November 16, 2013 Family Event: Help Welcome Santa to Merle Hay Mall and OCC Service Project

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Santa and Reindeers flying

MERLE HAY LONG

Join us for the next DMMB Family Event on Saturday, November 16th: 9-11 a.m. at Merle Hay Mall.

We are so thankful to Merle Hay Mall for sponsoring this event and making this FREE and EXCLUSIVE event happen for DMMB followers. Everyone is welcome so mark your calendars to join us; and tell your friends to join us, too!

VIP Santa-01Meet us at Merle Hay Mall for a fabulous family day, and be the first to welcome Santa to Merle Hay Mall! Santa will officially “arrive” at noon to the general mall, but this is your ticket to meet him early! 

Join the DMMB team at 9:00 a.m. at the Younkers Court for a VIP photo op with Santa at the set of “Santa’s Workshop.”

At 10:00 a.m. we will have Milk and Cookies with Santa!

At noon, Santa will make his grand entrance to all mall guests, and they will have free train rides, a real reindeer, Christmas crafts to hand out, balloon animals, and face painting! Spend the morning meeting Santa and all afternoon getting that early holiday shopping done! 

**Due to this special event and potential lines, any DMMB family unable to get a picture with Santa from 9:00 a.m.-10:00 a.m. will get a VIP Pass to be first in line at noon when Santa appears to the main crowd. 

Service Project: How You Can Help Us Give Back

At DMMB we hold community and service close to our hearts, and it remains the backbone of why we do what we do. We are so excited to be able to support a great cause this year for our Second Annual Operation Christmas Child Shoe Box Drive

Not only will you have the chance to enjoy a wonderful morning with your family, but you can also make a difference in the life of someone in need by participating in the donation of a pre-packed shoe box for Operation Christmas Child (see instructions below). Our team will then take them to a central drop-off location at First Family Church in Ankeny.  

About Operation Christmas Child:

OCC_logoOperation Christmas Child collects shoe boxes from all over the U.S. and distributes them to children in countries all over the world. A simple shoe box filled with toys, candies, and personal items can make a huge impact in the life of a child.

A shoe box is an amazing way to show our children how blessed we are and how sharing just a few things can make a huge difference in someone else’s life. Kids love picking out gifts to put inside and take great interest in making it perfect for a boy or girl similar to their own age. Many families track their boxes online to see where they are in the delivery process. It’s a great project in which to involve the whole family, neighbors, playgroups and more.

How to Pack a Shoe Box:

1.  Use an empty shoe box (standard size, please) or a small plastic container. You can wrap the box (lid separately), but wrapping is not required. Most importantly, pray for the child who will receive your gift.

2.  Determine whether your gift will be for a boy or a girl, and the child’s age category: 2-4, 5-9, or 10-14. Mark the correct age category on the label, and tape the label to the top of your box.

3.  Fill the box with a variety of gifts that will bring delight to a child.

4.  Please donate $7 or more for each shoe box you prepare to help cover shipping and other project costs. You can give online by using our “Follow Your Box Donation” option, or you can write a check to Samaritan’s Purse (note “OCC” on memo line) and place it in an envelope on top of the gift items inside your box. If you or your family are preparing more than one shoe box, please make one combined donation.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Where does the box go after that morning?

Our team will take all the boxes collected that morning to a central collection center at First Family Church in Ankeny. From there, the boxes are counted and taken to distribution centers here in the U.S. From there, they begin their journey overseas.

What if I want to participate but can’t join you that morning?

We’ll be sad we missed the chance to meet you but hope you’ll pack some boxes anyway! Prepare your boxes and drop them off at an area collection center anytime during the week of November 18th-25th.

We Can’t Wait to See You There!!

Have questions about this event?  Contact Jackie at [email protected]

 

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Jaclyn Strawn
Jackie is living and journeying through life with her husband, Andy, and 5 year old special needs son, Easton. Jackie has a passion on navigating life and learning as much as she can about learning differences to provide her son with as many opportunities in life as possible. She has a true heart for connecting with other moms and experiencing life together. Jackie's perfect day would include: waking up to a good cup of coffee with her husband, followed by testing a new recipe out in the kitchen, dinner with friends and capping the night off with a game night with her family.

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