Operation Christmas Child - secular alternative?

[GeorginaA]

I'm sure this topic has been done last year, but I couldn't remember the outcome, searched and couldn't find it.

So, ds1 comes home with the Operation Christmas Child leaflets from school. I like the principle, and I think it would be good for him to focus on giving a bit more rather than receiving. However, I really dislike them being used as a vehicle for proselytising young children. Actually, dislike is an understatement - I've discovered that I really do feel quite strongly about it after looking at \link{http://www.samaritanspurse.org/their website} in more depth.

So anyway, if I refuse to do one (a) will ds1 be very left out at school for not having done one, or is it only a minority of parents that end up doing it anyway and (b) is there a secular equivalent shoebox scheme without all the literature and "ministering" to go alongside...

(and thus our paranoia of doing something wrong means we need someone to organise stuff like this for us)

Oh I'm sure a poor battered woman would be thrilled to have one of my old claggy mascaras!

There is such a thing as pride..

We've had a tough time giving away our baby clothes and equipment here in Turkey as everyone tells us that Muslims don't like secondhand stuff.

(And believe me,these people are dirt poor.)

Exactly ppt. As I said earlier,it is possible to pick holes in every form of charity.

Such a bloody minefield eh.......

Our school has switched from Op.Christmas Child to the Rotary org. Have a look here

that took ages to read!
muslims don't like second hand stuff????? what's all that about? who's been telling you that moondog? I don't suppose lots of people like second hand stuff (love it meself though) but how bizarre to say it's a religious thing.
(sorry, I know it's not the point of the thread and certainly not having a go, moondog, but I was amazed!)

We have places locally collecting boxes for forces overseas if you want another alternative. Personnaly I think they earn more than me so they can get their own stuff . I stick with childrens charities, the larger ones or local as there are so many dubious ones. Our radio station also supports a collection for local kids.

Moondog, I have had a similar reaction when trying to donate unwnated baby equipment here. I offered it to a teen mums org who didn't want it as most of their users liked modern equipment.
In the end I gave it to a lady who collects baby equipment for Eastern Europe.

Our local radio runs a scheme whereby you can take a present to their HQ or other drop off point and it will be distributed to those who need them.

I can remember my mum helping to organise something similar when she was a church goer, and rhey sent all the presents to local families with a man dressed up as Santa. it was really nnice.

we are lucky here as the big stores that are the equivalent of BHS etc - department stores have wishing trees where organisations post information about children who may not be able to have a christmas gift and people can buy a gift for example for a 10yoboy and place it under the Christmas trees - these are then distributed by people like the Salvation Army...

well, I decided not to do a shoebox after finding out some more info on OCC - look at this which is UK-specific and also this Canadian website. OCC is not something I want to be part of, but something I can see our school agreeing with wholeheartedly.

Watching breakfast TV this morning concerning the Asia earthquake and the difficulties children and families are facing there, I wish that the schools here had taken up those children as a christmas charitable project with perhaps an ongoing relationship built up.

Some schools in Bradford are doing so but I think it is amissed opportunity for others throughout the country both here in the UK and in the areas affcetd