Operation Christmas Child Pencil Pouches 3 Ways! Which Is Best? The MOST Important Thing? OCC

[@susankeene4497]

Awesome 😊

[@tracyp.5521]

Very nice pencil pouches! Thank you for doing all these inspiring videos!

[@Rose-z4h6k]

I've been doing larger pencil cases for my 10-14yo boxes. (Sorry, former college chem instructor. I get hung up on education as the way out of poverty.) My bags are the size of small cosmetic bags. I found some really cute ones for boys that look like police cars. I put in a metal metric ruler, a protractor, compass and solar scientific calculator (one that will get you through high school math and science). Then a set of fine point markers, set of color pencils, set of crayons, and set of colored pens. Then 10-15 black or blue pens, 20-30 #2 pencils, 2 big erasers, 2 glue sticks, several pencil sharpeners and scissors. A multi-pen, a pen with a maze on the outside, a novelty pencil that writes in rainbow colors. I also put an A5 graph paper notebook and A5 sketch pad in the box. A5 notebooks will fit flat in the bottom of the OCC red and green cardboard boxes.

[@Kibatsume1]

As a teacher how do you feel about mechanical pencils?? I was contemplating adding 4 to 5 Along with several cases of lead. I have only ever seen wooden pencils mentioned

[@Rose-z4h6k]

@@Kibatsume1 This may be an area where Ms Christy may have better info. She seems to have more communication with SP. Personally, I have been avoiding them. They do have the advantage of not needing sharpened when you break the point during an exam. However, I think there are areas where they become premature garbage. When the leads run out, they eventually may become unrefillable. Then unlike a wooden pencil you have much more garbage. With real wood -- not composite -- pencils, the shavings can be burned or will biodegrade. Also, based on my own experience if you're a bit heavy handed when you write, you break the leads easily. I just tear through leads in mechanical pencils when I use them. But, I have colleagues that use nothing else. In the classroom most of my students used them -- but this was a classroom in a college in the suburbs of DC. Even folks on full finical aid could get a package of leads, if not out of their own pockets from a classmate or teacher. This is one of the areas where I wish the Lord would tell me where my box is going. I'd make different choices for a child in eastern Europe, India, Latin America or some parts of Asia versus less developed areas. Even in less developed areas, it makes a difference whether it is a rural or urban area. Often there are more educational opportunities available in the city vs a rural "bush" school. Education is so key, for the development in these countries. Especially for young women, where you are educating the next generation when you educate them.

[@Kibatsume1]

@Rose-z4h6k thank you I did not think about the advantage of the wood shavings. Think I will add 30 pencils and a couple mechanical pencils with a few refills. First year doing a box, I think they really should make them a little bigger for older kids. I will be copying your list of school supplies. You listed a few items I did not think about.

[@stephaniejoyce6896]

Binge watching all your older videos. Love seeing all the amazing little things that can be added to pencil pouches. If you're sending as fillers, even putting little bead kits, hot wheel cars, fidget toys, embroidery, jewelry, washcloths, toothbrush... I'm thinking of so many special items that many boxes sadly don't include, but our pencil pouch fillers could!

[@karinaxoxo5149]

Thank-you for another great video Christy...since you mentioned stories and prayer, I will share a story with you now that I heard when I went to the processing centre in Sydney, a lady was telling my friend and I that there was an older man helping inspect the boxes and part way through he misplaced his glasses, anyway everyone thought the worst that they had accidentally been put in a box, he searched but didn’t end up finding them... fast forward to the distribution of the boxes where this man also went and when the boxes were being unpacked there was an older child in the corner with his grandfather crying and so he went over to them and that child had gotten this mans misplaced glasses! Turns out that this child had eye problems and they had been praying for a pair of glasses and these ones fit him perfectly and were a match to his eyes! They were so overjoyed...isn’t that amazing?! That God first of all had this mans glasses ‘mistakingly’ put in a box for that particular child!

[@christym.814]

Oh, Karina, I love that story! Incredible! God does that sort of thing often, I think. But rarely do we get to see what he’s done. Thank you for sharing! I look forward to your unboxing videos. ♥️

[@gesiriechturtle2564]

Thanks for video. I'm inspired to make some extra pencil pouches this year. I got a good deal on pouches at Walmart last year for .25 ea. so I will use those.

[@christym.814]

Yay! That makes me so happy! ♥️

[@annecornine8469]

Very nice that you donate "fillers".

[@christym.814]

I’m hearing there’s a great need for fillers right now at the processing centers. Are you hearing or experiencing the same thing?

[@zhannat.2455]

Thank you for sharing the list, it is really interesting to know what other countries require for school. I like how you made the homemade notebooks 📗📘📙📕

[@christym.814]

Thank you, Zhanna!

[@ChristonLennon]

Love your Videos. Keep It up!

