Christmas in a shoebox

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Packing a gift box (2016)

Christmas in a shoebox is the world's largest gift campaign for children in need. It has been carried out in German-speaking countries since 1996. Initially it was worn here by the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association , from 2002 by the Gifts of Hope Association , which has been called Samaritan's Purse - The Good Samaritans since 2019 . It is part of Operation Christmas Child , which started in 1990 and has been organized by the American aid organization Samaritan's Purse since 1993 . The recipients of the gifts are children in Africa , Asia , Europe , Central and South America . The campaign does not see itself as development aid , but as a gift campaign in which the Christmas message can also be conveyed. Since 1993, a total of 157 million gift boxes have been distributed to children in 160 countries worldwide.

history

In 1993, Samaritan's Purse joined Operation Christmas Child, a project that Welsh businessman Dave Cooke had been running since 1990. Three years later, the Christian magazine Decision called on its German-speaking readers to participate. Since then, this annual collection has also taken place in Germany , Austria , Switzerland , Liechtenstein and South Tyrol under the name of Christmas in a shoe box . Since November 2001 the German partner of this campaign has been called Presents of Hope . It emerged from the German branch of the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association . By the end of 2006 around 50 million gift packages had been sent worldwide. In 2013 that number was 100 million. In 2017 the gifts came from the United States , Canada , Great Britain , German-speaking countries, Spain , Finland , Japan , Australia and New Zealand . The campaign has developed into the world's largest gift campaign for children in need.

Process and structure

In German-speaking countries, people are usually invited to participate in the gift campaign in October of each calendar year; The closing date for gift boxes, which can be prepared all year round, is usually mid-November. In other countries, such as the United States or Canada, there is a National Collection Week .

Typically, private individuals, day-care centers, schools, church institutions or parishes, companies or neighborhood groups take part in packing the boxes. Commercially available shoe boxes are wrapped with wrapping paper and filled with small presents. The campaign sponsors recommend solid hygiene items, writing materials, cuddly toys , sweets and children's clothing in their original packaging. Objects such as war toys , medicines , scissors , electronic devices or used goods, as well as certain foods, are not suitable . The donors indicate whether the box is intended for boys or girls and for which age group it is suitable. Since 2016 it has been possible to pack shoe boxes online. In order to finance the costs for transport, storage, administration, training of volunteers at home and abroad, transparency and public relations , a monetary donation of eight euros (2017) is requested.

The boxes that should not be firmly closed by then are checked at collection points, including for customs and import regulations. Since 2017, they have also been tested in so-called Christmas workshops. Then the transport to the destination countries takes place. Gift boxes from German-speaking countries mainly go to Eastern Europe. With Operation Christmas Child children are Africa , Asia , Europe , Central and South America reached.

The on-site distribution is usually carried out during a Christmas party. Where there are cultural or religious reasons against it, it is waived. Christian communities of different denominations are involved in the distribution ; where this is not possible, contact is sought with other religious groups or social institutions. The children receive the boxes regardless of their religious or cultural background. In addition to the gifts, the children are also offered a booklet with biblical stories prepared in a child-friendly manner, provided the cultural or religious environment allows it . Taking this booklet with you is voluntary and not a requirement for receiving a gift box. Following the Christmas celebrations, the local partners invite you to learn more about the Christian faith in a faith course tailored to children . Around 14.9 million children have taken part in such courses since 2009 (as of September 2018).

Distributing parishes undergo introductory training in advance. Regular visits, training courses, own participation in distributions, accountability and final reports from distribution partners are intended to ensure the quality standards of Samaritan's Purse and Operation Christmas Child .

Prominent supporters

The supporters of the campaign included or count celebrities , including:

In 2017, the team and employees of FC Red Bull Salzburg participated in the campaign. Many companies also participated and are taking part in Christmas in a shoebox .

numbers

In 2017, 409,448 gift packages were received in shoe boxes in German-speaking countries at more than 5,000 collection points at Christmas ; Around eleven million gift boxes were distributed worldwide - 8.88 million of these boxes came from the United States. Since 1993, a total of 157 million gift boxes have been given to children in 160 countries worldwide.

Controversy

Critics criticize the connection between gifts and Christian mission . Samaritan's Purse operates in a “decidedly missionary context”, according to the Evangelical Central Office for Weltanschauung questions in 2003 . Other evangelical voices like Michael Diener , member of the Council of the Evangelical Church in Germany (EKD), support the action. There are also negative and supportive voices in the Catholic Church. In 2016, the Rottenburg-Stuttgart diocese and the Dresden-Meißen diocese called for a boycott of the action in their official gazettes ; The Diocese of Trier had already done this in 2002 . Cardinal Christoph Schönborn, Archbishop of Vienna , advised participation. In a message of greeting, Pope Francis described the gift campaign as "social and charitable commitment in the spirit of the Gospel". Representatives of the Diocese of Rottenburg-Stuttgart then said that gifts of hope would reinterpret this statement in a dubious way and represent the Pope as a supporter of the gift campaign.

