No change of heart here. I'm against it.

Why would people against it?

It smacks of colonialism for one thing.  It means we assume what "they" need.

I have interviewed folks from Samaritans Purse and young people who have done the distribution in Central America for my TV show. It was done through churches in the local community. I am sure there are stories that horrify us and our North American theology, but there is also some good done. Yes, there is biblical literature in the shoe box. No, you can't put in your own material (all boxes are checked beforehand).

Support this charity if you wish. It's your charitable dollar to give.

Seeing where these gift boxes go, is there a reasonable assumption that the people who recieve the boxes can get what they need on their own?

Hi crazyheart,

Yes, we have discussed this several times. I currently stand in favor of Operation Shoebox. It's an excellent way to spread the God-Word and to share with people the Jesus-love. I am surprised to hear that the EAC has already started it for this year. No word of it yet at my church. We always run the program at my little Fellowship Baptist church.

Peace in Christ.

Samaritan's Purse is a wonderful organization. My dad has worked for them before, they have a home in Boone N.C., one of my previous hometowns. I don't believe the aid they give require any particular philosophy, i.e. you don't have to be a fundamentalist to give to the needy. Personally I have a lot of respect for Billy Graham, not so much for Franklin but I don't see my disagreements with him as relevant. I think this is a good organization that people all across the theological spectrum (and completely outside of it for that matter) could support.

I don't believe I missed the point at all. Obviously, there is a need that the recievers of the Christmas boxes cannot meet on their own. How do you know that they do not need the items in the boxes. Perhaps you assume they do not need what is sent.  The boxes are sent to children that live in Third World countries who live in poverty. I think one can make a reasonable assumption that there is a need. Most of these children cannot even afford to go to school. They live in conditions that here in North America simply do not exist. I have been to a Third World Country and have seen first hand that these people DO need what is provided through the gift boxes. Assuming they do not can be a dangerous default position.  

I agree with Rev. Steven Davis above - most of the gift suggestions are practical ones.  I know that in some countries, children can't attend school unless they have their own school supplies.   When I pack my shoeboxes, I make certain to include school supplies for the older kids.

Baseball caps for boys, scarves for girls and T-shirts are other good additions.

Toothpaste has been prohibited for the past few years because the additives might be harmful to a child.  Some of our toothpastes are rather tasty, and a hungry child might eat it.

The fact that there are additives that might harm a child is alarming - and these were the children's brands.  It is good that people in the Samaritan's Purse organization are alert to potential problems.

In my small community, a group of seniors knit hats, toques and mittens which we take to the warehouse.  These are packed in shoeboxes that are destined for colder countries.

Someone made the comment, "what good are socks if you don't have shoes?"   Having something on one's feet is better than nothing, I would think.  I've read stories of rats nibbling on children's toes while they sleep on the ground at night.  A pair of socks might provide a bit of a barrier.

I wasn't a member of Wondercafe when OCC was previously discussed, so have looked up the threads and read the comments.  Good pros and cons. 

The choice is ours.

The suggested gifts aren't a bad list.  The ones that most often get actually given are another matter altogether.  Although I assume that is also a YMMV kind of thing.

What are you basing this on?

As someone who has packed and inspected packed shoeboxes at an OCC warehouse for the past 10 years, I would disagree.

Some people pack their gifts in tupperware containers or large boot boxes.  The assortment of gifts is both practical and heart-warming.  There are enough gifts in these boxes for an entire family.  People who personally have delivered boxes have commented that shoebox contents  are shared with siblings.   Often people enclose photos of their family with notes or letters.

"Love" is a universal language that doesn't require translation.

Do they have fresh water to use a toothbrush?  Does the culture use brushes for dental hygiene (not all do)?  DO people there wear socks?  Why would we send candy?  Why a ball or stickers?  Why art supplies?

In the end I am much more in favour of providing cash to the people to allow them to use as they define their needs (and yes that may mean we disagree with how they spend it). Or as another option, asking the receiving community what they need and then asking the giving community to  provide that -- we often do this with local agencies, why not overseas as well.

And then there is the issue (a similar issue I have with the "adopt a child" programs) of people being singled out.  One of our colleagues worked in a place where some children got OCC boxes and others didn't (because of supply, not theology).  If we truly believe in community development we need to support communities, not individuals.

The fact remains is that there is a need and people are stepping up to help fulfill those needs.

Two points:

To GordW:

You have a problem  with sending balls and art supplies to children? Political correctness gone mad, IMO.

As to supporting communities and not individuals, then you also oppose foster parent programs, etc? That personal connection often movitvates people to become even more generous in other ways, or its an extension of an already very generous spirit.

To crazyheart:

I also think it's inappropriate for schools (if it's the public system) to be supporting Operation Christmas Child, which isa religious charity. however, I also think it's entirely inappropriate for Wascana Presbytery, which is a religious body, to be interfering in the workings of the public school system.

Gord, you might want to update your information. We received a letter from Foster Parents Plan (our Sunday School supports two children) thatis clear that the money we give goes to the community as a whole so that all may share. This was supported by a colleague who went to Nicaragua two years ago and met with both the local staff and one of their children the church had sponsored. They werre astonished that the money was shared with all of the community, was used for development and that the community had input into what was needed and done.

Some of our perceived theological objections are long out of date, I suspect.

Because it appears to put a rider on the gift (to my eyes at least)  But then I am not a big fan of tract ministry in general so I may be biased.

The way I see it, Gord, it offers the receiver an even better gift -- eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord. What could be a better Christmas gift than that! I am a fan of tract ministry. Indeed, my church runs a monthly tract distribution program at subway stops here in west Toronto.

See, this is just it.  You're not about altruism or giving at all - you're about evangelizing.  You're a marketer, and people in need are your target (and captive) market.

The way we see it chansen, we're giving Christmas gifts and we're telling people about the most amazing Christmas gift of all time -- God's Christmas gift to the world of his one and only Son.

That is largely because such activities are controlled by band councils in Canada. There is also a large, built-in infrastructure of evangelical Christian churches in central America, which makes SP activites much easier.

As a follow-up, anyone interested can check out Samaritan's Purse water projects at site below.  This project benefits communities.  Samaritan's Purse Canada works in partnership with CIDA to provide and install water purification systems in developing countries.

http://www.samaritanspurse.ca/ourwork/water/

Nobody questions the need for clean water.  Many question the motives of Samaritan's Purse.