All You Need to Know about Christmas Shoeboxes

It's almost the most wonderful time of the year, and we're getting the celebrations started early! It's time for us to start collecting Christmas shoeboxes for the Bread of Life children and the girls in the Girls' Home. We are in need of around 100 shoeboxes and it takes a team effort to make this happen every year! This year, we would like to introduce to one of our team members, Emily Perricone. Emily is the new Coordinator of Christmas Shoeboxes, so she is feeling the holiday spirit year-round. Here's a quick interview with Emily to answer some questions about the shoebox program:

Tell us about yourself and your involvement in DR Missions:

Hello! My name is Emily, and I have been involved with DR Missions since 2012. My first trip to the Dominican Republic was with my high school, Northland Christian High School. I have since interned in the DR 3 times and then was able to go back this past spring for a trip to introduce my husband to the nation I have come to love so much! I currently sponsor 2 incredible young men through DR Missions- Oscar and Valentine. Seeing my two sweet little men is the highlight of every return to the DR!

What are Christmas shoeboxes? Why are they special?

Christmas shoeboxes are a way to ensure every Bread of Life child and girl in the home have a special Christmas gift. For many of the kids, these small gifts become their most treasured possessions! We have such a sweet opportunity to show the love of Christ through generously giving to so many kids who might not receive any Christmas gifts otherwise.

What are the different ways to get involved with the Christmas Shoebox program?

There are a couple of different ways to get involved in the shoebox program! Most importantly, praying for the kids who will receive these shoeboxes. Our prayer is that these gifts open a door to the greatest gift-relationship with our Heavenly Father! In order to ensure every child has a gift, and to get the gifts to the Dominican Republic, it takes sponsors! We would love for you to partner with us in sending a virtual shoebox. For $25, we will put together a shoebox that includes hygiene products, sweet treats, and personalized gifts that we purchase in the DR to save on shipping. You can donate the money via PayPal or check sent to Grace Covenant. With this option, we will add you to an exclusive mailing list to receive pictures of the process of putting together the boxes, delivering them, and the kids with their gifts! For our more hands-on supporters and sponsors who want to send a gift to a specific child, you can drop off or mail already put-together shoeboxes to Restoration Church in St. Joe, where we will pick them up and get them to the DR.

If I have any questions, how can I contact you?

If you have any questions about the shoeboxes, please feel free to message me on facebook at Emily Perricone, or call me at 816-536-8840. If you want to join us in bringing joy this Christmas, please make checks payable to Grace Covenant and put "DR shoeboxes" in the memo.

Thanks Emily for answering all of our questions! We look forward to seeing the kids with their gifts in the future. Here's a little more information and links if you want to join in on the Christmas fun!

PayPal Link: https://www.gracov.com/dominican-republic

Click "Donate to Rick and Carie Bernard" and in the notes section add "DR Christmas"

More Info: https://www.drmissions.com/shoeboxes

Facebook Event: DR Missions Christmas Shoeboxes 2017

Mailing Address for Checks:

Grace Covenant International

PO Box 588

Platte City, MO 64079

Please write "DR Christmas" on the memo line of all checks! Please do not mail shoeboxes to this address.

Mailing and Drop-Off location for Boxes:

Restoration Church

Attn: DR Shoeboxes