to volunteer, it is so wonderful to experience the process through your eyes and actions! I appreciate you so much for sharing with us. You are a great videographer too. The things that stood out to me in watching your video and the videos of others volunteering this past week at different PC’s are 1) I thought that finding inappropriate items like liquids and military items would be rare, but it looks like it happens more often than I realized; 2) the box you showed being inspected didn’t look very full. It appeared that there was a lot of empty space even though the cup made it awkward to close the lid; and 3) it looks like the quality and quantity of filler items might be improving (although I know you always need more!). I think the word might be getting out. I know I donated a lot more filler this year than I have in the past, mostly thanks to the inspiration I got from you, Sharon, and others! Finally, I just want to say that you looked terrific!!

[@drogers]

Thanks Val for this lovely comment. I’m glad you enjoyed it! I removed a lot of inappropriate items this week! I should have shown those balls with liquid and lip gloss too. I also had a ton of the building kits with the liquid glue. I also have had many half full boxes. Filler was good but it can be hard to complete a box at times when it is so empty. It has been hard work but worth every minute. I had use or lose time so I used it to take off to volunteer. I go back tomorrow! I will let you know how it goes! Oh and thanks! I do not enjoy my own pics though 😂🤣😂 … just getting old.

[@maritzacopping3309]

Ditto to everything V Swain said.🙂

[@judyfrazier2462]

This was a great video, Denise. You are so good at doing them and I'm looking forward to seeing what you do next year ! I loved the interviews. These ladies are so on fire for the Lord.

[@drogers]

Thanks Judy! I actually struggled to put this one together! Lol… I take a break and my brain went to mush! 🤣😂Forgot to add my intro and end screens! Oh well, the most important stuff is in the actual video. I had a great time speaking with these passionate ladies! And yes, they are on fire, aren’t they? Connie had me in tears behind the camera phone when she told the glove story! So moving! 💕

[@susanmbuli574]

We ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️all from Botswana 🇧🇼🇧🇼🇧🇼🇧🇼🇧🇼

[@eastcoaststories]

Denise, I absolutely love this!! Perfect tour of the Baltimore processing center. I love that you interviewed the staff and them giving their experiences and expertise. Fantastic explanation of the inappropriate items. Thanks for showing the process and tour. First, I love your Maryland scarf! And second, wow, your filler that you donated! It's definitely much needed. I'll be volunteering tomorrow and I'm positive I will be using your filler! You have a generous heart. Oh wow, we didn't do a roll call when I volunteered. That's fun! Oh, I'm so happy my pencil packs were packed! Thanks for showing it! How funny, that someone I know used my pencil pack! Super cool! I know you've shown your face before, but it's nice to see your pretty face again! I love the photos in the end. The pink pencil kit with heart is so pretty - so much love poured in the filler. Very nice hygiene kit. The hero figurines were definitely a WOW! Whoah, New Balance shoes too?! Thanks for sharing this very informative video, Denise!! Super fun!!

[@drogers]

It was super fun being with you and your brother today! How cool was it that we got to meet up? It amazed me that this ministry brought us together! You are beautiful inside and out!!! Thanks for the kind comment on my video. I hope your video came out today! Your filler was fantastic today too! You have such a big heart for these kids and this ministry! I hope we get to meet up again! 💕

[@eastcoaststories]

@@drogers It was super fun and really a random coincidence that we volunteered on the same day and almost the same hours. It was awesome to finally meet you in person! I'm heading to Richmond for the week so I will try to post it on Tuesday - probably the last video of the year. lol You also have a big heart for the ministry - you really care each box is packed full with much needed items. YOUR are beautiful inside and out!! Hope to meet again soon! Have a great time at your next shift! I wish I was there!

[@kristinesharp6286]

Since dollar tree supplies half of the stuff I almost wish they had a tag saying I can not go in shoebox. Hobby Lobby has some signs saying great for shoeboxes.

[@drogers]

That would be amazing if Dollar Tree partnered with OCC and posted signs with suggestions! However since they already partner with Hobby Lobby, I doubt it will happen. I don’t have a Hobby Lobby near me. .wish I did!!!

