My college graduation happened [well] before every other person had a zoom lens on her digital SLR. Okay, fine. It was [well] before the digital SLR. As a result, every photo of my graduation ceremony was taken – and looks like it was taken – from quite a distance. Mostly you can just see a sea of black robes.

But you can also see a pair of glaring white chunky tennis shoes. On my feet. Because they were comfortable.

Never mind how bad they looked (I didn’t know! I didn’t.), they kept my feet in comfort (if not in style). Yes, it’s true. I’m a fan of the practical shoe.

I’m also a fan of the practical shoebox – you know, the kind you stuff with Christmas gifts for needy kids instead of letting it take up space in your closet?

As a practical shoe person, I don’t have a lot of shoes in the first place. But I never really know what to do with the boxes they come in. It’s not like I’m really going to keep my shoes in them, lined up neatly on my closet floor. And while I’m sure they could be used for so many crafts, odds are not in my favor that will happen anytime soon. Can I really just toss them out? Recycle them? But what if I need them later?

I’m being tongue in cheek, of course – and just a little bit silly. Finding a practical use for my practical shoeboxes is not really why I love Operation Christmas Child so much.

The mission of Operation Christmas Child (OCC) is to demonstrate God’s love in a tangible way to needy children around the world, and together with the local church worldwide, to share the Good News of Jesus Christ. The program is operated by Samaritan’s Purse, a Christian relief and evangelism organization led by Franklin Graham.

And the tangible way OCC helps children is by shoeboxes filled with gifts each Christmas. The National Collection week is coming up on November 14-21. Annalyn and I will be filling and sending a box this year, but I’m also excited to tell you that I’m donating proceeds from my ebook to OCC.

All of the proceeds from the books I sell on November 8 [Launch Day] will benefit Operation Christmas Child.

So, if you needed [another] reason to mark your calendar for the release of Plan a Fabulous Party {without losing your mind}, there you go!

Are you a practical shoe person? [Please tell me it’s not just me!] And does your family participate in Operation Christmas Child?