We are often asked "how can we help you in your ministry of bringing the Gospel to the needy in the Philippines?" The obvious answers are that you can pray and send financial gifts but here is another creative way to help. ACTION invites you to help us communicate the message that "Jesus loves you!" to needy children, men and women, prisoners, pastors, disaster victims and others through the Gallon of Care Project.

A few months ago we wrote about the Gallon of Care project in our email newsletter. We have been overwhelmed with joy by the response from families and church groups who became involved and sent packs to the Philippines.

So you can help to. Organize your Sunday school class, Bible study group, family or office and class mates to collect the items listed below and assemble gallon gift bags. Then ship them surface mail to the Philippines. We will distribute them at camp, in prison, at Christmas parties, during disaster relief or at any time when the occasion calls for it.

Here's how:

Read last paragraph before beginning.

1. Put together gallon-size plastic zipper bags with the items listed below. Be sure that each bag has each of the items in the first list plus one of the extra items listed for a child or adult.

2. Collect the bags and box them up. You can also add to the box old eyeglasses or reading glasses because we can always use them.

3. Ship your box through a cargo shipping company* to us in Manila. Address the box like this:

ACTION Philippines
Attention SITeam
43 Cordillera St.
Mandaluyong City, 1550
Metro Manila, Philippines
Phone: 632-531-3907

4. Contact us using the form below to let us know what date you shipped your box and we will confirm by email when we receive it. If you ship using surface, it will take 1 to 2 months to get here but the timing doesn't matter. We can use gift bags like this year round.

5. We will distribute the Gallon of Care zipper bags to many kids and adults who will be thrilled to receive them.

Fill each gallon zipper bag with (do not add candy):
* 6"ruler or protractor (no longer)
* Glue stick
* Pencil sharpener
* Brightly colored pencils (unsharpened)
* Colorful eraser
* School safe scissors (not pointed)
* 24 count crayons
* Small notepad
* Small hair comb
* Small pack of tissue
* Travel toothbrush
* Travel size toothpaste
* Travel size shampoo (tighten lid)
* Face wash cloth
* Small bar of soap, preferably hypo-allergenic

Add one extra item
* For children add one of the following: Small stuffed animal, doll or Hot Wheels-type toy car
* For adults add one of the following: Small deodorant, Bible highlighter, baseball cap, handkerchief

The best way to send the collected items is using a company like Forex (http://forexworld.com). They will ship door to door at a minimal cost. We do not recommend sending through the post office because this is less reliable and subject to customs. Also do not send clothing. There are many other companies that ship to the Philippines like LBC, DHL, etc.. Be sure to shop around for the best price before you begin this project.