2008 Christmas Shoeboxes

maytaurus

crystal_fire

as thevicster said have a look at
http://www.supportoursoldiers.co.uk/
and here
http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/showthread.html?t=1204525

:j :j :j :j :j

karendb

Do all the shoebox donations require a financial donation as well? I've just downloaded the page from operation christmas child and you have to donate £2.50 per box. I don't really mind this but it will obviously limit the number of boxes I can do.

karendb

Having looked again at the requirements etc. Link Romania seems to have a much simpler, streamlined operation and I like the fact that you make a family shoebox, rather than one just aimed at kids.

bravobeastie

Our school handed out the letters yesterday for this. I was disgusted by the 'guidelines' that everything has to be brand new and also you have to give a cheque for £2.50

I will be doing this so my children don't feel left out at school but i have rang the school this morning and they had no idea about the controversy that surrounds this organisation.

There are children in this country who would also be grateful for christmas presents, elderly people who would benefit form a pair of slippers, a fleece blanket or £5 on their gas meter or a bit of food.

Also why does this stuff have to be brand new? Surely if they have nothing, anything would be gratefully received, also if you read the smallprint anything the 'charity' find unsuitable in the boxes they will remove for their own use.

:mad:

Why are people so quick to help those other than the ones in their own country?

suec

The Mod have realeased a press article this morning saying that can we not send parcel boxes for the troops as this stops personnel post getting to the troops. So we cant do good even if we wanted to.

karendb

bravobeastie wrote: »

Our school handed out the letters yesterday for this. I was disgusted by the 'guidelines' that everything has to be brand new and also you have to give a cheque for £2.50

I will be doing this so my children don't feel left out at school but i have rang the school this morning and they had no idea about the controversy that surrounds this organisation.

There are children in this country who would also be grateful for christmas presents, elderly people who would benefit form a pair of slippers, a fleece blanket or £5 on their gas meter or a bit of food.

Also why does this stuff have to be brand new? Surely if they have nothing, anything would be gratefully received, also if you read the smallprint anything the 'charity' find unsuitable in the boxes they will remove for their own use.

:mad:

Why are people so quick to help those other than the ones in their own country?

I think these are good points. My kids have some toys in lovely condition that they could donate - I'm not sure why they aren't suitable for some of the organisations but OK for others. Also, Link Romania accepts liquids (shower gel etc.) & chocolate, and you don't have to wrap the lid and box separately. Why is this OK for them but not others?

I agree also that there are some people in this country who have very little and would love to receive a box. Are there any organisations who do this?

bravobeastie

karendb wrote: »

I think these are good points. My kids have some toys in lovely condition that they could donate - I'm not sure why they aren't suitable for some of the organisations but OK for others. Also, Link Romania accepts liquids (shower gel etc.) & chocolate, and you don't have to wrap the lid and box separately. Why is this OK for them but not others?

I agree also that there are some people in this country who have very little and would love to receive a box. Are there any organisations who do this?

I truly don't know but i'm spending this morning looking into it. I thought about perhaps contacting social services and asking their advise and maybe some local rest homes?

thevicster

bravobeastie - thats a great idea, I might do the same if you have any luck

bravobeastie

thevicster wrote: »

bravobeastie - thats a great idea, I might do the same if you have any luck

Well didn't have much luck with my local social services, they referred me to the local council and they didn't know of any schemes being run within the borough but i shall soldier on and attack the yellow pages tomorrow and keep you informed of anything i manage to come up with.

I would like to point out here, to the people who are happy to send boxes to Samaritans Purse that i think you are marvellous people. Its just not for me or within my beliefs thats all.

xx

freaked_out

bravobeastie wrote: »

Well didn't have much luck with my local social services, they referred me to the local council and they didn't know of any schemes being run within the borough but i shall soldier on and attack the yellow pages tomorrow and keep you informed of anything i manage to come up with.

I would like to point out here, to the people who are happy to send boxes to Samaritans Purse that i think you are marvellous people. Its just not for me or within my beliefs thats all.

xx

I too am uneasy about fundamentalist Christians who give out our boxes without Literature but with the words ' A present from Jesus'. The Smile appeal seems to target Church groups in each country. This may be because as reported by a friend in Africa, the cultural tradition in certain countries isthat the head of the family has to provide for the whole family and the contents of shoeboxes are immediately sold to benefit the extended family.