Another aspect of criticism is sustainability . This is doubtful in the eyes of development cooperation experts . Representatives of Gifts of Hope responded by pointing out that the campaign should be understood as a sign of appreciation and not as a contribution to development cooperation. In this context, Gifts of Hope emphasizes that Christmas gifts should not be used manipulatively; cultural and religious contexts would be taken into account. The organization also welcomes the public discussion about social and environmental standards in the production of goods and articles for giving.

Web links

Individual evidence

  1. ↑ "Gifts of Hope" becomes "Samaritan's Purse". Retrieved January 23, 2019 .
  2. ↑ A ray of hope in the midst of adversity. In Rietheim there is a collection point for the “Christmas in a shoe box” campaign . In: Südkurier (Villingen edition), November 4, 2003.
  3. ↑ give hope. Pack shoeboxes by November 15th . In: Westfalen-Blatt , November 10, 2010.
  4. ↑ CLASS! Gifts of hope. Class 10b of the Peter-Wust-Gymnasium Wittlich packs Christmas parcels for a good cause . In: Trierischer Volksfreund , December 23, 2003.
  5. ↑ a b Christmas in a shoebox. There is also a gift campaign for children in need in Idar-Oberstein . In: Rhein-Zeitung , October 4, 2003.
  6. ↑ Melanie Pratsch: Small boxes have been a great pleasure for 20 years. So that poor children don't go away empty-handed on Christmas Eve . In: Taunus Zeitung , October 13, 2015.
  7. ↑ Gifts of Hope e. V. Since 1990 "Christmas in a shoe box" . In: Mitteldeutsche Zeitung , November 14, 2007.
  8. ↑ Gifts of Hope: Gifts of Hope has a new chairman . Press release of September 29, 2016. Accessed July 4, 2018.
  9. ↑ David Yonke: Gift-filled shoe boxes spread holiday spirit. In: Toledo Blade . November 25, 2006, accessed September 5, 2018 .
  10. ↑ Ingrid Ebert: Christmas in a shoe box . In: Lausitzer Rundschau , October 18, 2013.
  11. ↑ Campaign report Christmas in a shoe box 2017. (PDF) Retrieved on September 5, 2018 . P. 13.
  12. ↑ Gifts of Hope from Dömitz students. In: Schweriner Volkszeitung , December 21, 2012.
  13. ↑ Gifts of Hope . In: Mitteldeutsche Zeitung , November 2, 2015.
  14. ↑ "Gifts of Hope" . In: Rottenburger Anzeiger , October 23, 2017.
  15. ↑ 50 packets for disadvantaged children. Hilde Schuck from Holzhausen is involved in a Christmas campaign. Bouquet deserves . In: Aar-Bote , October 19, 2007.
  16. ↑ Nicole Koch: Every day Christmas Eve in my head. Christa Kerksiek thinks of “Christmas in a shoebox” even in summer. Action starts . In: Westfalen-Blatt , October 8, 2010.
  17. ↑ Information on the Samaritan's Purse website , accessed on September 17, 2018.
  18. ^ Information on Samaritan's Purse Canada website , accessed September 17, 2018.
  19. ^ Gerhard W. Kluth: Campaign Christmas in a shoebox. Cooperation with worldwide operating, Christian organization Samaritan's Purse . In: Trierischer Volksfreund , November 13, 2001.
  20. ↑ Celebration in 381 shoe boxes . In: Lausitzer Rundschau , December 16, 2010.
  21. ↑ Students pack 50 packages. Support for the Christmas in a shoebox campaign . In: Westfalen-Blatt , November 17, 2011.
  22. ↑ Gifts give hope. High school students in grade 6b pack 75 packages for “Christmas in a shoebox” . In: Westfalen-Blatt , November 14, 2013.
  23. ↑ Marlies Steffen: A cuddly toy goes with you on the journey . In: Nordkurier , November 8, 2013.
  24. ↑ The “Christmas in a shoebox” campaign will start soon . In: Trierischer Volksfreund , September 25, 2006.
  25. ↑ St. Johannes nursing home takes part in the shoe box campaign. Seniors pack gift boxes for children . In: Westfalen-Blatt , November 9, 2010.
  26. ↑ Parcel every minute. Christa Kerksiek sends 1700 shoe boxes on her way. In: Westfalen-Blatt , November 17, 2010.
  27. ↑ The Christmas in a shoebox campaign starts in Bitburg . In: Bitburger Zeitung , October 28, 2011.
