Operation Christmas Child shoeboxes

[pansmermaidzlagoon]

VickiVM - thank you - that is exactly what I am looking for - helping without the politics!!!!

I still love the idea of the shoeboxes...maybe I could even find something local.....it is getting kinda close...

 

[chell]

I love the idea of this - was ready to plan filling the shoeboxes - then I went online and saw that they also request $7 per box to cover "shipping and evangelicalistic outreach". Wanting to know where my money would go - I investigated further and found I don't like or support their beliefs or policies: "Islam is evil"....the whole condom/HIV thing......guess I will find another outlet......the overall idea is awesome - and I would love to do this - IF I could send the shoeboxes alone or just send money for shipping. I would have no problem with this - but can not send one dime of my money to support their evangelical endeavors.....

anyone know of something similar without the requiring you send money to support the goupr/policies - or a group doing so with better policies?????

(Also, did not rate well at BBB due to non-disclosure etc)

The money is NOT required. There are a lot of people who send boxes without money and there are people who send money to help cover the cost of shipping for those boxes missing money.

There are a lot of people who do not agree with all of their policies, so don't feel bad about that. If you are interested in sending a box but do not want any of their mailings later make sure you do not include your address or include on there that you do not want ANY mail from them.

 

[kbkids]

I love the idea of this - was ready to plan filling the shoeboxes - then I went online and saw that they also request $7 per box to cover "shipping and evangelicalistic outreach". Wanting to know where my money would go - I investigated further and found I don't like or support their beliefs or policies: "Islam is evil"....the whole condom/HIV thing......guess I will find another outlet......the overall idea is awesome - and I would love to do this - IF I could send the shoeboxes alone or just send money for shipping. I would have no problem with this - but can not send one dime of my money to support their evangelical endeavors.....

anyone know of something similar without the requiring you send money to support the goupr/policies - or a group doing so with better policies?????

(Also, did not rate well at BBB due to non-disclosure etc)

You know - you could make your box without the donation. The kids still get the stuff - you're not sending money to something you don't totally support.

 

[Tink&SquirtsMom]

The $7 is a donation to help with expenses. You do not need to give it. If you do not want to. The boxes are delivered by Christians with a story of Christmas to people of all religious backgrounds.

That said, I know some people have been surprised that this is a Christian operation but they certainly do not hide that fact. It is all over their literature.

As far as "Islam is evil" this is a comment from their website. Can you tell me how you got that impression? I also don't know what you mean by the whole HIV/condom thing. Can you tell me what about their HIV program you are against?

Samaritan’s Purse has been delivering unconditional humanitarian aid to Muslim people for more than 20 years: for example, in Iraq, Somalia, Jordan, Afghanistan, Sudan, Egypt, Lebanon, Indonesia, Kazakhstan and Iran.
Samaritan’s Purse works in many countries with Muslim populations or where Islam is amongst several religions practiced by the local population. We dispense humanitarian aid - and shoeboxes via Operation Christmas Child - to all, irrespective of their race, political background or religion.
For example, Samaritan’s Purse has been active in Iraq, providing supplies and equipment to Al-Yarmouk Hospital in Baghdad. To quote its director, Dr Mahdi Jasim Moosa, who is a Muslim, interviewed in Christianity Today about Samaritan’s Purse:
“They were very easy to work with. Please, tell them we’re so grateful. They said they would be back - and we hope they come back. Workers with Samaritan’s Purse didn’t preach or attempt to convert people”.
This comment, from a Muslim directly experiencing how Samaritan’s Purse operates, far outweighs the opinion of those who fail to understand the reality of our aid operations and our all-encompassing approach to anyone who needs help.
At the end of 2003 Samaritan’s Purse leader, Franklin Graham, was asked by the Muslim President of Sudan, Omar el-Bashir, to visit Khartoum and participate in discussions aimed at helping to end the civil war in that country. This reflects the contribution that Samaritan’s Purse can make in situations where humanitarian aid is required and where constructive dialogue can help Muslims and Christians live in peace.

 

[chell]

You know - you could make your box without the donation. The kids still get the stuff - you're not sending money to something you don't totally support.

Plenty of people do it this way and it is not looked down upon if anyone is concerned about that.

 

[chell]

The $7 is a donation to help with expenses. You do not need to give it. If you do not want to. The boxes are delivered by Christians with a story of Christmas to people of all religious backgrounds.

That said, I know some people have been surprised that this is a Christian operation but they certainly do not hide that fact. It is all over their literature.

As far as "Islam is evil" this is a comment from their website. Can you tell me how you got that impression? I also don't know what you mean by the whole HIV/condom thing. Can you tell me what about their HIV program you are against?

The "Islam is evil" is from something Franklin said shortly after 9/11. Now that I can freely say it, I do not support the man or his beliefs but I do support the work done by the organization. They do a lot of great work and reach many people in the name of Christ. And they really do keep administrative fees to a minimum.

 

[Saphire]

It is true you absolutely do not have to send any money, that its optional, you can just send the shoebox. I know they include some general material for the children about God's love, etc, but do not get into anything controversial. I think this is a wonderful program.

 

[pansmermaidzlagoon]

that's great - the online info didn't seem to say anything about it being optional - or I missed it - again, I have no problem giving enough to cover shipping!!!!

the stuff on Islam and HIV seems to pretty widely attributed to Graham...

