It's shoebox time again!

[babster]

Reading the stocking fillers threads has just reminded me.

There are several charities organising it, but Operation Christmas Child is here to give you the jist of it...

babster very worthy causes.
I always get my children to help me fill the boxes with stuff for the kids.

Not wishing to put a dampener on things but I know of several schools that don't this anymore because of the organisation's hardcore Evangelical Christian slant, pamphlets and propaganda to muslim kids and parents in Chechnya, that sort of thing. There was an article in the Guardian this time last year about the background of the organisers ( think they donate to George Bush or something) which made me decide not to do it again, I'm going through work and giving a present to a local child in need (of which there are rather a lot, sadly).

We do this through my ds school. I think it's a great idea and it made ds realise that there are children who aren't as lucky as him. Last year was the first time we did this when he was in Reception and he was brilliant choosing things he thought another little boy would like. We bought a few new things but he also put a few of his own toys in the box. We are currently putting stuff together for this years appeal.

We've done boxes for 6 years now and each year I think that I can't be arsed but then I read the leaflet that we get which makes me cry. However having read marialuisa it makes me think that we should be doing stuff for children in our own country if what you say is true, George Bush is a complete nutter IMHO and wants to influence the world with his christian beliefs. Minor rant there.

I used to do this at my last school, and I have just seen leaflets go out at this one too this year. I think I will do one on DD's behalf (she's too young herself) this year.

I used to do this at my last school, and I have just seen leaflets go out at this one too this year. I think I will do one on DD's behalf (she's too young herself) this year.

i did a box last year and dropped it off to Kwiksave garage! I think it was for children in Afganistan (terrible memory) and dd and i put things in together..a musical little book and hat, gloves,crayons...............it made me cry to think of some little baba having them.........I do hope i'm talking about the same thing!!!

Ummmm that is an awkward conundrum if the organisation aims to force their evangelical beliefs on third world families.....as for supporting George Bush - tell me I didn't hear that!

Still, on balance I will still contribute to the box that we are doing through our NCT mums and toddlers tea group. Some child somewhere will get some real pleasure from it.

It shames and saddens me that first world countries do Sweet F A for the third world. Not that I am so delusional that I think this will make a major difference, but every little bit helps I suppose....

Incidentally - apart from my dd's presents, I'm going to go for ethical purchasing for all my other presents (to family and friends) - i.e. fair trade goods etc.

Sorry I will shut up now, sound like a holier than thou do gooder.

Message withdrawn

Some organisations put in Christian literature, some don't. For example Blythswood DO put in leaflet and a book, some organisations don't - I'm fairly certain Operation Christmas Child don't if the box is going to a predominantly Muslim country. Don't quote me on that yet, I'm just going to check.

Don't get me wrong, I have all the direct debits etc set up, I just like to be careful what I'm giving to and ultimately don't feel that it's appropriate to use kids in this way. There are plenty of other ways to spread a little happiness and good will.

Twinkie - agree; I do it purely because of thiose children who get at least one pressie to open that Christmas. I know I ought to think of the things behind it really but it's just the kiddies I really think about.

I don't have any shoe boxes (I throw them out)
But I'd like to do it. Where can I get them? Presume shoe shops no good as they have to put the shoes in them

CountessD, Lots of people don't take the shoeboxes when they buy a pair of shoes. So the local shoe shop may well be able to help.

I find this one really difficult. Ds has just come home with the leaflet and if full of enthusiasm. However I worked for a charity one summer in Romania. It was a religious charity (a smaller one) and the long term workers wanted to try to get it closed down. At one point we went to a large garage which was used for storage and the whole thing was piled up with donated goods and "shoe boxes". Some were a couple of years old. The organisers just didn't bother to distribute them. There was some talke about the carers at the orphanage resenting the kids having stuff when their own didn't but basically I think it was just a big con. It really opened my eyes to the way some charities work and made me really cynical. I do still try to do my bit but prefer not to just hand money, gifts etc over now try to make sure I know what is going where.

but I don't want to upset DS or dampen his enthusiasm so I will probably do it (had to buy his new shoes today as well so he's armed with the box!) but I'm not totally happy about it although the IDEA of it is wonderful.

