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Old 10-29-2008, 12:06 PM
 
Location: Oxford, England
13,032 posts, read 24,549,222 times
Reputation: 20164

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I have just started filling my shoe-box this year for my yearly ritual of taking part in "Operation Christmas Child" and I was wondering how many people on CD also enjoy doing this.

I have to admit having become thoroughly disenchanted with Christmas in the last few years and I tend to find myself becoming gloomier and gloomier as Christmas looms over the horizon.

This avowed and most adamant Atheist used to love this time of year, Carols, Christmas Trees and Markets, the whole shebang. There used to be something magical and peaceful about this time of year, something special. All of this seems to have been gradually replaced with quasi grotesque greed and materialistic incontinence.

Now that sadly it has become such a commercial drive for excess of all kinds I find myself dispirited and feeling more like Scrooge than ever , "humbugging " all the way.
Conspicuous consumption has forever ruined the spirit of Christmas for me.

However one bright spot in my yearly calendar is doing the Samaritan's Purse "Operation Christmas Child".

My better half and I will spend quite a while choosing presents to fill our shoebox with, taking great care , picking up toys and warm gloves, scarves, hats , candy, Teddy Bears etc.. knowing that on Christmas day somewhere far, far away from our cosy and comfortable lives, a child we will never meet, who will never know anything about us will perhaps for the first time in his/her short life receive gifts to make his/her life that little bit brighter. Not a long term solution , not a grand gesture in the grand scheme of things, just a little sunshine for a little while ( and we all need that ).

I like the anonymity of it all and the feeling of doing something which will truly make a difference and has an instant impact ( unlike nephews and nieces for example who swamped by an excess of toys never seem to truly appreciate anything).

I would urge anyone who can to participate. It is run by a Christian organisation and I know for some Atheists/non Christians this might be an obstacle but to me it brings a great deal of joy and satisfaction. I know evangelism is a part of the organisation ( though a lot less from the UK branch - and gifts have to be specifically NON religious ) but I still believe it is a worthwhile event for all to take part in, religious or non. I can set aside my atheism for a little while if it provides severely underprivileged kids with a little bit of joy and a sense of mattering to someone.

My box is now almost complete , ready to be wrapped in colourful and cheerful wrapping paper, and I look at it wondering where it will end up ? Belarus, Afghanistan, Romania, etc... ?

My only regret is not being able to see the recipient but in my mind's eye he/she will always be a very worthwhile reason to take time out from doing whatever I am doing at that time of year and spend a little time thinking about something else than myself and my relatively petty concerns.

Christmas regains a little bit of its meaning to me by a very simple act of giving and expecting absolutely nothing in return. And for this I am grateful to all the volunteers who make this happen every year.

Because that little simple shoe box allows me to face the depressing prospect of another commercial obscene aberration with a slightly lighter heart.


I guess when it comes down to it my pleasure is a little selfish too !

Samaritan's Purse

Last edited by Mooseketeer; 10-29-2008 at 12:15 PM..
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Old 10-29-2008, 12:27 PM
 
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Very cool. I'll let LT know.
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Old 10-29-2008, 12:53 PM
 
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That is awesome. What a beautiful way to prepare for Christmas. Thank you so much for sharing this!
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Old 10-29-2008, 01:08 PM
 
Location: Papillion
2,589 posts, read 10,515,380 times
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For Operations Christmas Child we have done it for several years and plan to again... also we have our church and a couple of community clubs participating too.

Also, instead of a gift exchange with extended family we are giving a gift equivelent to what we would have spent to Heifer International. Suprisingly our teenage kids didn't balk one bit at the idea.
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Old 10-29-2008, 01:17 PM
 
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We do OCC every year both personally and as a youth group. And we're doing it again this year.

Last year we were able to put together over 250 shoe boxes.

FYI, one thing that we've heard great things about is line your box with a bandanna. The recipients of the boxes have a vast number of uses for them and it takes almost no space in the box.

I'll try and get some photos from last year and post them if anyone is interested.
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Old 10-29-2008, 01:36 PM
 
3,086 posts, read 6,252,463 times
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Mooseketeer View Post
I have to admit having become thoroughly disenchanted with Christmas in the last few years and I tend to find myself becoming gloomier and gloomier as Christmas looms over the horizon.

This avowed and most adamant Atheist used to love this time of year, Carols, Christmas Trees and Markets, the whole shebang. There used to be something magical and peaceful about this time of year, something special. All of this seems to have been gradually replaced with quasi grotesque greed and materialistic incontinence.
To tell you the truth, I also hate the commercialism and greed that has become so intertwined with this season. It mars the true joy and hope that the season represents.

