Shoe-box gift program aims to spread Christmas joy around the world

By Diana M. Alba DALBA@LCSUN-NEWS.COM

LAS CRUCES - Christmas gift delivery by elephant?
It's certainly not the most conventional mode of transportation, at least in the United States, but it's one way Operation Christmas Child, an effort by a Christian humanitarian group, delivers a portion of the 8 million shoe boxes of toys it collects each year for impoverished children across the globe, according to the group's website.
And this year, a number of Las Cruces churches, community groups and individual donors will be among the contributors to the project.
First Evangelical Free Church in Las Cruces serves as a collection center, a hub for the southwestern part of the state and El Paso, in collecting the donated shoe boxes.
In all, about 5,000 boxes are expected to be gathered in the region leading up to Nov. 22, when they'll be shipped to an even bigger hub in Denver, said Kathy Douglas, First Evangelical Free Church. That's up from about 4,600 last year.
From Denver, boxes head to more than 130 countries around the world.
"It's very exciting to be able to provide gifts for children in need," she said. "Some of these children have never received a gift before in their life."
Some 250,000 Operation Christmas Child boxes are destined for Haiti - a country that's seen it's share of devastation this year.
Donors buy a plastic box or find a shoe box, buy items such as small toys, candy that can't melt, games and pens and paper.
First Baptist Church of Las Cruces also participates. Brian Clayburgh,
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youth minister at the church, said it's a project the entire congregation becomes involved with. In the weeks prior to shipping the boxes, church members drop off items for the boxes. Then, the youth ministry meets to pack the goodies into boxes, he said. And other people contribute money to cover the $7-per-box shipping fee. Still others will travel to Denver this year to help with operations there.
"It's to bring some hope and joy to some children that don't really have a lot," he said.
Clayburgh said the youth group will meet tonight at the church to pack boxes.
This year is the first time that donors, if they follow a certain process, can track the progress of an Operation Christmas Child shoe box.
Douglas said her church is in its 14th year participating in Operation Christmas Child, a ministry of Samaritan's Purse, a nondenominational Christian ministry.
Some other Las Cruces churches that contribute include Bethel Bible Fellowship, University United Methodist Church, Hill Baptist Church, Central Assembly of God and Grace Bible Church. Mesilla Valley Christian Schools also participate.
Douglas said anyone interested in donating can pick up an empty shoe box at her church, 1435 Pecos St. in Las Cruces. Donations will be accepted through Nov. 22, she said. Diana M. Alba can be reached at (575) 541-5443
Help out
• For information about preparing a shoe box for donation, visit: http://www.samaritanspurse.org For information about donating a Christmas shoe box locally, contact
• Kathy Douglas: kathydouglas@q.com
• Or, First Evangelical Free Church: (575) 522-7029
This article is taken from- http://www.lcsun-news.com/las_cruces-news/ci_16602569

OnSugar Blog: Return of Lincoln Logs

 
Lots of moms like to think out loud and Carri is one of them! In her latest post on Adventures in Mommyhood, the mama experiences a bit of nostalgia while doing some holiday shopping.
It was around this time, three years ago, that I first noticed the return of Lincoln Logs.
I was at Target - in the book section, natch - and there was a big display of them across the way in the toy section. Upon further inspection, I found the isles were stuffed with My Little Ponies, Cabbage Patch Kids and Strawberry Shortcake.
"How stupid," I thought. I mean, really. Can't these toy companies come up with some new ideas?
At the time, I didn't realize that this was not stupid; it was, in fact, genius.
Fast forward (a year later) to Christmas of 2008. I was 10 years pregnant and Christmas shopping/waddling around Target between bouts of puking and crying. I noticed the Lincoln Log display again, but this time, my reaction was different.
"Oh my gosh! Kasi and I played with Lincoln Logs!" Gasp! They are real wood, too, just like when I was a kid!
I picked up the box and studied it. Yes, these are exactly like the Lincoln Logs we played with growing up! But, dang it... not for children under three. Alright, I'll leave myself a mental note. When this kid turns three, he's getting Lincoln Logs and he and I will build them just like Kasi and I did. It's going to be great!
Read about the rest of Carri's adventure, here. Want to see more? Start following Adventures in Mommyhood or start your own OnSugar Blog. It's fast, it's easy, and we just might feature your content on our site!
This article is taken from-http://www.lilsugar.com/Nostalgic-Holiday-Gifts-11887367