[@Brittany.Anderson]

I make it a point to put paper in the shoeboxes I do. I have been putting in a mini composition book (don't know the exact size). I put one in towards the bottom of the box as the notebook is flat. I put in lots of other school supplies as well.

[@christym.814]

Excellent. Me too!

[@greatergood4195]

These pencil pouches are amazing with complete school necessities and more. You know how to make a child feel special. Thank you for being an inspiration to me and others.

[@christym.814]

Thank you! To God be the glory! We should want to bless the children with more than the bare minimum. The goal is that the children will feel the love of God ❤️and want to ask him to forgive them and receive him as Lord of their life. That thought drives me. I really hope something in their shoebox gift will bring joy to their lives and point them to the Savior.

[@christinemccoy1673]

Great video. Excellent information! Pencil pouches/school supplies are so important to these children! It often means the difference between getting an education or remaining at home! I have already planned on making many pencil pouches this year and will certainly add, The Most Important Thing to my pouches and shoeboxes!!

[@christym.814]

Thank you so much, Christine! They really are fun to pack. 😍

[@saoirseoconnor5397]

Brilliant! 💖 Thank you! I'm using the list that you have on your website. I like it because then I don't forget anything. I also send filler pencil packs with small notebooks. The paper is needed for children to have something to write on.

[@ginnybruce2772]

Good content!

[@christym.814]

Thank you, Ginny!

[@thelessthanperfectvocalist]

WOW!!! So neat that you made a pouch with my list!!! Yes, she needs erasers and glue, 2 of each....but since she has older brothers, it's assumed they all share, which they do, but she can't share their notebooks because they are regular ones. She has her own pencils, too. The school, as I said, encourages art. Her oldest brother is learning guitar. She wants to learn keyboard. The school also teaches all the regular subjects.

[@christym.814]

Your sweet friends in the Philippines inspired me. I’m thrilled to learn from you about what it’s like in their school. How wonderful that they promote the arts and that you connected with them. I’m assuming they are Christians. Do you share your spiritual journey with the mom? Is Christianity embraced much where they live? Do they experience persecution at all? Those are all things that I wonder when I think about where my shoeboxes will end up. 😍

[@thelessthanperfectvocalist]

@@christym.814 The mom is heavily involved with the church, as was/is her husband. Right now, he's working away from home and only home occassionally. They need the money, but it's hard. The whole family is saved, but the little girl. She is unable to fully grasp the gospel right now, though t has been presented and we think she is beginning vto, I think the church is Assemblies of God, but I'm not sure. I know it's a Bible teaching/Believing one. They have had some minor issues, though not on the level of persecution in some places. The worship is awesome. She's sent videos .Well, the whole family is creative. I think the little girl's teacher is the one who requested she have plain paper. She LOVES to draw and ALWAYS draws all over her homework, literally!!!! We can't really "scold" her too much because the drawings are so good, thus the teacher's encouraging her.

[@tracystoaks6573]

Thank you so much for that list. I will use it a a guide. This is my first year . These videos and comments are extremely helpful for a newbie. God bless you all.

[@bluffcitybounty2122]

I love videos centered around fillers and especially pencil packs! I do a lot of those, and it's great to see what/how others do it. Would love to see an update on how your fillers packs are going. :-) Morgan

[@christym.814]

Morgan, I’m thrilled you make pencil pouch fillers too! Do you include paper with yours? Michelle and I are trying different ways to include a maximum amount of school supplies plus paper and a fun toy of some sort. No 2 are the same. The variety keeps it interesting. Michelle has made a checklist for hers and we are labeling for age/sex. I have friends come over to help me, so I’m packing in spurts. It’s very gratifying! I’d love to hear more about your pencil packs. ❤️ Fresh ideas keeps it interesting. 😊

[@bluffcitybounty2122]

@@christym.814 Yes, I do always include some type of paper! Last year I had fun making my own small notepads using Christmas card fronts as the covers. I really love to make the "wow" type of packs, which sometimes include a pair of socks, stickers, crayons, a toy, etc. I do this type in a quart sized Ziplock. You can often find the Christmas-themed Ziplock brand on clearance after the holidays. They have a fun design on them. Anything that makes it more special and festive for the child when opening is A++ in my book!

[@fedwards2023]

Hi Christy, This week I have been sourcing more pencil pouch supplies. I was in a school supply store fossicking through the clearance bins when a lady approach me with a plastic pouch. She said, "I don't know what you are looking for. But, there is a bin over there with these pouches for 40 cents." I thanked for her prompt, but was a little slow in deciding what I do with the pouches. 🤔Turns out they were a perfect size to fit in a small note book with space to spare. I have now packed several for each age group and, like a shoebox, I will be adding an age and gender label to help match the right pouch to the right child. In addition to basic / essential school supplies, each pouch contains a cardboard cut out shape to colour (dinosaurs, princesses, cats, dogs and superheros). I have also added small party favour type notepad and pencil sets to add a little extra fun factor. 🎁

[@christym.814]

Fiona, I can’t wait for Michelle to see your comment! God is moving in you in a very similar way as in our lives. We made hang tags too to distinguish out pouches and bought a big bag of plastic ties to connect the hang tags to our pencil pouches. Sounds very very similar to you!! I’m so thrilled to hear about how the Lord is leading you! I’d love to see one of your pouches. Send a picture to my email if you’re comfortable doing that. We don’t have our hang tags yet. They are being printed. But when we do, I’ll show you how our pouches turned out. We felt we had to label them because of the different age appropriate supplies. I’ve never seen that done before. I’m glad you are doing it too. May God continue to bless your packing for OCC!

