To want to know why Mumsnetters are so against the christmas shoeboxes?

[MrsWinnibago]

As far as I can tell, it's due to the religious nature of Operation Christmas Child and Samaritan's Purse....from previous threads I've seen that people resent the fact that the volunteers pray with the kids and include religious leaflets in the boxes.

But is this really enough reason to not send a box? I can't help but think, if my kids were in a war torn country and had nothing...no toys or anything...they'd rather hear a few prayers and get their box than NOT hear a few prayers and get nothing.

Or am I missing something?

A shoebox thread! In August! Surely this is the earliest yet?

These children, who are not Christian anyway, and do not have any need for a Christmas gift, have bigger problems. Can you not perhaps make a donation to Save the Children, if you want to improve the lot of a child struggling to survive in a war-torn region? The Christmas shoebox might seem more tangible and therefore preferable to you, but rehydration treatment and immunisations will do a lot more - www.savethechildren.org.uk/about-us/what-we-do/health/health-services-save-lives

I must be bit thick as I've never associated this with religion at all.We do it at work every year and I just consider it a nice way to ensure a child with very little gets some useful and fun stuff at a time when our children have so much.

"What happens after my shoebox gift is delivered?

Our local ministry partners distribute your shoeboxes to children in their communities. In many places, a discipleship program called The Greatest Journey is offered to children after they receive their shoebox gifts. Through the program, our local ministry partners are able to establish long-term, caring relationships with children and families by sharing the love of Jesus Christ.

What is the mission of Operation Christmas Child?

The mission of Operation Christmas Child is to demonstrate Gods 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.

What is Samaritans Purse?

Samaritans Purse is a relief and Christian evangelism organization led by Franklin Graham. Read about our history here."

www.samaritanspurse.org/operation-christmas-child/frequently-asked-questions/

www.samaritanspurse.org/what-we-do/the-greatest-journey/

They are quite open that their purpose is evangelism.

I think Chillycamper puts it very well.

If you want to really help a child in a war-torn or famine stricken country, then there are many many more charities working to ensure they have food, water, shelter, education, access to healthcare, even counselling, reuniting families... the list goes on.

If you want to give a Christmas gift to a child whose parents would not be able to afford one then there are lots of local toy appeals - the one near us raises thousands every year, and very carefully targets the toy purchases - for example buying a specific selection of gifts for 9-13 year old boys as they tend to receive least from other support networks.

I have also never associated shoeboxes with religion I have just filled them with simple gifts for the age range I am sending for,along with warm socks and gloves.
As to it only being August? it takes an awful lot of logistic's to get these boxes organised and packed and then they have to be checked by hand to make sure there is nothing dangerous in the boxes,you would be surprised how many unsafe items are packed then the volunteers have to organise their time off work to deliver the lorries in time for distribution all over which ever Country they are going to so it is a very long and time consuming process.

Through Suffolk's link I have found a great alternative in link to hope which don't involve religion and ask for "family boxes" as well as "Elderly boxes" which I think is a great idea.

glammanana I am getting mine ready now as I can't go out and buy contents closer to Christmas due to budget restraints...I am happy to have found Link to Hope as they have explained the importance of the elderly people in some very far flung villages getting some nice and practical gifts. They even suggest including a candle and a holder as they often have no light. I'm starting early so I can send more. Family boxes are good too with hats and gloves for parents as well as kids and soap and small toys and games etc.

These 'charities' pushing Christianity have plenty of money in their pots to not have to rely on people making donations of shoe boxes. They prey on people's goodwill and the fact that most people don't look into where the money goes or the ethos behind the movement.

If the likes of Graham were giving their wealth away and doing what Jesus would do I'd have a lot more time for them. As it is, I don't. And I don't see why we should send plastic tat abroad.

There are other ways to help that are a lot more practical that don't push Christianity at people who don't want it.

Cat I've found a better alternative. see above.

Great.

Yes....it did say to include something nice like a wind chime or lavender bags...and dominoes or playing cards. Beads were included too and brooches as all women like something attractive. Mirrors were a priority and I will see if we can include hand cream or basic moisturiser that's good for all the family.

I dislike it because it feels like it is enforced with a nice slice of emotional blackmail thrown in for good measure.

I feel the same way about work colleagues that email all staff about their charity runs/events.

Yes, I resist this operation, and I am a Christian. It was because of a report on one area where the people distributing were saying that the gifts come directly from Jesus. I'm afraid I consider that to be an out and out lie in the name of the Christian religion - and that left a nasty taste. I pointedly support a similar scheme through Rotary instead.

Ok but what about the link I added above? To the non religious organisation

I've also supported a scheme sending boxes to serving soldiers in war zones in the past, a Greek food bank & children's centre (Desmos if you want to google) and certain Christmas ideas to the Thai/Burma orphanages. And there are harvest schemes supporting Mother & Baby homes also. Doesn't have to be a Christian angle, just a need relief angle that is trying to be ethical and upfront in its practices.

For me its not the charity aspect that stops me its the way that its pushed by either the organisation/person approaching me.

Boney I've had to search...nothing's been pushed.

Great link, MrsWinnibago - have already printed out a leaflet. Although an (irregular) churchgoer, I was never too keen on OCC - I worried about its approach.

I used to go along with it as my DC loved doing the boxes, but now we have an alternative - thank you!

....and by 'ethical and upfront in its practices', I would also take as read the need for me to do a bit of external research outside of the organisation's own website to make up my mind if I am in support of their objectives, especially information registered with the Charity Commission and whether it has a Charity registration - I would expect all, and particularly larger charities to be aware of their administrative responsibilities and the law. Sounds a bit harsh but their reports, mem and arts info etc can tell you a lot about what they really are supporting, and this has come out of some experience with arts fundraising which has been a bit of an eye opener.

Meh that's my issue...I want my DC to see how little some have and by building these boxes, it's a very clear way for them to see how little some people have.

Also dh is Aussie and had never heard of this so when we did it a couple of years ago, he threw himself into it so hard that it was good for him. He's quite self centered and this is an easy way to help. As for those who say donating to Aid charities is better, tell that to the person who is glad of their box of gifts. I won;t be putting in letters or pictures to show who sent them...I'm sure they don't want pics of strange kids!