Operation Christmas Child - again, sorry!

[titchy]

Along with many others I have a vehenent objection to my school involving itself with this organisation, so emailed our head.

She has just replied saying that her research has shown that they have calmed their ideas down since all the previous bad publicity. She also said that our LEA, and the DCSF, who provide guidance have not told schools to boycott this organisation - and also apparetnly Princess Anne visited them last year so they have the backing of the Royal Family...

I want to reply, but adding some facts about her comments above - does anyone have any facts and figures (recent ones) that I can throw at her.

I also want her to agree to let parents vote on a charity the school can work with, rather than just asking that they support this one (apparetnly all parents can get information abuot OCC becuase of the Freedom of Information Act and therefore they can make their own judgements ).

Any thoughts?

TIA

Oops sorry for typos

Our school makes all charitable giving voluntary.

The children vote to choose the charities, not the parents. This year they have supported WaterAid, FoodAid, Poppy Appeal and Christmas boxes. But it is all voluntary and no one HAS to give if they don't want to.

Just print out a copy of their leaders newsletter. It contains all the facts you will need. The content is absolutely appalling. These are not just allegations, they are the admissions of their leader, written only a month ago. Ask your head teacher if she is prepared to endorse the blatant indoctrination of kids described in this document.

I emailed ds's head with a link to the newsletter - I quoted one of the more choice phrases in my email. I also linked to the OCC site (which is different) and quoted the bit about them including info about the birth of Jesus if appropriate (the newsletter of course says something completely different).

I had an immediate response from the head saying that they will not be using them in future. I am a Christian and ds is at a Christian school but I absolutely hate the selective and evangelical nature of this 'charity'.

I did incldue the October newsletter from the leader - she still thinks it's a good idea to continue to support his charity - it's a top 50 fundraiser dontcha know

My DCs' school does this, but we don't participate. DH and DCs are Catholics and I'm Anglican but I really object to the pushy evangelical nature of this - also the making children 'make commitments' and giving them certificates when they 'complete' courses - that isn't my idea of Christianity at all.

titchy,
If your headmistress still wants to support this "charity", I would suggest that she sends parents a copy of Franklin Graham's October Newsletter, so that parents know exactly how their contributions will be used.

There is more UK-specific and current info here: sites.google.com/site/occalert/

I had no idea that this was a religious thing. I liked the idea and had started to fill a box buy I dont want it used for evangelical purposes.

Very upset by this, my dd's school does this every year and this is the first time I've been aware of the evangelical nature of it. I had read about it on MN before and asked the organiser about it. She said there was nothing underhand about it and they definitely didn't include christian literature in it. I know she is a bit thick, but I don't think she knows. She soon will once that link hits her inbox. My dd and dh are both catholic, but know my views on missionary(ism). she will be upset but hey ho, it won't be the first time I've caused her embarrasment. The thing that really gets my goat, is after filling the box you have to give a donation of 10 francs. If you don't give the donation, your box doesn't get sent.

Thanks someguy that's great.

kreecher - actually I think most shoebox appeals (even non-evangelical ones!) require some money to be taped to the box to cover their transport costs.

SomeGuy - thanks VERY MUCH for that link. I would urge people to scroll down and watch the video of "Evangelism in action". I'm genuinely quite horrified.

I also feel sorry for people I know who recently told me about OCC. I thought it was a lovely idea and I have seen them getting their shoeboxes together with their kids and was thinking about doing the same. I'll let them send the boxes off this year because I don't want to burst their bubble but will mention it in the New Year. Perhaps I could find an alternative scheme that doesn't try to push Christianity down impoverished peoples' throats for the bribe of a plastic doll.

Anyone know of an honest alternative? Or maybe donations towards generally relieving the poverty would be more appreciated in the long term?

I have declined to participate in DS's school's appeal, and have raised objections to it being done by my employer (with them funding the logistics contribution). It just doesn't feel right to me.

not sure how much of the money goes to transport costs and how much goes to pay Franlin Graham's $535,000 salary...

glasjam - schools around here use the Rotary club's shoe box appeal - they distribute the boxes year round.

The Rotary do a scheme which is non-religious.

Thanks MrsGently and MollieO - will look into the Rotary Club's version and maybe point my friend in their direction next year.

i went to see the dc's school head teacher about this earlier this week, as the occ shoeboxes were due to be picked up this thursday. she was horrified about it but said the decision is out of her hands as it's a local authority selected charity, but she did say she would contact who was dealing with it to discuss it further.

so, that means every school in our county collects shoe boxes for samaritan's purse.

lucykate that's dreadful. I would contact the LEA. I'm lucky that ds is at an independent school so the decision is the head's alone.

As for an alternative, our school has supported Mary's Meals and I am struggling to find much wrong with them (except the transport costs of the backpacks).

We filled 3 backpacks last Christmas and will again this year. It seems so much more useful, as well as ethical, than OCC.

I'm also an (Evangelical) Christian, but SP put my back up very badly. I would never give to them, including through my church, who do support them (despite my protests!)

I contacted my son's private school, which has been doing it for a few years, and they said another parent had just given them the same info and they will look at something else for next year.

Result.

I like the look of Mary's Meals although having to buy a backpack must add significantly to the cost. The thing we liked about shoeboxes was everyone has them and it is fun for the dcs to decorate and fill them.

The Rotary Club one looks fine to me, they are a big name that won't scare the headteacher and the concept is fairly similar to Operation Christmas Child.

SomeGuy you're not in Berkshire are you?

No Mollio. I guess parents everywhere are complaining about these ghastly bigots.