To not bother with the Christmas shoebox this year

[Debbiethemum]

Last year we were given the shoebox to fill at home, so we did 1 for ds and 1 from dd. Decorated them and talked about why we were doing it and also could do one for dd who is still not at school.
This year they are not giving the boxes out so have to send ds in with the bits. It just seems so impersonal not sure if I can be arsed.
Opinions please,

One of the weekly magazines-either My Weekly or Woman's Weekly has a scheme where you fill a backpack with school essentials,add a pair of shorts or a skirt and t-shirt and a pair of flipflops and send them for distribution in Africa.Last year it was Rwanda this year it is Liberia.We always do a couple of shoe boxes as well.I dont think it matters about who organises it as long as the boxes get to needy children.

Those of you still debating whether to support Operation Christmas Child/ Samaritan's Purse may want to have a look at this site Operation Christmas Child Alert to make a truly informed decision about it.
You can see exactly what literature the organisation is using to evangelise with, alongside your shoeboxes.

I, like many others, have serious concerns about the evangelistic approach of this organisation.

Although the DCs school continues to support the programme, our family do not. We currently sponsor a child in Kenya, and at Christmas we send extra financial support to the organisation that is running the relief programme in her village.

Many others at our school have come to a similar decision after investigating OCC.

Read this www.samaritanspurse.org/index.php/Newsletter/october_09/.

Speaking as a Rotarian whose husband is going out to Romania in 23 days to distribute some of these boxes to orphans PLEASE DO IT !
You cannot begin to imagine the life that the children have in those orphanages, even nearly 20 years after Ceaucescu fell conditions are still dreadful.

It doesn't have to have anything pricy in it - the kids are just desperately grateful for anything they get.

www.babyaid.org/gallery.html

Oh yes, and there's nothing at all religious involved in our project, just feeding families that have nothing and giving presents to children

Amnon, I am at that - "Three girls, all under the age of 10, confessed to being involved in witchcraft, repented of their sins"

WTF?

Don't throw the baby out with the bathwater.

I am not convinced about OCC's methods (and I am an evangelical Christian myself) because while I'm all for sharing the good news, pressure tactics tied up with monetary incentives (ie gifts) do nobody any good.

Our school has given us practically no notice to put together shoeboxes for Link Romania, I was severely tempted not to bother but then read about the work they do on their website and actually felt quite moved. We live in a sickeningly unequal world and it's worth dragging the kids away from the Argos catalogue to learn a little about that.

this year the school are using a different s charity, not Samatitans purse, and the box is aimed towards the 'family'. This year we are allowed to put more in, including sweets/goodies, razors, nail clippers, deodrant, and things that would be a total luxury to some families. I am cramming mine as full as possible, and send it off fingers crossed. I just find it a wonderful thing to do.

Very interesting. We have been putting together a box for Samaritans purse via dd's church school. As an atheist, I am deeply unhappy with what I have read about that organisation but would still like to send a box.

The Rotary option looks ideal - but it doesn't seem to deal with idividuals - only groups - is that right?

The issue for me is whether or not parents are being mislead when they're asked to donate to these appeals. My school makes no mention of Samaritans Purse's evangelical motivation when asking for gifts for children in countries affected by famine. I'm a journalist and a mum - and am trying to find out whether other parents have been misinformed.

Hi everyone! For me doing a shoebox with my kids has been hugely rewarding as it gave me an opportunity to explain how well off they are compared to kids in poor countries. Sure I could have just sent money but my kids wouldn't have had so much fun choosing presents for their 'child'! I heard some schools were cancelling shoeboxes this year. That's sad isn't it, I guess loads of kids who have nothing won't miss the shoeboxes but people have lost the opportunity to show them we care

I'm sure there are less dubious ways to 'show you care'.

Try Oxfam Unwrapped, for example?

My 3yo son's take on it:

Mummy, you know we put toys in a shoebox for a little boy in africa who won't get any presents at Christmas?

Yes......

And you know how you said that Father Christmas only brings presents to good boys and girls?

Yes......

Well, that other boy must be REALLY naughty!

Why the heck have thousands of ancient shoebox threads reappeared?

The Ghost of Shoebox past?

Katie4U seems to be the one to blame... um, whatya up to, Katie?

katie got a big big wooden spoon for xmas. all the better to stir it with.