Shoe boxes for Christmas

I stopped doing the shoe boxes some years ago when I read up a lot about the evangelical push placed on these children I preferred finding another way I used to do it every year but that put me off big time

I stopped doing them too, for the same reason as BlueBelle.

It wouldn’t bother me tbh. The people receiving the goods will be pleased to get them and have the choice to read or bin any religious tracts placed in the boxes.By stopping doing them the only people you hurt are the recipients even it if it makes you feel better by doing that.

I wouldn't stop Mrsgreenfingers56, the pamphlets will probably get whizzed into paper planes without reading anyway!
I'm doing a few for older boys this year as I believe that's where the shortfall is and I must admit I'm not finding it as easy as the tiddler age group

Some local charities do shoeboxes. The evangelical church stranglehold on the main charity doing these is unacceptable and they try to keep it hidden.

There are lots of other worthwhile charities to which a Christmas donation can be made - my go-tos are Medecins sans Frontiers and Crisis at Christmas.

Oreo

It wouldn’t bother me tbh. The people receiving the goods will be pleased to get them and have the choice to read or bin any religious tracts placed in the boxes.By stopping doing them the only people you hurt are the recipients even it if it makes you feel better by doing that.

Samaritan’s Purse is the organisation behind Operation Christmas Child. Their annual shoebox appeal is promoted by many schools as a positive way of helping the poor in other countries at this festive time of year. The appeal sends shoeboxes full of toys, books, and other presents to vulnerable children in Asia, Africa, and Eastern Europe. But Samaritan’s Purse uses a trojan horse approach of adding religious literature to the gift boxes after they are dispatched. The literature aims to convert children to Christianity.

Schools across the country encourage parents and children to participate and fill shoeboxes. But when they do so they are often completely unaware of the indoctrinatory purpose of the gifts. Schools and families want to contribute and do something good. But their efforts are being used to promote a single, evangelical view of a faith rather than being delivered unconditionally as intended by the donors.

The head of Samaritan’s Purse, Reverend William Franklin Graham III, is the son of well-known American evangelist Billy Graham. He has a long history of making homophobic and racist comments and has even gone on the record to describe homosexuality as an ‘abomination’. He also said Muslims ‘should be barred from immigrating to America’ and has called on Christians to convert Muslims. In 2020, Graham participated in the ‘March for Life’, calling for a total ban on abortion.

It’s just paper that will be chucked away.That alone won’t convert anyone to anything, it’s not the 19th century now.

Oreo if only it was that neat and easy Don’t underestimate what little bits of paper can do and even if it doesn’t indoctrinate any child they are trying to and that is enough (I believe it’s more than a piece of paper) There are other and better ways to give children in poorer countries a Christmas present
A child of 7/8 may not know they have choices to throw the paper work away it will be aimed at them and probably very child friendly and attractive
It is not for me once I had read up more on it It’s giving a present with a message.. to get these presents you need to…..

In some countries it is still C19th

Actually I wasn't sending them to Samaritan's Purse, think it was them that started this to begin with and other charities
began to follow. I did a box for the
Sea Men's mission a few years ago and then one for our Army lads but last few years done for the children mainly.

But in poorer countries one does think of the children and now this other charity, don't know if allowed to say do a box for old people as family left to find work/been killed in wars etc and some of the photographs of the conditions they live in are very poor indeed. So done for the children and older people this year but if they begin to believe in Christianity well so be it, can only give them comfort. I am really not bothered what they believe in and don't do from any faith or beliefs, people are people after all and some need more help than others.

I stopped doing these some years ago for the same reasons. I challenged the charity and eventually (after many attempts) someone emailed me a copy of one of the leaflets it was like a cartoon story - but very missionary in the writing.... I wasn't confident that it was even a whole leaflet. They were cagey. It was sad and awkward as my whole family was enthusiastic about this little bit of well meant support for those less fortunate.
My now grown up children used to come along to help pack too. I still have some decorated shoe boxes.

It made me think of the 1960s/ 1970s pamphlets from "The children of God" trying to recruit to their sex sect.
I maybe was over thinking this but all the small things I'd been collecting for many months went to a charity shop instead.

A very sad ending to years of support.

I stopped contributing to the shoebox campaign a few years ago after my DD volunteered to be a box checker.
We always felt that the box was only worth doing if it contained new and good quality gifts. She was shocked to see some boxes with used crayons, colouring books that had been started and so on. Some items were taken out of boxes and redistributed to others.

Now I pack a box of Christmas goodies for the local food bank. They publish a list of requests.
My knitted goods go to a local centre that supports families.
I am glad to be supporting those in need here, but do wish there was an easy way to send practical help and cheer to those in war-stricken areas.

mrsgreenfingers56

Actually I wasn't sending them to Samaritan's Purse, think it was them that started this to begin with and other charities
began to follow. I did a box for the
Sea Men's mission a few years ago and then one for our Army lads but last few years done for the children mainly.

