A Favorite Story from Our 2013 Spur of the Moment OCC Packing Party

I will be bringing a complete photo essay to you in the next couple of days of our Spur of the Moment Operation Christmas Child packing party, but I just wanted to stop by and share my favorite story my daughters and husband shared about the party.  We are always reading how the perfect box gets delivered to the perfect child on OCC distributions.  Now we have one of own about the perfect filler being packed by the perfect child.

Packing a special friend.
By the way it was "WACKY" night so she was wearing a wacky mask.

If you have been following our series of this packing party's preparation you'll remember we sent out a request on Facebook for stuffed animals. My daughter posted "...We are especially in need of small stuffed animals (think the size of Beanie Babies). If there is one you or your child is willing to part with (provided it is in like-new condition) it would be a great help to our shoebox packing party!"  That Wednesday a little girl who had not been able to be in AWANA club this school year yet came running up to her with a huge smile.  My daughter began exclaiming how great it was to see her when the little girl stopped in tracks and said,
"oh no, I forgot the animals," turned and ran back out of the room.  She returned a few minutes later with a bag tied up that contained stuffed animals from herself, her mom and her sister.

When she was packing her box last night my daughter heard her gasp as she reached and picked up a stuffed animal.  She began to cry.  My daughter ran up to her and asked if she was okay, and she said, "this is mine" (she is a quiet girl of few words).  Elizabeth asked her if she wanted it back, she said, "No, but it can go in MY box.  It will go with MY letter."  The little girl was overwhelmed with how personal it made the gift she was sending.

If you remember we divided our fillers by age and sex--there were six boxes this particular animal could have been put into.  Also, Elizabeth said this little girl was near the end of the line of girl boxes being packed.  But when it was her turn to pick a stuffed animal hers was there to give.  I love a good story!

For other behind the shoeboxes stories, check out our guest posts series:  Why I Pack Operation Christmas Child Shoeboxes.