[Hack&Lube]

The reason OCC works is because almost all of the work is done by volunteers and for free. It is a large program and takes a lot of manpower (people actually do have to open and inspect all the boxes) and logistics to handle.

I think that the people recieving these boxes have much bigger problems to worry about than maintaining a secular philosophy about life or contemplating such things as you and I. Face it, people always say that religion causes wars and hardship but they often forget that in western history, religion was most often the only source of charity, goodwill, and free medical services...not even to thirdworld countries but here at home.

Salvation Army? Young Men's Christian Association? Even a hundred years ago, most of the hospitals in many parts of the U.S. were staffed by unpaid religious workers like nuns with nursing training. You can say it was a product of the times and we're more "enlightened" now but if you subtract the religious charities from the world or simple goodwill and volunteer work from people who are religious, the poor of the world would be in much dire straits as a very large proportion of these groups have religious bases or even secular organizations have their donations from religious families and organizations.

When it comes down to poor kids with nothing, how about you give them something to enjoy and to own once a year rather than that $10 which will give him a few cups of enriched flour and water. Maybe even Flames kid from Africa got his jersey from OCC. You never know. Human pride takes a lot from our possessions and the gifts that we recieve. Be realistic, is there a comparable program? Is it better off that these kids recieve nothing and you deprive them just so that they are firewalled from things you personally don't agree with? Funny how that seems...selfish.

Samaritan's purse doesn't put any religious material in the boxes, and the boxes goto any child of any race, religion, or political background unconditionally. It's a program started by a bunch of people whose religious ideals made them want to help. The fact of the matter is that the program would not work without volunteers and it happens most of the volunteers are religiously affiliated which...you know, is what made them want to volunteer in the first place. The point of destination delivery of boxes is often done with other charity organizations and yes, with churches in the local area and yes I'm sure that some evangelical ideas are spread. If it bugs you so much, why don't you include a letter from yourself in the box explaining to the child why you gave the gifts and what your own beliefs are contrary to the organization delivering them.

Religious charities have one benefit - small overhead. That $10 doesn't become $1 after admininstration and bureaucracy. Volunteer work means a lot of it goes directly to the recipient and what you put in the box yourself can't get lost in the accounting books.