But in poorer countries one does think of the children and now this other charity, don't know if allowed to say do a box for old people as family left to find work/been killed in wars etc and some of the photographs of the conditions they live in are very poor indeed. So done for the children and older people this year but if they begin to believe in Christianity well so be it, can only give them comfort. I am really not bothered what they believe in and don't do from any faith or beliefs, people are people after all and some need more help than others.

Well said you! 😃
Sending the gifts is more important than getting on your high horse about some religious book or pamphlet that’s put in with it.
A lot of countries are Christian anyway.

DD did this with her school when it first became a thing. In theory she sent a box to a girl in Rumania - we got a letter back from a boy. It then became apparent he was quite a well off boy as he started sending us parcels! This carried on back and forth for a couple of years until I intercepted a postcard from him who was now living in America and wanting her email address. I had visions of him turning up on our doorstep!

Local food banks, yes.
I agree with you Oreo, that most children would probably ignore the pamphlets.
For a start, they would have to be able to read them, and they might not know any English.
On the other hand, I don't think being worried about pushy evangelism is being on a 'high horse', especially when you see examples of what is being promoted as 'Christianity' in the USA just now.
Which other charities do the shoe boxes?

I have sent money, not a box, to help children in Ukraine.

I believe it is more than pamphlets. I researched it all a few years ago and I think there are some sort of religious activities associated with the distribution.

Samaritans Purse are a bigoted organization and I just think there are better ways of contributing than being associated with them.

That actually sounds creepy.
The shoeboxes are interesting to organise. Pity.

I suppose Christmas is a christian festival, so the leaflets aren't exactly out of sync with the spirit of the season. ? As far as I can see ' evsngelical' litetature is just traditional / orthodox christianity. Not as though its cultish or anything...? I wonder if our culture has become so immune to religious tradition that anything that's not material or secular feels weird.
Just my thoughts.

Apols for typos above.....I must remember preview option ! After posting I started thinking about the Christmas carols many of us will enjoy singing....for example....Hark the herald angels sing.... full of theological themes. I don't feel I am being indoctrinated by anyone and doubt others are ...but I absolutely adore that carol and the words !

maremia which other charities do the shoe boxes?
There’s one I know of listed on the Humanist website which is Link to Hope. It is a Christian charity but says it does not include any literature.
linktohope.co.uk/shoebox-appeal-2025/

I agree with those who oppose Samaritans Purse. They are anti-Muslim, homophobic and anti-abortion, and require employees to be likewise.

Many schools pulled out of the scheme after parents complained about the clash with their own values (which were often the values promoted in schools too). Also, there has been criticism of the mismatch between the gifts and the needs of the communities who get them, and there was controversy about a hospital they were going to set up in NY because of the vitriolic comments the founder made about gay people.

www.nbcnews.com/feature/nbc-out/opposition-samaritan-s-purse-central-park-field-hospital-grows-n1184216

humanists.uk/2023/11/16/humanists-uk-cautions-parents-to-exercise-caution-with-operation-christmas-child/#:~:text=Reverend%20William%20Franklin%20Graham%20III,their%20support%20was%20directed%20elsewhere.

I agree that it's a shame, as the idea is a good one, but it would work better if the gifts were more targeted. Homeless charities and Women's refuges give boxes to their service users, but they ask for donations and buy the gifts (usually things like hats and gloves for the homeless and toiletries and toys for families in hostels).

When I worked in refuges we found we got way too much given at Christmas and little the rest of the year.
We had an emergency clothes cupboard and would have liked to have always have pyjamas, slippers, dressing gowns, knickers, boxer shorts, t-shirts socks etc rather than (more) stuffed toys and so on.

We were also gifted lots of fresh perishable foods at Christmas.

Obviously a few stuffed toys harms nobody and can be a comfort...
I don't know what people gift these days.

My sister, sadly now deceased, who lived in Scotland and was a devout Christian, used to do these shoe boxes every year, putting much effort into it, and with her husband helping.
I thought it was wonderful, and I don't think it matters in the least if those leaflets are enclosed. Nobody is forced to read them.

I used to send them and was put off by the literature added but now I send Rotary shoe boxes which go to Ukraine. 4 of my 5 granddaughters pack one each and put Christmas stickers on the outside of the box. They understand there are children who are not as lucky as them and I feel this is very useful for their development. My husband has been on two trips into Ukraine recently, taking aid and has seen where the aid goes and the shoe boxes will go to the same distribution hub. There is a great need for aid and the boxes and of course the hope that comes with them. No Christian push or literature goes with them. See if you can find a Rotary group near you to get a shoebox blank to make up and fill. The boxes we have completed are already being collected so time is running out for this year. As many have said the contents are really helpful to most who receive them.