It may feel a bit early for Christmas for some, but this project has a deadline. Operation Christmas Child means filling one empty shoebox full of gifts and educational supplies for one child in a third world country to receive. You have to drop off your shoebox between the 1st and 15th of November, at one of the many designated spots around the country. Or if you are American, here is your site.
I am very aware there are complaints about Operation Christmas Child, and Samaritan's Purse who it is run by. It would seem it isn't made clear that this is an evangelical Christian company, who include evangelical Christian pamphlets in up to 95% of the boxes.
I understand the argument, should humanitarian aid and evangelism go hand in hand? Does it cause confusion? Maybe. Maybe not. My concerns would be more along the lines of, 'what version of christianity is being sold to people in desperate need of humanitarian aid?' I understand non-religious people feeling lied to when they realise they are aiding in a christian movement, also.
But I have thought about this. Having missed the deadline for the Link Romania shoe box appeal, this is the only other one I can find. And if I have to weigh up a whole shoe box full of fun and necessary items for a child who would love to receive them, against a pamphlet of Bible Stories. The shoe box has to win out for me.
I'm linking this up in case any of you want to fill a shoe box (or two!) up with goodies, for a child who will appreciate it ten times more than the new pair of socks you buy your dad, or the piece of jewellery you purchase for your friend.
*EDIT* Sarah linked up Blythswood in the comments, who also run a shoe box appeal. They give boxes to not only children, but teenagers, and adults. (Please note, they don't seem to have a drop off location in Wales, for any Welshies out there!) Thank you for the info, Sarah!
You I ♥. Thanks for posting this...me and the little guy are gonna do some up and drop them off.
Posted by: sara | October 26, 2009 at 10:17 PM
We do these every year at church. I think they do good things.
Hope you're doing just lovely. :)
Posted by: Kara | October 26, 2009 at 10:34 PM
I have one of these boxes in my backseat right now to fill! I am so excited about this project.
Posted by: kim whitten | October 26, 2009 at 10:40 PM
Blythswood also do a shoebox appeal. We donate a few every year, and put some through for the adults too.
Kids boxes get a Bible Storybook, teens get a diary with Bible verses and adults get a Bible calendar. It's all pretty clear on their website.
Their cut-off date is the 6th November.
http://www.blythswood.org/shoebox/
Posted by: Sarah | October 27, 2009 at 01:43 PM
thanks for sharing that information on the samaritans purse. I am absolutely going to participate this year. ps-you're awesome
Posted by: welcome carpenter | October 28, 2009 at 03:19 AM
While I'm not so big a fan of the pamphlet, the shoebox would win out for me too.
Clicking on the american link now.
Posted by: dani | October 28, 2009 at 06:56 PM