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Post by DeadpanDoubter on Nov 13, 2009 17:23:53 GMT -5
Does anyone know of any secular O:CC alternatives? I love packing the boxes to ship to the children, but I despise the idea of my donation helping people press their religion on these kids...
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Post by MaybeNever on Nov 13, 2009 17:29:51 GMT -5
It would help if you'd explain what Operation: Christmas Child is, exactly. I gather that it's some kind of toys-for-tots deal, but I'm not really sure.
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Post by DeadpanDoubter on Nov 13, 2009 17:36:40 GMT -5
My bad...you basically make up a shoebox or shoebox-sized plastic container filled with goodies (as well as soap, toothbrushes, toothpaste, washclothes, etc. if you feel like it) and send it to Samaritan's Purse, who then ships it to needy children (usually in foreign countries, though some were donated within the USA after 9/11 and Katrina).
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Post by Mira on Nov 13, 2009 17:45:00 GMT -5
Oh, my mom does that thing. How much religious preaching do they do that you're aware of?
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Post by DeadpanDoubter on Nov 13, 2009 22:29:01 GMT -5
www.samaritanspurse.org/index.php/occ/ Click on the number 3, and you'll find the text "Beyond the Box: Providing a follow-up discipleship program helps children grow in their faith." I don't know of any first-hand accounts of their religious pressings, but their whole website makes me feel uneasy, and they say the most important thing about selecting a shoebox is to pray over it (https://www.samaritanspurse.org/index.php/OCC/Pack_A_Shoe_Box/). I'm not saying that it's an evil, evil organization because it's religious, but I would rather there not be political or religious strings attached to giving a gift to a child. Maybe I'm being overly sensitive, though; I'm doing the boxes this year regardless.
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Post by Mr. Turquoise on Nov 13, 2009 23:54:25 GMT -5
Well, if you were suitably ambitious, you could try to start something with some like-minded local folk. I'm sure that there are plenty of families within a few miles of you who could do with some help over the holidays. Also, I just Googled "atheist charities" and found this list. Maybe you could find something in there that you want to support. Mr. Turquoise
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Post by DeadpanDoubter on Nov 14, 2009 0:07:12 GMT -5
Well, if you were suitably ambitious, you could try to start something with some like-minded local folk. I'm sure that there are plenty of families within a few miles of you who could do with some help over the holidays.Mr. Turquoise I honestly didn't think of doing it myself. >.>; I believe I'll do that next year, though, and figure out how to recruit helpers/parents who want their kids to get a box of goodies in the meantime. Google's my pal. As far as like-minded folk, I'm not sure how many there are here, or at the college I'm transferring to next year; everyone I've spoke to about O:CC is fine with it, and might get suspicious if I propose a secular, local alternative...never know until I try, though, I suppose. Just need to motivate myself to stop being so quiet and to speak up for what I want to do. I'd also love to do something similar for birthdays/other holidays...hmm.
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Post by malicious_bloke on Nov 14, 2009 6:00:45 GMT -5
Christmas child alternatives?
Turkey is quite popular as a substitute, some people go for beef or chicken too.
Then there's all manner of vegetarian options
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Post by ostravan on Nov 14, 2009 6:50:38 GMT -5
I keep hearing "Only Christians....... blah, blah....." and always from christians who never bother to check that other organisations exist that do works equally well, and in many cases even better. Shoving a crucifix down someones throat is, in may cases, counterproductive. When some "christian" relief agencies turn up at sites of natural disaster, they bring tents, blankets, food, medicines, bibles and (in one instance) a mobile church! The bibles are for the disaster victims, the remainder are for themselves. It is better to send vegetarian options, as there are many cultures who, out of either belief or tradition, steer away from meat and/or dairy products.
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Post by DeadpanDoubter on Nov 14, 2009 14:00:08 GMT -5
Christmas child alternatives? Turkey is quite popular as a substitute, some people go for beef or chicken too. Then there's all manner of vegetarian options Hmm...I dunno, I think I'd prefer babby back ribs over turkey or chicken.
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Post by ostravan on Nov 15, 2009 6:04:18 GMT -5
Christmas child alternatives? Turkey is quite popular as a substitute, some people go for beef or chicken too. Then there's all manner of vegetarian options Hmm...I dunno, I think I'd prefer babby back ribs over turkey or chicken. Got it - Stir-Fried Christian Missionary. (best when eaten live! ;D)
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Post by Rat Of Steel on Nov 15, 2009 11:11:51 GMT -5
Christmas child alternatives? Turkey is quite popular as a substitute, some people go for (...) chicken too. ...or all of the above. I've just bought a turducken for me and my mother (who is the only relative living anywhere near me) to enjoy come Christmas time. A couple months ago, I'd first heard of turduckens; thought I'd see for myself if they taste as great as they look.
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Post by dantesvirgil on Nov 15, 2009 14:44:45 GMT -5
Actually, local homeless shelters probably could use the exact things you're putting in those boxes. The one here actually runs a very similar program plus toys for children of various ages. Families with kids are actually the largest homeless group of the homeless population. You could always put together what you'd regularly send and drop it off at the local homeless shelter. Also, check your local paper; all the local agencies in your area are putting together very similar projects right now. I actually "adopted" a family a year or so ago for Xmas through a local agency -- a single mom with two kids. They gave me a list of what they'd need and a list of what they'd "like", and you can go through and pick what you can do. It was stuff like socks, jeans, and simple requests for small things. I enjoyed that, and it really didn't cost me that much. I bet there's all kinds of things going on around you locally!
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Post by DeadpanDoubter on Nov 15, 2009 21:04:41 GMT -5
I love the idea of the Adopt-A-Family program, DV- one of my mentees is a strong force in local charities, and she did it last year and loved it. I'd prefer to save that idea for when I have more money, though...
I can't find very many homeless shelters around here; for whatever reason, I'm living in the middle of a dead zone for shelters, and the closest one doesn't have a website worth a crap. >_<
I'll check the metro area's newspaper and see if I can spot anything; I'd really like to get started on something that won't shove views down anyone's throats.
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Post by dantesvirgil on Nov 15, 2009 23:32:25 GMT -5
Well then, go locally, because you can always check on the agency yourself without having the impersonal "corporate" relationship of an international program. And honestly, it doesn't cost much at all to participate in those kinds of family programs. You can even tell the local program you don't have much money but you have $15 (for sake of argument) and what would that do for a family -- then they can combine your gift with their own funds and come up with something that works locally and is sans sermon. Winnars all around.
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