Oh Katherine that is terrible.
I will still be doing my box and I will just hope that it gets to where it belongs and makes a child happy.

Excuse me for mentioning this, but what is wrng with putting a religious slant on this? After all we are talkinh about a 'Christmas appeal', if that isn't supposed to be Christian what is it??

By the way I am jewish, therefore I don't celebrate Christmas (Offically!)

The church my parents go to does a christmas box thing for needy families in the local community, regardless of religion or whether they go to the church or whatever. Don't know where they get the names from.

Couple of years ago my mum found out about this family where the mum had died and the dad didn't have much money so she made them up a box with presents for the kinds and she also put nice things for the dad in like some beers and a book or something and put a note that it should go to that family. All anonymous. I think as it was a local thing it's much more likely to go to the right people.

There was a thread a week ago about a teenage mum and someone not knowing how to give her something without seeming patronising. It would be really good to do something local and get people to volunteer to make a box and then to give them an actual anonymous family profile (like dad plus daughter age 4 and son age 6) so you could actually get somthing useful for them.

I sometimes feel with these overseas boxes that someone who is hungry and cold might have more pressing needs than a Bob the Builder puzzle, however much of a welcome distraction that might be. I prefer to give cash to the bigger charities and NGO's so they can have more of an impact and Katherine's comment has only reinforced that view. Does anyone know of any more local or personal charitable things? I'm not a church-goer so would not know of anything like the scheme my mum does in our area.

Locally in Colchester there are a couple of things that the local radio organise. Operation Santa Claus, which is a weekend of auctions. Local business give prizes that are auctioned off (everything from a £25 dry cleaning voucher to a new car), then the proceeds go to local town based childrens charitys - such a the local womens refuge (new toys for the children there) etc. Last year raised about £15k and since it stays in the vicinity I think it's great.

Also the local ASDA (maybe other supermarkets too) has a place where you can donate a toy or a food item which again go to the local charitys, sometimes the childrens hospital, othertimes the old peoples homes.

Personally I try to buy an extra whatever when I'm shopping as you don't notice it, I also do it at Easter with eggs.

I am planning a clear out of some of dd's toys which will go to a Charity shop and raise money that way.

I like to make charity work a part of our Christmas tradition now. We usually buy mince pies and things for our local homeless shelter. And this year I can get dd involved in the shoebox appeal, so I can teach her the importance of giving. Also, with a new baby on the way, we've asked relations not to buy for it as we don't need much, but to send us money instead which we'll donate to Oxfam. Far better than receiving hundreds of babygrows or duplicates of things!

Nothing is wrong with putting a religious slant BUT proselytysing(sp) to young children is distasteful IMO. everyone gets very emotional about the kids in Afghanistan?Chechnya etc not getting any Xmas presents, in fact they wouldn't expect any because they're Muslim! Yes, i know plenty of non_christians that celebrate Xmas (although was jealous of my Jwish cousins having Chanukkah!!)but there's a difference between that and using it as a way to spread Evangelical Christianity (and line Dubya's pockets at the same time). So, through my work and parish (I'm a practicing RC) I give to children for whom Xmas is culturally meaningful.

Realise this is not a popular view but....

I have organised the operation xmas child appeal for the nursery where I work as I feel that not only is it a worthwhile cause, also the children really enjoy the thought that they are directly giving something to a less fortunate child. Many of them have given one of their own toys which makes it even sweeter.Although the organisation do have a religious slant, I still feel that it is a good thing to do. The boxes are given out whenever possible, not necessarily on Xmas day, and to children of any religious background. I agree that there are probably children in this country who are just as needy, but the media concentrates on the foreign cases.

Ohhh - somebody reassure me after Rachel's post that the Operation Christmas Child Boxes will get to the intended recipients!!!

Some of the children at my last school put in cards and letters with their name and address on; several got replies - so at least somebaody did get their boxes.