[@mattmanandrobynn]

Denise you are such an inspiration. So many of us have done PC videos this year but yours is my favorite! So very well thought out and edited so well. I know this took you so much time and effort. GREAT job! Keep up the great work. ❤️ I like that you used a microphone. I’ve asked for some vlogging items for Christmas so I can step up my game too. 😊

[@drogers]

Thanks Robynn! I’ve asked Santa for some new KZbin equipment too! 🎅🏻🎅🏻🎅🏻It did take a lot of time to edit this one but I really wanted to do this one before I take a longer break. I really need to get my Christmas shopping done now! Lol. Thanks for your kind words. 💕

[@AishaMBudgets]

Amazing video you put together and very informative! Was great to see the inside and see the goings on. Do you know what they do with the checks people send? Do they cancel them or use them for more donations? Just curious. This really makes me wish we had the money to send fillers to the processing centers. Alas. But God-willing, they'll get the fillers they need. God bless!

[@drogers]

Thanks Aisha! The checks we find in the boxes go directly to Samaritans purse to help pay for the ministry as a whole. Shipping, books, teachers, and administrative costs to name a few. Glad you enjoyed the video! I can’t wait to go back this year!!

[@cbh8r]

I’m finding these videos late but plan to do a few boxes next year. Super cool to see this as I’m also in Maryland about an hour from Baltimore. 🥰

[@drogers]

Hi Alison! I’m about an hour away too! It’s great to hear you’ll be doing some boxes next year! Stay tuned to my channel for some more occ videos!

[@patriciagriswold6060]

I forgot to ask where my shoeboxes may be going😒 I like to pray as I start packing a box asking for guidance for the right combination of items to help a child in need. For 2022 I am going to have a dual focus of boxes and filler packs.

[@drogers]

Patricia-do you know what processing center your boxes went to? If you do we might be able to get an idea of where they might be going. Also if you did follow your box, you can use the lookup tool online to find out. I am praying about 2022 already also. I really want to try to include more shoes if I can. Yes, filler is so badly needed. I’ve now worked 4 shifts at the PC and I can tell you it was really hard to fill in a box with what was provided. Even with all my pencil packs, we needed more! ❤️

[@patriciagriswold6060]

My boxes go to the Fullerton California processing center. How do you research where the boxes go?

[@drogers]

@@patriciagriswold6060 Did you do follow your box?

[@drogers]

@@patriciagriswold6060 Fullerton has processed to: Madagascar, Thailand, Peru, Honduras, Ecuador, and El Salvador…….so far!

[@dawnepayne1314]

Great video, Denise! I loved the interviews especially about inappropriate items! I was surprised that there was so many inappropriate items, however, I love that they are donated to local charities! I also loved that you took us through the actual shoebox process and showed us some of your favorite items! I think it’s so fun that you got to use some of Sharon’s (East Coast Stories) fillers 🤣. Thanks so much for taking us on this journey with you!💜💜💜

[@drogers]

Thanks Dawne! I’m so glad you enjoyed it! I’ve taken out so many inappropriate items this year at the PC but it makes me feel good that they go to charities too. I thought it would be helpful to see that. Isn’t it funny that I got Sharon’s filler? And that I recognized it!!!! So fun! We actually got to meet today at the Baltimore PC! So fun! Thanks for watching! Have a Merry Christmas!🎁 🎄💕

[@fedwards2023]

Hi Denise and Friends, Thank-you for taking the time to explain in detail what happens at the PC. I loved Connie's stories, especially highlighting the "Goalie Gloves". I have now added these to my shopping list for 2022. I also loved the pictures of your favourite gifts - so many inspiring ideas. However, I wondered was the Hot Wheels jar made of glass - i.e. an inappropriate item? TFS!

[@drogers]

Hi Fiona! I’m glad you enjoyed it! The jar the matchbox cars were in was plastic! We loved that this little boy will have something to store his cars in! Great idea! I bet your 2022 list is growing! Thanks my friend for watching! ❤️

[@melodymills5432]

Loved seeing the processing center. Hoping to volunteer at one someday. How do you go about volunteering at one?

[@drogers]

Pay close attention to the Samaritan’s Purse website. There will be a sign up date. You have to login in right when it’s available online because spots go fast! I’ll also highlight the date on my channel. It’s a great great experience! I highly recommend it!

[@Lillybidillie]

Good stuff

[@drogers]

Thank you!

[@batmansboxes4936]

Thanks for sharing this!! In preparation for next year, I know that liquid glue is a no no but how about a putty glue? I have some wood car kits that require glue so I was wondering if that’s allowed!

[@drogers]

Hi Jeannie! I’m honestly not sure about putty glue. If it is not liquid, I think it would be ok though. I know silly putty is allowed. To be sure send a quick email to [e-mail] They reply usually within 2 days. Hope that helps! The kits sound really cool so I hope the answer is yes!!!!