[@blessingsinashoebox354]

Thank you Christy for turning pencil pouch fillers into pencil pack gifts. Adding a few simple items transform basic school supplies into something really special. These comprehensive pencil packs will complete shoeboxes that arrive to the processing centers without any school essentials. I especially love the "On the Journey with Jesus" notebook that you included. They are all truly special and of course the most important thing you included is prayer! 💖

[@judyfrazier2462]

When I put a glue stick in, I always include construction paper so they will have something to glue. Wal-Mart usually has the big packs on sale with the school supplies. I cut the sheets in half and include one or two sheets of each color.

[@christym.814]

Excellent tip!! I’ll do that. 👌🏽

[@ScotiaGirl902]

I ordered a long stapler just for making notebooks! I had a $20 gift card so it was pretty much free. I also ordered wooden cross necklaces, with a bunch of other things (can’t wait for that haul to come) if we had processing centres I would def make donation packs for them. Prayer, I knew it 🥰

[@christym.814]

Sounds really great! I would love it if you mention me or Blessingsinashoebox.com as your inspiration for the long reach stapler and cross necklaces so new people can find out about us. Also, keep having your cat in the videos. I love her!

[@christym.814]

Did you know you can hand in boxes with fillers at the same time you turn in your completed shoeboxes?

[@ScotiaGirl902]

@@christym.814 I mention you constantly lol you have so many good ideas

[@ScotiaGirl902]

@@christym.814 I'm not sure we can since there is only one processing centre in Canada

[@christym.814]

@@ScotiaGirl902, OCC has a great customer service link where you can ask about the fillers on their website. I’ve needed to contact them several times and they have gotten back to me with answers. 👍

[@angiesamuel5203]

Hello God bless you May I ask what is size of z-block bag,?

[@AishaMBudgets]

Are highlighters important for the kids? I can't imagine that they get their own books to mark in. Also, do you make your own mending kits or do you buy them? They all look the same and I wanted to make one for my kid.

[@christym.814]

I make them. Choose a small container. A breath mint tin or a zipper pouch will work. Include a small pin cushion or felt heart to put pins and needles on. Include bobbins with thread, a thimble, some safety pins, and small scissors.

[@dreaming9to5]

Obviously all this stuff is super useful but at the bare minimum for material items: pencils, paper, and preferably a Sharpener (though the poorest use knives to sharpen).

[@christym.814]

I’m really glad you said that! When I worked at the processing center, it was rare to find a shoebox with paper. Most people don’t even think about the importance of paper to a child! OR they don’t know how to fit some in the box.

[@Kibatsume1]

​@@christym.814I'm at the not sure how to fit it faze😂. First year doing the boxes I managed to fit in 180 page notebooks in all . Small SketchBooks in every box but 2-4 Thought I had it figured out how to get extra paper in until I got the rulers and the pencil sharpeners I ordered 😑 Wouldn't think such a small item would change the fit so much the top of the box said otherwise. Are we allowed to tie the box shut??

[@emilyslittlebooknook-8043]

Phillipins school list 1.Composition notebook 2. 5-8 pencils pre sharpened 3.8 crayons red blue green yellow and a few other colors 4. Pen for teacher 5.blunt tip scissors 6.plain white paper 7. Colored pencils 8. eraeser 9 ruler Special item Prayer !

[@christym.814]

Sounds perfect! ❤️

[@fedwards2023]

Hi Christy, Thanks sharing these pencil pouch examples. A few of my kids this year will receive 2 pencil pouches/tins in their Shoeboxes. I like to think of it as one for home with more fun items, and one for school with more standard/essential items. Also, I have been adding paper and binder (bulldog) clips to my older kids shoeboxes. This is in addition to novelty erasers, gel or highlighter pens and markers. Like you said, a pencil pouch can be a shoebox in itself, and they are so fun to pack.✏🎨🖍🖌🖇📏✂️🖊🗒

[@christym.814]

Fiona, that sounds really amazing! I’m really inspired by the idea of having 2 pencil pouches! I remember the thrill of getting a few new school supplies when I was a child. The idea of school supplies being boring or drab is a false notion. They are a Wow item, if we do it right! 😍

[@dreaming9to5]

@@christym.814 that's a good point. These can be items that children get really excited by!