Our school, youth group etc. have done shoeboxes, and I think as a family we should do something like this this year instead of the usual gift exchange. How much better to give to the needy than to fill our already over-flowing closet shelves! It seems to me that this would be the true "spirit of Christmas".

Thank you, Moose!
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Old 10-29-2008, 02:27 PM
 
Location: Oxford, England
13,032 posts, read 24,549,222 times
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Alpha8207 View Post
We do OCC every year both personally and as a youth group. And we're doing it again this year.

Last year we were able to put together over 250 shoe boxes.

FYI, one thing that we've heard great things about is line your box with a bandanna. The recipients of the boxes have a vast number of uses for them and it takes almost no space in the box.

I'll try and get some photos from last year and post them if anyone is interested.

Darn! Now I need to empty my box and get a bandanna!

But thanks for the advice Alpha, it 's an excellent idea.

So far we have filled our box with 3 packs of candy ( so there is plenty to share with little friends), 2 small toy cars ( so the little boy can play with a friend), a woollen matching set of gloves, scarf, and hat, some drawing paper, some crayons, a small ball, a really cute Teddy Bear ( I will be sad to see him go I admit, we bought him this summer and I have grown used to him ! ) , an eraser and pencil sharpener , soap, kids toothbrush and toothpaste, a face flannel, and I am going to buy some tiny "stocking fillers" this week-end .

I have learnt to be really good at packing now and we cheat a bit by using one of my beloved's rather larger shoe boxes !
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Old 10-29-2008, 02:34 PM
 
Location: Oxford, England
13,032 posts, read 24,549,222 times
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Dave1215 View Post
For Operations Christmas Child we have done it for several years and plan to again... also we have our church and a couple of community clubs participating too.

Also, instead of a gift exchange with extended family we are giving a gift equivelent to what we would have spent to Heifer International. Suprisingly our teenage kids didn't balk one bit at the idea.
That's an excellent idea. A few years back we decided to stop buying gifts for many people and instead buy useful things via various charities, "Oxfam", "Help the aged" etc..


So a lot of family and friends are now used to receiving a card from the charity telling them they have been bought a goat, a donkey, 6 toilets , some vegetable garden seedlings, or a school kit for an entire school.

I think some people find us odd for doing this but to be honest I just got fed up of buying gifts which were never that appreciated or needed.

I have told everyone that we would be more than happy for them to do the same instead of buying us stuff but it seems people are just not listening.

I am 40 and there are very few things I really want or need and I would prefer that money to be spent on things which truly make a difference to people.
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Old 10-29-2008, 04:14 PM
 
7,784 posts, read 14,843,837 times
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Mooseketeer View Post
Darn! Now I need to empty my box and get a bandanna!

But thanks for the advice Alpha, it 's an excellent idea.

So far we have filled our box with 3 packs of candy ( so there is plenty to share with little friends), 2 small toy cars ( so the little boy can play with a friend), a woollen matching set of gloves, scarf, and hat, some drawing paper, some crayons, a small ball, a really cute Teddy Bear ( I will be sad to see him go I admit, we bought him this summer and I have grown used to him ! ) , an eraser and pencil sharpener , soap, kids toothbrush and toothpaste, a face flannel, and I am going to buy some tiny "stocking fillers" this week-end .

I have learnt to be really good at packing now and we cheat a bit by using one of my beloved's rather larger shoe boxes !
Great items!

Also combs and brushes are invaluable to these kids as is dental floss. We usually try to include a writing tablet, pencils, pencil sharpeners, small containers of play-doh are allowed (we had to call to verify), and socks too.

One other thing some might want to do is find a local distribution point and go volunteer. It is truly amazing. You help process thousands and thousands of boxes and you really get an idea of the magnitude of this organization.

There's one here in Charlotte that we try and go work at and it's truly amazing.

Also, Moose, I don't know if you are aware but you can include a note to your child and picture of yourself or family. I've heard remarkable stories of some of those kids tracking down their shoebox donors years later to say 'thanks' and even some who have done even more than that.
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Old 10-29-2008, 04:25 PM
 
Location: Midwest
1,167 posts, read 1,515,751 times
Reputation: 1507
I never heard of this before, but I am looking into it now! My plan for the Christmas season was to take my son (he is 2 years and a few months old) to the nursing home near our home (we visit there somewhat regularly). We plan on visiting with all of our elderly friends who don't get to see their family for the holidays. We really enjoy doing that. I think I may have my son help me put together a shoebox!

I am definitely going to look into this! Thank you for the info!

God Bless.
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