  28. ↑ 113 shoe boxes for needy children in Ukraine. A campaign by RTL Group employees: from cuddly toys to scarves . In: Luxemburger Tageblatt . December 3, 2007.
  29. ↑ Christmas in a shoebox. In: www.asb-mehrgenerationenhaus.de. Retrieved September 6, 2018 .
  30. ↑ Mehrgenerationenhaus organizes “Christmas in a shoe box” gift campaign. Packages of joy must be packed soon . In: Südkurier , October 19, 2011.
  31. ↑ "Christmas in a shoe box" - around 100 gifts packed! In: www.kiz-gallus.de. November 11, 2014, accessed September 6, 2018 .
  32. ↑ There is joy in the box. The "Christmas in a shoe box" campaign has started again . In: Westfalen-Blatt , October 6, 2010.
  33. ↑ a b "Christmas in a shoe box" starts. Bringing joy to children in poor countries with gifts . In: Gießener Anzeiger , October 23, 2007.
  34. ↑ “Christmas in a shoe box”: Almost 650 parcels sent on their way . In: Passauer Neue Presse , November 26, 2004.
  35. ↑ a b This is how Christmas works in a shoebox . In: Rhein-Zeitung , October 15, 2010.
  36. ↑ Bodo Baumert: Package for a happy party . In: Lausitzer Rundschau , October 16, 2012.
  37. ^ Nicola M. Westphal: Gifts for children in need. The “Christmas in a shoebox” campaign is running again . In: Südkurier , October 31, 2012.
  38. ↑ 52 times joy in a box. Christmas in a shoebox: children from Scherfede primary school are busy packing packages . In: Westfalen-Blatt , November 14, 2012.
  39. ↑ "Christmas in a Shoe Box®" starts online shoe box. Only a few days left until the deadline. In: www.presseportal.de. November 1, 2016, Retrieved September 17, 2018 (press release from Gifts of Hope ).
  40. ↑ Roman Rausch: A Light in the Darkness of War . In: Main-Post , September 6, 1999.
  41. ^ Josef Schäfer: Shoe boxes and sect talk . In: Main-Post , November 19, 2001.
  42. ↑ Faith, Hope and Love. In: Schaumburger Nachrichten . October 9, 2017, accessed September 6, 2018 .
  43. ↑ Gifts of Hope; Frequently asked questions , here why 8 EURO cash donation? , accessed September 17, 2018.
  44. ↑ 1026 times the joy of Christmas out of the shoe box. Stefanie Eid runs the collection point for “Christmas in a shoe box” in Usinger Land. In: Usinger Anzeiger , November 18, 2005.
  45. ↑ Sigrid Umiger: Gifts for children - "Christmas in a shoe box". Acceptance points in shops and in the Müllheim media library . In: Badische Zeitung , October 28, 2011.
  46. ↑ Stefanie Nosswitz: Parcel as a ray of hope. The “Christmas in a shoe box” campaign starts in the multigenerational house . In: Südkurier , October 23, 2013.
  47. ↑ Florian Thalmann: Christmas workshop. This is where Christmas comes in the box. In: Berliner Kurier . December 11, 2017. Retrieved September 17, 2018 .
  48. ↑ Everything about the Christmas workshop , information on the website of Gifts of Hope , accessed on September 17, 2018.
  49. ↑ Lukas Schäfer: The great joy of children comes in a shoe box . In: Südkurier (St. Georgen-Triberg), October 11, 2017.
  50. ↑ a b c Celebrating 25 Years of Giving Shoebox Gifts to Children in Need. www.samaritanspurse.org, September 1, 2018, accessed on September 5, 2018 (message on the Samaritan's Purse website ).
  51. ↑ a b Christmas in a box . In: Wiesbadener Tagblatt , November 7, 2006.
  52. ↑ On Monday, the start of the “Christmas in a shoe box” campaign - 25 acceptance points - the Lord Mayor of Giessen as patron asks for support . In: Gießener Anzeiger , October 18, 2008.
  53. ↑ Tomas Gärtner: Missionary campaign “Christmas in a shoe box” again this year . In: Leipziger Volkszeitung , October 23, 2004.
  54. ↑ Making children happy - Christmas in a shoebox for Moldova: The gift campaign runs until November 17th . In: Badische Zeitung , October 31, 2007.
  55. ^ The Greatest Journey. Discipleship Program. In: www.samaritanspurse.org. Retrieved September 17, 2018 .
  56. ↑ Gifts of Hope; Frequently asked questions , here Who distributes the shoeboxes? , accessed September 17, 2018.
