Magi Project - 1700 boxes sent 2009!
Bearing Gifts for a Child
The Magi Project is an effort of churches and individuals around the world to share the good news of Christ's birth and life. This year many children will come to know the glory of Immanuel, God With Us. Families, youth groups, congregations, schools and individuals across the United States are preparing to share their compassion and love with a needy child by sending them a simple shoe box packed with love. The gifts that Rapha receives will be shipped to the colonias along the Texas/ Mexico as well as into Mexico and other countries.
Please encourage your congregation, friends, family members and community to become involved with the Magi Project. It's a simple act -- but it means so much to a child trapped in poverty or facing the effects of war and disaster. Like the Magi of old, you'll bring a simple gift box to one that Jesus called, "the least of these."
Magi Box Instructions
Packing Your Box
Use a medium-sized empty shoebox or shoebox-sized plastic container. If you are using the standard cardboard shoebox, wrap the lid and bottom of the box separately with Christmas wrapping paper. If you are using a plastic shoebox, place tissue paper in the bottom piece. This will allow your box to be processed and viewed by custom officers, if going overseas.
Choose to pack your gift for a Girl or Boy. Then select the age category for your child: infant-2, 3-6, 7-10, 11-14 years old. Make a label, stating the info or use the labels on the brochure. Then attach this to the end of the box.
Pack your box with age and gender appropriate gift items worth $20-$25. A list of suggested gift items can be found below.
IMPORTANT: Place $5 or more in your shoebox to help cover shipping costs. Please place your check on top of the items of your box so it is clearly visible. (If you are packing more than one box, you can make a combined donation for all boxes and put it in one of the boxes.)
Then place a sturdy rubber band around your box and lid and either ship or bring to Rapha International or to a collection point at your church or school. Please note the shipping deadlines and locations. See side-bar.
Suggested Gift Items
Toys: small toys, stuffed animals, balls, cars, dolls, yoyo's, harmonicas, slinkies, etc. (Please keep age appropriateness and safety in mind).
School Supplies: notebooks, paper, coloring books, calculators, rulers, gluesticks, crayons, pens, pencils, sharpeners, etc. For older children you might want to include a flashlight with extra batteries.
Picture Books: Please be language sensitive. Bible picture books, Christmas story books, etc. NOTE: Most recipients do not read or speak English. Health/Hygiene Items: Soap, combs, brushes, dental products, bandaids, washclothes, barretts, travel size lotion or shampoos packed in plastic zipped bags. Clothes: Due to size limitations, clothing gifts should consist of small t-shirts, underwear, a pair of socks or a baseball cap.
Candy: Only individually wrapped hard candy is acceptable; PLEASE PACK IT IN A PLASTIC ZIPPED BAG.
Note: Do not include any of the following:
Toy guns, knives or war-related items
Chocolate or perishable items
Used items
Medicines of any kind
Fragile/Breakable Items