Op here. I left this thread alone for awhile to see what would come of it, and I want to thank all of you for your opinions. I had originally posted this long response and I went back and deleted it.
So, basically, most of you (with a few exceptions) have no problem with the idea of a donation as a gift as long as the organization was one the teacher supported. Is that right? You see the overall mission as more important than the means the organization takes to pursue that mission? In this case, the fact that this is a faith-based organization supersedes the goal of teaching impoverished children to read and write. Am I understanding ya'll correctly? If I don't know which specific charities a teacher supports, I should find a secular charity that teaches children to read and write -- assuming I want to stay with the gift of reading.
Also, I feel the need to clarify a few misconceptions. This group is not a group that my family supports. I saw the gift catalog lying around and started to look through it and thought it would make a lovely teacher's gift. If we did this, it would be the first time we gave money to this group. So, we would not be making a donation that we would normally make, and calling it a gift. Also, I don't think that adding their literature to the shoeboxes is sneaky or underhanded. In fact, I thought it was SOP for organizations of this type -- both faith-based AND secular. I know many years ago when I needed to accept aid from different groups all the care packages were "topped off" with literature that stated who the group was -- their beliefs and mission, and also the other services they offered. Some of them even added flyers telling me how I could donate. (That always amused me since I was getting the items because I needed help.) Also, I do know for a fact that Samaritan's Purse does not with hold aid if a person does not accept (or share) their beliefs -- as a previous poster stated.
I also must say that I am truly saddened that a gift like this (and perhaps the family that gave it) would become the object of gossip and/or ridicule in any teacher's lounge. I am so sorry that some of you do not see what a wonderful gift a charitable donation is or that you would say it is not a "real" gift. That is certainly your right. I just think it is sad. My mom taught Kindergarten for over 20 years. After her death, we cleared out 100s of pieces of jewelry, mugs, frames, and such that had apples on them or said "#1 Teacher." My mom appreciated them all. However, the gifts that moved her to tears were the ones that had absolutely no monetary value. She also saved every picture one of her students ever drew for her, every note a parent wrote saying thanks, and she even had a few noted written by students after they had grown thanking her for the impact she had made on their lives. I know she would've loved to have received a gift like this. (in fact, she was the one who suggested dh and I just ask people to make a donation in our name to a favorite charity as a wedding gift.)
Since my oldest dd started preschool, we have given gift cards as gifts; so I do know how wonderful and practical they are. I have always been bothered by them though because it showed no thought on our part (as the givers). I always saw them as something you get so you can cross someone's name off a list. That's not to say they aren't appreciated. This year I wanted to do something different. Many of you have offered wonderful sugestions, but those are things I already do and I didn't want to do the same thing I normally do and just call it a gift. I do send in gift cards throughout the year. (Usually they are freebies. Like the $5 GC Target was giving away with every 4 cases of soda purchased. If I return something without a receipt, stores will give gift cards. Depending on the amount, I'll ask that it be divided into 2 or 3 cards and send those in to the teachers. Things like that.) I also send in school supplies and items on the teachers' wish lists. We buy books for the classroom at our twice annual book fair, and I'm at the school every Tuesday morning for 2 or 3 hours doing whatever the teachers need me to do.
Anyway, it is getting late, and I'm starting to ramble. That happens when I get tired, so I'll just say thanks again to all of you. I know not everyone shares my beliefs and opinions and that's why I asked for opinions in the first place. I am a firm believer in not asking questions if you don't want to hear the answers. That doesn't mean I have to like them though. I have not yet decided what we'll do as far as teacher gifts go. I think my oldest dd's teacher would love a gift like this. I don't know about my youngest dd's teacher though. She is a hard person to read. She comes across as very hard, but the woman wears Shrek ears in her classroom!! How hard can she really be? Of course, Mickey ears would be better than Shrek ears, but I hope you get my point.
Good night all.
I hope that you haven't allowed the attitudes of this thread to discourage you. 
