To think we shouldnt be given an extensive list fthings we HAVE to put into our dd's 'shoe box'?

[PinkChick]

i have no problem sending one before anyone says anything, used to love doing them myself when at school.

But dd's school sent home a letter with a list of 10 things, under each of those, was at least 5 more..for example "please find below a list of things you SHOULD include in your shoe box...Toilettries : Sopa, toothbrush, toothpaste, shampoo, conditioner, bubble bath....Stationary: Pens, crayons, pencils, felts, paper, pencil charpener, pencil case....Treats: dependant upon boy or girl: childrens's toy jewellry, small cars, sweets in sealed packets....Clothing: Jumper, hat, scarf, gloves....

Now it doesnt say..please select from list, its says items you SHOULD include!??
We then need to also pay a lot towards for postage to the country its being sent too!

as i say, i like to help, but A LOT of parents wont be able to put all this stuff in!, we havent got it all in as theres no space, but dd is worried as theyve been 'told' they mst make sure they complete their lists!

Just a thought, but does the sentence just mean you "should include" this TYPE of thing... I dunno...

first of all,YANBU!!!My kids' school do this every year as an option and,I have to be honest, I DON'T do it.Simply because I would have to do this x3 for a start.Secondly,it's hard enough buying near to Christmas as it is.I am not an uncharitable person but I have to be careful too.I do think it is wrong that they haven't given you an option on this.Is this a primary school or secondary school? My kids at the moment are still in Primary so don't know if High School is different.

as PUPPYMONKEY says,are you sure she doesn't mean that "if you ARE going to do the shoebox then this is what you SHOULD do"???

Pink chick - it is just they like you to include something out of each category, definitely not every item in every category.
The contribution to delivery is optional - each box costs about 2.50 to get to its destination
(I go to Church with a lady who has coordinated this scheme for over 10 years and have checked both points with her)

hi, well not sure but ti does read "you should include the following", not 'some' of the following and we pay £2.50 separatly towards to postage..its a junior (yr1) school.

I know it would not be reading literally what the note said but i would have interpreted it as one thing from each list.

Maybe a quick phone call to the school would clear things up

Have you checked other threads about this? If it's Samaritans Purse, they are rather unsavoury- would recommend you find out more.

My interpretation of this was that you should include those items in preference to some other items that you shouldn't include which were also listed on the leaflet I got. I didn't interpret that you had to include all those things. I just read that they were what they prefered to be included and not the other items which they asked not to be included such as toy soldiers and guns and food items other than the specific ones they list, etc.
Samaritan's Purse do seem to get a rough ride on here and maybe some don't agree with their motives. But they are a Christian organisation providing gifts to children (who may not otherwise get a gift) at Christmas which is a Christian festival.

If their motives are to promote the true meaning of Christmas and Christianity as well as providing gifts then they are, as a Christian organisation, entitled to do that. If they were hiding their Christianity then that would be wrong but I don't believe they do so.
This is their mission statement from their website...

"Meeting critical needs of victims of war, poverty, famine, disease, and natural disaster while sharing the good news of Jesus Christ.

Samaritan?s Purse is committed to meeting the needs of under-privileged people through the delivery of practical every day items and necessities.

Through Samaritan?s Purse, we help people throughout the year by providing practical gifts during times of war, disaster, famine, disease and extreme poverty. You and your family, church, school or organisation have the opportunity to reach out and share God?s love with needy people in desperate situations around the world. Practical gifts are distributed to people regardless of their nationality, political or religious background"

Having checked out some of the websites objecting to Samaritan's Purse they seem to be Secular in nature so it's hardly surprising they have a problem with a Christian organisation.
If you have a problem with this then you should choose a non religious charity to support and avoid the association with Christmas. ( I find it ironic that some are objecting to gifts sent at Christmas by a Christian organisation having a Christian message attached!!!!)It seems a bit mean to condemn Operation Christmas Child as unpalatable because you don't share their motives. The motives of all the people I have come into contact with collecting the shoeboxes have been nothing but a genuine wish to provide disadvantaged children with a gift they wouldn't otherwise get.
I'm sure someone will be along shortly to condemn me as naive and blinkered but I can live with it. I like to believe that the box dd and I put together brings a little happiness to a child somewhere and I'm convinced that in the majority of cases that is what happens.

hi all..well i havent been able to include ALL that is on list anyway, but it doesnt give me a list of what not to include, so assuming, badly worded or really cheeky..no its to be sent to Romania, assuming i guess a christmas gift as dd is also asked to write boy/girl and an age, then they will 'try' and match them up when they get there?

Here you go pc - this is the original leaflet - some schools etc. don't always give you all the info!
Website gives you a bit more detail on the project too if you want it.
www.operationchristmaschild.org.uk/pages/gift-ideas

ah thats excellent thankyou, obv the school decided to type out their own version which didnt include beng given a choice of which to include...although and again im happy to do these boxes, ours is going to romania and looking at that list, it seems there are MANY other countrys who dont get anywere near the amount of boxes as them?..is it because of the size? or who needs most help at this time?..makes you want to send out boxes to each one

so would it be going through th samaritans purse charity?, or can they be separate charities sending them out?..not sure what they stand for but ahve got a bit of bad press on here?