 

[Tink&SquirtsMom]

Thanks for clearing that up. I tend to stay away from what the big talking heads say (Dobson, et all) since it makes me mad. I had literally never heard these complaints about Smaritans Purse (Graham yes, but the organizations work no). And it surprised me.

I read back through my post and I think it sounds confrontational. So not what I intended. That may be because as a Christian, working in Africa against AIDS I hear similiar comments about our efforts in helping Muslims. When in my case we are trying to help anyone we can regardless of belief, and are not preaching or trying to convert them at all. Just help.

 

[chell]

that's great - the online info didn't seem to say anything about it being optional - or I missed it - again, I have no problem giving enough to cover shipping!!!!

the stuff on Islam and HIV seems to pretty widely attributed to Graham...

If you just want to cover shipping I believe that is $5 and place a note with your money stating that you only want the money to cover shipping - they will then enter the money into their system that way.

 

[shortbun]

OK, this is a perfect project for my son this year. We have 3 shoe boxes I had put in recycling for the week. I'll ge them out. Can anyone tell me if the churches add religious information to the boxes? This is an international mission, right? What about books? Can we assume that these children speak and read English? We'll probably stick to non written information this time unless someone knows for sure.

 

[chell]

Thanks for clearing that up. I tend to stay away from what the big talking heads say (Dobson, et all) since it makes me mad. I had literally never heard these complaints about Smaritans Purse (Graham yes, but the organizations work no). And it surprised me.

I read back through my post and I think it sounds confrontational. So not what I intended. That may be because as a Christian, working in Africa against AIDS I hear similiar comments about our efforts in helping Muslims. When in my case we are trying to help anyone we can regardless of belief, and are not preaching or trying to convert them at all. Just help.

That is wonderful! Keep up the GREAT work!!!

 

[chell]

OK, this is a perfect project for my son this year. We have 3 shoe boxes I had put in recycling for the week. I'll ge them out. Can anyone tell me if the churches add religious information to the boxes? This is an international mission, right? What about books? Can we assume that these children speak and read English? We'll probably stick to non written information this time unless someone knows for sure.

Usually the church collection point does not add anything religious to the boxes. But Samaritan's Purse does distribute a booklet talking about God's love for them when the shoe boxes are distributed. It is nothing pushy and you can obtain a copy if you contact the offices and request one.

The majority of the boxes do reach international destinations, so most of the children can not speak or read English. Many can not even read their own language.

 

[Tink&SquirtsMom]

That is wonderful! Keep up the GREAT work!!!

Thanks. I go back there a week from today.

 

[pansmermaidzlagoon]

oh - the explanation on HIV: what I read is : Graham feels that Christian Church is the key to stopping/slowing HIV - not condoms or medicine".....I have no problems with working on it through religion - but if he is saying no to condoms or medicine and to work through it on Christianity alone - that is terribly short sighted and dangerous to me!

I know the organization does alot of good - but the more I dig into Graham's info - and other info..I don't know....overall, think I will go another route.....

 

[SunFloridaDisney]

My kids school does something very similar, but it stays here in our state. We send shoeboxes full of toys, books, and small clothing items (socks, etc.) to the appalachian region of KY where there is such severe poverty. The kids are encouraged to prepare a box for another child their own age, and sometimes they have written notes to the kids. It really is a great thing. We do this through working with a local church in that area that distributes them.

 

[Tazicket]

This is our second year participating in Operation Christmas Child. Last year, we did a box for a girl, so this year our box was for a boy. DH had a blast picking out things for the boy who will be getting our box. We also use the rubbermaid boxes instead of shoeboxes (we have a small condo and don't really have room to save shoeboxes!) We submitted our box a couple of weeks ago. I think the deadline is either this week or next week for our church. We pray over the boxes in the morning service and then they are delivered to our local drop off point. It feels really good to know that there's a little boy in need who will receive that box and have some new toys to play with.

 

[VickiVM]

It's just wonderful to see so many people with a desire to help others around the world!! If you don't feel this particular organization is for you, don't stop looking. There is something out there that you can feel proud to put your heart and financial support into and feel good about.

The important thing is just to simply give - no matter the gift - that is the most authentic message of Christmas. God gave a gift of his Son and gave the world the best illustration of the beauty of giving!!

 

[Zippa D Doodah]

The money is NOT required. There are a lot of people who send boxes without money and there are people who send money to help cover the cost of shipping for those boxes missing money.

There are a lot of people who do not agree with all of their policies, so don't feel bad about that. If you are interested in sending a box but do not want any of their mailings later make sure you do not include your address or include on there that you do not want ANY mail from them.

You beat me to it. It is not necessary to send money. But everyone should be informed that this IS a Christian organization and they DO include information about the Christian faith in many of the shoeboxes that are delivered. If that is a problem for someone they probably should not participate in this ministry IMO.

 

[Zippa D Doodah]

I am so geeked up this year about the opportunity to go and volunteer for a day at the OCC main distribution center in Charlotte in December (about an hour from my house). Some youth from our church are going and I'll get to go along as an adult leader. I have been to the headquarters in Boone. I've heard the size of the operation in Charlotte is jawdropping in scale and comparison.