Ethical Shoebox scheme?

[tracymort]

Does anyone know of one that doesn't have an ulterior evangelistic Islamaphobic motive?
My children are pestered at school to do the OCC shoebox scheme, I refuse on moral grounds but would like to find a shoebox scheme we agree with instead.

[amonty1144]

The evangelistic motive has been raised many times before but in the great scheme of things does it matter as long as a child who has nothing gets something?

[amonty1144]

http://www.rotary1280.org/shoebox/

Here is a rotary scheme in lincolnshire, perhaps there is one in your area.

Also salvatian army and shelter sometimes do them. I think you can usually donate gifts at asda too for another scheme.

[pingu97]

Hi my daughters school have done theirs with the samaritans if that helps, maybe try their website. Can i ask whats the OCC scheme & why you're against it?

[dot.hawkes]

I hope someone agrees on one soon, i have a stack of empty boxes in my stockroom and this year hardly anyone has asked for them, usually we get thru loads.

[manic-mother]

I completely agree what amonty says , the most important thing surely is that an under privelliged child gets something at christmas whether your a christian , buddist , hindu ,islamic or other as whether you believe in christmas , jesus or not december is in the midst of winter for the most of europe and isn't it great knowing that your giving a poor and / or orphaned child a ray of light in their otherwise dismal day.

[dot.hawkes]

no probs clarion, they need to be gone or i will have to put them in the compactor

[tracymort]

Pingu97 - this article pretty much sums up my problem with OCC http://www.guardian.co.uk/comment/story/0,,108 1349,00.html

I also agree what is important is the children get something, but why does it have to come with strings attached? Which is why I'm looking for a scheme that literally gives for the sake of giving, with nothing else going on.

[pingu97]

ok i do understand your point but my daughters 4 and the thought of other children her age going without anything on xmas day, when shes opening 20 million presents (no exaggeration i asure u!!) breaks my heart. Like the idea of going through royal marines like 10Clarion suggested might look it up now.

[slattocks]

The Rotary Shoebox Scheme is the best to use.
Run entirely by Rotary volunteers, it is completely non sectarian.
It also runs all year round, not just at Christmas and takes shoebox gifts to children, teenagers, families and old folk throughout Eastern Europe.
Contact any Rotary Club (in most towns in UK and Ireland)or visit the web site: www.shoebox.rotary1280.org