Operation Christmas Child - has anyone successfully argued and won...

[Luna7993]

DDs school has already sent out a message notifying us to "Save Shoe boxes for Operation Christmas Child!" Last year I got in a huge discussion with head about how I thought this was an inappropriate charity. Gearing up again for another Christmas season of arguing :(
DD goes to a CofE school (we had no other option in terms of our location) so I understand why we need to support Christian charities, but I have issues particularly with OCC due to their evangelical nature, inappropriate use of aid, etc etc (google if you need more info). I'm just wondering if anyone has ever successfully got their school to reconsider supporting this group. Thanks!

[notanetter]

Yes. For the past three or four years, the school has collected gifts for elderly local residents instead, along with its regular annual collection for Save the Children that is tied to Christingle.

[notanetter]

We were in the same position as you, by the way, with regard to attendance at a CofE school - we had no alternative option.

[flowery]

Yes. It was too late to change at the time but they haven't done it since. I sent the HT loads of links and info about the evangelism, islamophobia etc and he was horrified.

[notanetter]

I can message you the text of the email I sent that more or less did the job, if you like, OP (I don't want to post it here, as it's outing). There was a little more to-ing and fro-ing; but the head simply hadn't been aware of the issues with Samaritan's Purse, and once he'd been directed to some research, he spoke to the vicar, and they agreed to change tack.

[Idliketobeabutterfly]

I think our C of E school nixed that one. My old church used to collect for that charity and always made me uncomfortable.

[Luna7993]

Thanks! Last year I sent links/info etc with ALL the arguments, and the head just wrote back and said, well, you don't HAVE to participate... great.. so now my child is the one saying "why don't I have a wrapped shoe box to bring in mummy"? How can I explain to a 5 year old about corrupt american evangelism when even our 50 year old head teacher doesn't understand it...

[FreckledLeopard]

DD's school stopped supporting it after I emailed - they were very apologetic. I can also send you the email I sent if it's any help?

[Luna7993]

Freckled that would be great if you don't mind!! I need to reword my letters this year (so I'm not just repeating myself) so would be great to hear other ideas..

[Luna7993]

and yes please notanetter!

[Idliketobeabutterfly]

To be fair the headteacher just st needs to wiki the organisation to see the issues.

[Idliketobeabutterfly]

Trussels trust do a similar scheme

[LunaLoveg00d]

I think as well you'd have more success if you suggested an alternative. School can still collect their shoeboxes but instead of giving them to OCC they can give them to the Rotary Club, Mary's Meals or Link to Hope.

[MyVisionsComeFromSoup]

I complained to our secondary school, who ignored every point I made, said that my DC didn't need to take part if they didn't want to, and there would be no inappropriate preaching to the students . In our case it was down to an individual (RE) teacher organising it, rather than a school-wide thing.

[notanetter]

Yes, lunalove - I suggested alternative schemes, including some with a Christian ethos.

[GreatBigHoo]

This is the one our (CofE) school supports:
www.msrm.org.uk/liab.html

I still have an issue with this form of charity, but at least this is a small UK organisation.

[joan12]

Like to Hope here. Good luck.

[joan12]

Link!

[drspouse]

Could you collect the items, take some lovely photos of them, and send in the photos with a flyer for the organisation they will be going to, then send it off yourself?

[eyebrowsonfleek]

Can you find an alternative?

My kids' comp do shoeboxes for a local charity that deliveries to children and women in refuges. Apparently teenagers are often forgotten in regular Xmas charity box appeals so the kids are encouraged to make them for fellow teens.

[MrsHathaway]

I argued it mainly on the basis that I didn't think it appropriate for a non-denom/community school to take part in an evangelical project, and suggested non-evangelical alternatives.

I didn't get into moral issues or other contested points; I just pointed out the conflict between the charity's stated aims and those of the school.

That tactic wouldn't work for a church school, obviously.

I think it could be more prudent to point out the inefficiency of the project compared to donations to the local food bank / Lions Club toy collection etc. Then they can have their nice collection without ludicrously sending it halfway across the world.

[horsemadmom]

I got my DD's school to stop it. What a disgusting organisation!

[lostinlego]

I complained to my sons secondary, and they agreed to change it. Instead they collected food for a local homeless centre.

[MsGus]

I read their website and it can't see the problem. What exactly is inappropriate? Because it is religious and refers to God and Jesus? Is the cause legitimate and do the presents go to children in need?

[FruitCider]

MsGus the issues go further than that do have a Google!

[BertrandRussell]

Well apart from the utter ludicrousness of shipping boxes of stuff halfway across the world, evangelizing by present giving leaves a nasty taste..........,