Dear Open Arms Families,
The season of giving is here, and we are so excited to share that Open Arms will be taking part in Samaritan’s Purse Operation Christmas Child! This year’s goal is 66 boxes, but we are aiming for more.
Each classroom will be filling six shoeboxes for a specific age group chosen by the teacher. These boxes will be sent to children around the world — bringing them joy, hope, and a reminder that they are loved.
We’re asking each family to help by contributing a few small items to fill our boxes.
Ideas include:
- Small toys
- Hygiene items
- School supplies
- Accessories
- (Please no candy or liquids.)
🎁 We ask that all items be in by November 20, 2025, to ensure they reach each child in time for the holidays.
This is one of the many ways Open Arms loves to reach out and help others — showing children the true spirit of giving! Thank you for helping us make a difference, one shoebox at a time. 💕
With gratitude and holiday cheer,
The Open Arms Team
Train a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not turn from it. Proverbs 22:6
At Open Arms we want our children to know and understand that they are part of a larger world. God stepped out of Heaven to walk the earth with us, the baby grew into the man Jesus who took all of our sins onto Himself. Jesus subjected Himself to death on the cross because He loves us. He loves us so much that He would rather die on the cross for our sins than live without us.
When we accept the amazing gift of God’s love and sacrifice we realize that we are nothing without Him and that everything we have really belongs to Him. God has blessed us beyond measure.
While on earth Jesus told us that the poor will always be with us (Matthew 26:11; Mark 14:7; John 12:8). He also told us to love our neighbors as ourselves (Matthew 22:38-40; Mark 12:31; Luke 10:27; Romans 13:9; Galatians 5:14; James 2:8). This is where the Good Samaritan Initiative comes from.
Throughout the school year, we showcase a different children’s charity to bring awareness and support to that organization. Sometimes we are looking for donations of needed items, such as school supplies or clothing; other times we are asking for monetary support and always we are asking for prayer support.
Some of the charities we have sponsored in the past include St. Jude’s Research Hospital, 4KenyasKids and Special Olympics.
This school year we are supporting the following charities:
North Fulton Community Charities:
North Fulton Community Charities assists residents living in North Fulton serving the cities of Alpharetta, Johns Creek, Milton, Mountain Park, and Roswell with short-term emergency needs. NFCC collaborates with many local providers to provide the resources necessary to help individuals and families remain stable in our community. NFCC provides services in English and Spanish.
The Food Pantry provides food assistance to individuals and families in the North Fulton Community. They serve more that 125 households each day, providing non-perishable foods, fresh fruits and vegetables, and meats, as well as toiletries, diapers, and other household necessities.
The Toyland Shop allows qualifying families with children aged Oto high school to “shop” for Christmas gifts for their children.
- October 2022 – Food Pantry Collection
- December 2022 – Toy Collection
- October 2022 – Food Pantry Collection
- December 2022 – Toy Collection
Operation Christmas Child:
Christ The Shepherd is a collection location for Samaritan’s Purse Shoebox Ministry.
“Let the children come to Me,· do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of God.” Mark 10:14, ESV
The mission of Operation Christmas Child is to demonstrate God’s love in a tangible way to children in need around the world. Through this project, Samaritan’s Purse partners with the local church worldwide to share the Good News of Jesus Christ and make disciples of the nations.
- November 2022 – Shoebox gift collection
Back To School:
Open Arms Family urgently needs your generous support! We are on a mission to ensure that every student in Atlanta starts the new school year with the necessary supplies. Together, we can make a significant impact by donating school items from the list below:
- Colored pencils
- Crayons
- Backpacks
- Rulers
- College/wide-ruled paper
- Tissues
- Index cards
- Plastic folders
- Erasers
- Pencil sharpeners
- Glue sticks
- Washable markers
- Construction paper
- Scissors
- #2 Pencils
- Notebooks
- Highlighters
- Blue or black pens
Your contributions will go a long way in empowering these young minds to succeed. With your help, we can create a brighter future for the students of Atlanta. Together, let’s pave the way for a successful Back To School season! Thank you for being a part of this meaningful cause.
St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital:
The mission of St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital is to advance cures, and means of prevention, for pediatric catastrophic diseases through research and treatment. Consistent with the vision of their founder Danny Thomas, no child is denied treatment based on race, religion, or a family’s ability to pay.
April 2023 – Hosting a Trike-A-Thon to raise funds to support the hospital’s needs. The Trike-A-Thon is always a fun day at Open Arms!
