As we prepare for our Shoebox Christmas season, we anticipate that the outpouring of generosity from our communities and church will provide us the ability to reach over 6,000 children with Christmas shoeboxes. With such a huge number of shoeboxes coming our way, we need all donors to please read through the entire letter and follow our recommendations of items that should (and shouldn’t) be put in the boxes. By assuring that only the correct items are in the box, it will lessen the hours spent by our volunteers helping us go through them.

To ensure that all children experience a joy-filled Christmas, we work with our volunteers to check each box to assure it is 1) age appropriate, and 2) that it has some of the standard items that the kids always look forward to, such as toothbrushes, toothpaste, hats, and globes. To be able to do this for thousands of boxes, we have several groups who help us along the way – home school groups, special education classes, members of the community, and, of course, any family member who dares to visit us during this time. We could not do this work without their help, and we appreciate your cooperation in helping make their efforts easier.

Regular shoeboxes, decorative shoeboxes, or clear, shoebox-sized boxes are acceptable. If you use regular shoeboxes, we request that you wrap the bottom box and the top lid separately in festive paper, and then place a rubber band around it. Project Shoebox boxes cannot be used. We also ask that you place a piece of paper on the outside of the box identifying the age range and gender of the intended recipient so that we can distribute them easily. We are hoping to have shoeboxes available for each of the following age groups: infant, toddler, 3-5, 6-8, 9-12, 13 and up. Please make sure to only add new toys, new age and subject-appropriate books, and please DO NOT add any clothing into the boxes except hats, gloves, and mittens. 

We look forward to receiving your shoeboxes anytime after September 1st, but no later than November 1st. We ask that when you ship your boxes, you email us at slministry@hotmail.com so that we know they are on the way. Shoeboxes can be mailed to:

3365 81st Ave. E
Sheyenne, ND 58374

Additionally, if you have members of your church or community who would like to send necessities outside of the Christmas Shoebox program’s focus, we encourage them to do so. Items like soaps, deodorants, shampoos, feminine hygiene products, washcloths, razors, ad shaving cream, etc. are always in need. Your generosity makes a tremendous difference in our community.

We are blessed by your generosity and support, and look forward to another rewarding Shoebox Christmas and a meaningful second year of ministry together.