This month, many of us have been thinking about what we are grateful for. My list is very long, but at the top is the fact that I have a loving family, and that Justin & I can provide whatever Shane needs. So many children in this country don’t get what they deserve- and not at the fault of their families. It’s just that so many families right now are struggling, between lay-offs and cut hours and reduced pay; between climbing costs for food and clothing and even utilities. So while I’m scouring for the best deal on the season’s hottest toys for Shane, I know that all around me, there are parents just trying to scrape up enough money to ensure that there is one present for their child under the tree.

Because I review toys, Shane does get more toys than most children. This makes it even more important to me to make sure that he understands that there are other children out there who have so little. I donate clothing & toys year-round, and briefly discuss what I am doing with him, but he’s never really participated, only listened. So when I learned about Operation Christmas Child, I knew that this would be the perfect way to get him involved.

Operation Christmas Child is a program that collects shoebox gifts and distributes them to families in need all around the world. Anyone can get involved, and it’s easy!

1. Choose a recipient: Decide if you want to give your gift to a child that is 2-4, 5-9 or 10-14 and whether you want to give to a boy or a girl. {You can also do as many boxes as you’d like.}

2. Fill it up: Go to the website to download and print the instructions and labels needed to complete your box. They have a list of good gift ideas- and remember, everything has to be able to fit into a shoebox! {Although you’d be surprised by how much you can fit!}

3. Send it Off: They have several drop-off locations- collection week is this week but you can also send it in. Once you’ve packed and dropped off your shoebox, you can donate $7 online to follow your box donation and see where it goes!

Shane & I went to Target to find some great items to include. I let Shane help me choose what to give, and I was pleasantly surprised at how well he did with giving the toys away. I thought that he would want to keep everything or that he would ask for things for himself, but he actually got very excited about helping me choose gifts. Instead of asking me to buy him a toy, he would ask me to get it for the little boy our box was for. It really warmed my heart.

Once we had our gifts home, Shane couldn’t wait to put it together! I wrapped the box up & Shane helped me put everything inside. He was smiling the whole time, knowing that he was going to be making another little boy’s Christmas a happy one.

This holiday season build a box with your family to teach kindness, compassion, and generosity.

BlogFrog will match the first 200 boxes that are built.  Pledge your commitment below to build a box today on Facebook or Twitter!

This is a sponsored conversation written by me on behalf of Operation Christmas Child. The opinions and text are all mine.