  57. ↑ Samaritans Purse UK: Outreach Events - Delivering Good News , accessed September 17, 2018.
  58. ↑ a b c d History of Operation Christmas Child. In: www.samaritans-purse.org.uk. Retrieved September 6, 2018 .
  59. ↑ Manuela Reuss: A surprise from a box brings a smile back. In: Sächsische Zeitung , October 18, 2002.
  60. ↑ Seven million times joy. “Christmas in a shoebox” is giving presents to children in need for the 21st time . In: Hallertauer Zeitung , November 10, 2016.
  61. ↑ Activity report ( Presents of Hope , 2013). (PDF) In: www.geschenke-der-hoffnung.org. 2014, accessed September 6, 2018 .
  62. ↑ a b c d e Celebrities are packing packages. Retrieved September 6, 2018 (information from gifts of hope about prominent supporters).
  63. ↑ a b c d “Christmas in a shoe box” starts in the 20th season. In: evangelisch.de . October 8, 2015, accessed September 17, 2018 .
  64. ↑ Here, GNTM winner Luisa explains how Christians can change the world. In: pro. Christian media magazine . October 25, 2016. Retrieved September 17, 2018 .
  65. ↑ So that children's eyes shine. Action Christmas Child started in Brakel - joy for the poorest . In: Westfalen-Blatt , October 23, 2010.
  66. ↑ Nina Schirmer: The thing with charity . In: Sächsische Zeitung , November 12, 2016.
  67. ↑ Christmas in a shoebox. In: www.renate-kuenast.de. October 27, 2016. Retrieved September 17, 2018 .
  68. ↑ Barbara Jänichen: Patricia Schäfer patron of "Christmas in a shoe box" . In: Berliner Morgenpost , October 13, 2003.
  69. ↑ Packing campaign for "Christmas in a shoe box". In: BZ October 27, 2016, accessed on September 17, 2018 .
  70. ↑ Christmas in a shoebox. Our team packs for "gifts of hope". In: www.redbullsalzburg.at. October 31, 2017, accessed September 17, 2018 .
  71. ↑ See the corresponding list on the Gifts of Hope website, accessed September 17, 2018.
  72. ↑ Campaign report Christmas in a shoe box 2017. (PDF) Retrieved on September 5, 2018 . P. 16 f.
  73. ↑ Packing parcels for the world's poor - the Christmas in a shoebox is controversial. In: Badische Zeitung , November 27, 2003.
  74. ↑ a b Marcus Mockler: The greatest gift. Catholics argue about "Christmas in a shoebox". (No longer available online.) In: Deutsches Allgemeine Sonntagsblatt 41/2016. October 9, 2016, archived from the original on September 21, 2018 ; accessed on September 3, 2018 . Info: The archive link was inserted automatically and has not yet been checked. Please check the original and archive link according to the instructions and then remove this notice. @1@ 2Template: Webachiv / IABot / www.sonntagsblatt.de
  75. ↑ epd : Catholic Church divided on "Christmas in a shoe box". In: www.evangelisch.de. September 29, 2016, accessed September 3, 2018 .
  76. ^ Controversy about "Christmas in a shoebox". In: www.idea.de. Retrieved September 30, 2016 .
  77. ↑ No participation in the 'Christmas in a shoe box' campaign. In: www.bistum-trier.de. October 1, 2002, accessed September 17, 2018 .
  78. ^ Controversy among Catholics. “Christmas in a shoebox” divides the church . In: Hohenloher Tagblatt , September 30, 2016.
  79. ↑ Pope confirms “Christmas in a shoebox”. In: Augsburger Allgemeine . October 10, 2013, accessed September 17, 2018 .
  80. ↑ Pope supports the 'Christmas in a shoe box' campaign. In: kath.net . October 29, 2013, accessed September 17, 2018 .
  81. ↑ M. Cramberg: Gifts of hope for people in need . In: Rhein-Zeitung (Rhein-Lahn Diez edition), October 30, 2013.
  82. ↑ Parcel for children in need . In: Westfalen-Blatt , November 13, 2013.
  83. ^ Criticism of the Christian campaign "Christmas in a shoe box". In: Catholic Church in Private Radio (KiP). November 13, 2016, accessed September 17, 2018 .
  84. ↑ Marius Zippe (epd): Packing parcels for the poor of the world - the "Christmas in a shoe box" campaign is controversial . In: Badische Zeitung , November 27, 2003.
  85. ↑ Statements of Gifts of Hope on their website, accessed July 4, 2018.