Lady Hillary gifts Sir Ed artefacts to museum

While discussions continue between Lady June Hillary and Sir Edmund's two children about his Rolex watch collection, another collection of significant Hillary memorabilia has a new home.
  Lady June has donated 17 items she received in Sir Ed's will to the permanent collection at the Otago Museum, which said it was "delighted" to receive the gift.
The items include the iconic Kodak Retina camera, bought second hand in Auckland in the mid-1930s and was used by Sir Ed on the summit of Mt Everest to capture the historic ascent in 1953; one of the best-known portraits of Sir Edmund, given to him by photographer Yousuf Karsh; rock shards Sir Ed collected as a memento atop Mt Everest; and a solid wooden ice axe used in the TransAntarctic expedition of 1956.
The Otago Museum has had a good relationship with the Hillarys over the years, which was a big factor in Lady June's decision to gift the items to the museum.
In 2002, Sir Ed officially opened the museum's Southern Land, Southern People gallery.
It also hosted the Sir Edmund Hillary: Everest and Beyond, an exhibition created by the Auckland Museum.
Today, Otago Museum Chief Executive Shimrath Paul said it was just astonishing that the museum had been gifted the items and said they will be displayed in the "heart of the museum".
"We're humbled to be the recipients of this important gifts ... We're custodians of something that is really priceless and iconic to New Zealand and probably the world," Paul said.
The Hillary exhibits will be on show to the public in Dunedin from tomorrow.
Both Peter and Sarah Hillary are aware of the gifting of the items, a collection that will also eventually be loaned to other museums.
This article is taken from- http://tvnz.co.nz/national-news/lady-hillary-gifts-sir-ed-artefacts-museum-3889241

Christmas Toys

The world is becoming more and more specialized and trends for children toys are changing everyday. So, if you are thinking of buying any regular toy from the store shelf for your kids as a Christmas gift, think again. You might see your kid getting completely upset over your gift because it is just another thing that every body in his friend circle already has! Remember, children today aspire for new and unique products. If you can't figure out what to buy for your little prince or cute angel this Christmas, we have brought for you some popular choices from Christmas toy catalog for Christmas 2010. Here are few of them.

    * For Xmas 2010, you can buy action figure warrior sets for kids. Video games that involve battle scenarios are also loved by aggressive children of today.
    * Girls still love to play moms to infant-shaped dolls. But dolls today look more realistic and copy actions like closing and opening eyes like a real baby, snoring and yawning like infants and even babble, gurgle and giggle as if they are real. They even wake up with noise! They are sure a perfect gift for your little girl-angel.
    * Harry Potter inspired toys such as light-up wands, Harry potter glasses and wigs, wizard robes and Barbie doll sets with princess and other costumes are hot.
    * Rock star sets with little instruments, glittery garments, retro-style cruisers with convertible tops and concert stage featuring working lights and speakers will make all children squeak with delight.
    * Robot friends that can respond to simple questions and can also keep up several conversations still surprise young children, so you can buy them one on Christmas.
    * Monopoly has been customized to suit modern kids and deals and moves are made to confirm the modern world. Rents have shot up and there are mobile phone, cheeseburgers and roller blades included in the game. This is the world that children know about.
    * Virtual pets are much wanted in the world of kids and so are video games.
    * There are hundreds of options available as learning toys for children of all ages and sports gear customized for kids for active children.
    * You can also buy a toy laptop for your little wizard.
To know more......http://festivals.iloveindia.com/christmas/christmas-toys/