Sally Ann Gets Picky about Donated Toys

[Locke]

Originally Posted by Bertuzzied

We just donated over 80 shoeboxes from my work this year. Maybe it's time we look somewhere else next year for our charity drives.

I havent read all this, so take it with a grain of salt, I dont have time to actually find the news articles so heres a website that itemizes grievances against OCC. I dont know who runs the site or what their angle is though.

http://www.inminds.com/occ.html

[Jimmy Stang]

I haven't donated to the Salvation Army in years because I can't support many of their "positions". They have made a choice to take a stand on certain issues, and I have made a choice of where my donations go.

It is important, however, to remember to donate somewhere if you are so inclined. It is easy enough to pass by the bell ringers on moral grounds, but it does require a little bit more effort on our part to seek out charities that do good work AND are congruent with your own personal beliefs.

Unfortunately, the Salvation Army will still end up going to the media with a public guilt trip... I mean plea... because donations are down compared to the past. Hopefully those donations were still made by the public but to other agencies.

[Ashartus]

I've been told the Calgary Catholic Schoolboard stopped having their schools donate to Operation Christmas Child for a variety of reasons, including very high overhead costs and often showing up in a village with boxes for only some of the kids (creating conflict), as well as very aggressive evangelizing. It's one of those charities that sounds really good on the surface until you start digging deeper.

[Reggie Dunlop]

Originally Posted by ken0042

Last point; if a Jewish Synagogue was having a food drive; would you blame them for rejecting canned hams?

Ever eaten canned ham? It's a smelly, compressed, gelatinous brick of flavorless pork entrails.

They'd be doing poor folks a favor not distributing canned hams.

[CaptainCrunch]

Yeah wait til you get a load of the whole turkey in a can

[alltherage]

Yeah yeah it's not the can of ham that's the point.

[troutman]

Mission and Values:

http://www.salvationarmy.ca/missionandvalues/

RESPECT

We promote the dignity of all persons.

We believe that all people are created in God’s image. Although we are sinful creatures, we believe that Jesus was sent to restore the relationship between God and humanity. We treat people with dignity, recognizing that they are loved by God. We work to break down barriers that promote an us/them perception. We do not see only the needs and weakness of people, but also the gifts and strengths that God has given them. We work alongside people helping them to recognize their worth in Christ.

RELEVANCE

We seek to understand and meet the needs of people in our communities.

We adapt our methods to meet changes in those needs. We are progressive and pursue innovation and effectiveness. Our ministries respond to the demographics of the people living in their communities. We undertake studies to determine how we can serve best.

Position Statements:

http://www.salvationarmy.ca/positionstatements/

Living fully in accordance with biblical standards calls for chastity outside of heterosexual marriage and faithfulness within it. We do not believe that same-sex attraction is necessarily blameworthy and we oppose the vilification and mistreatment of gays and lesbians. We believe that we are accountable for the ways in which we express our sexuality. While recognizing the challenge that this presents, The Salvation Army believes firmly in the power of God’s grace to enable all to live in a manner that is pleasing to Him

[kirant]

Originally Posted by hulkrogan

Apparently Operation Christmas Child (the shoebox one) pretty much makes kids convert if they want to get their box of crap. Brutal.

They basically make you convert to volunteer for them. The last few years, their training videos for volunteers and the music they play while you look through the boxes is just saturated with religious connotations.

[Devils'Advocate]

Originally Posted by Knalus

Actually, in light of many of the previous comments made by reactionary posters, I think I will be considering donating to the Sally Ann for the first time this year. With the silly negative reactions here, it appears they need my donations more than ever. Thanks CP for helping me choose a charity this year.

Refusing to donate to a group that consider homosexuality wrong is "silly"?

If you support that position, by all means....

"I think it is wrong to kick dogs"
"HAHA! I'll show you!! I'm going to kick TWO dogs!!"
Oi.

[Yeah_Baby]

Samaritan's Purse is the name of the organization that does Operations Christmas Child. It was started by Franklin Graham. You know, Billy Graham the televangelists son.

[GreenTeaFrapp]

Originally Posted by Devils'Advocate

Refusing to donate to a group that consider homosexuality wrong is "silly"?

If you support that position, by all means....

"I think it is wrong to kick dogs"
"HAHA! I'll show you!! I'm going to kick TWO dogs!!"
Oi.

I think it's silly to focus on their stance on homosexuality when they have a similar stance on heterosexuality, as well as their conservative stances on alcohol, gambling, abortion, porn, Sundays and a wide array of other issues.

It just sounds like you're trying to hard to be politically correct.

[Devils'Advocate]

What do you mean they have a similar stance on heterosexuality? Do they believe that heterosexuals should be allowed to marry? Do they believe that homosexuals should be allowed to marry?

[Finny61]

Maybe you should go back in the thread, you just might find some enlightenment.

[Reggie Dunlop]

Originally Posted by alltherage

Yeah yeah it's not the can of ham that's the point.

Is there any point to canning ham?

[Finny61]

Originally Posted by Reggie Dunlop

Is there any point to canning ham?

Is there any point in Twilight toys?

[GreenTeaFrapp]

Originally Posted by Devils'Advocate

What do you mean they have a similar stance on heterosexuality? Do they believe that heterosexuals should be allowed to marry? Do they believe that homosexuals should be allowed to marry?

I don't see anything on their websites that states homosexuals can't marry.

But I guess you have no problem with their stances on other issues. So you don't drink, gamble, watch pornography or take illicit drugs all while keeping the Sabbath holy?

[CaramonLS]

Originally Posted by GreenTeaFrapp

I don't see anything on their websites that states homosexuals can't marry.

But I guess you have no problem with their stances on other issues. So you don't drink, gamble, watch pornography or take illicit drugs all while keeping the Sabbath holy?

I bet you're still allowed to donate a poker set to the SA.

[HPLovecraft]

Mmm, canned ham.

[Dion]

Sally Ann directive not national policy

But a spokesman with the Salvation Army's headquarters says that does not reflect the organization's national policies.

"It's difficult to put together a national policy in a situation like this when every community that has a toy drive and then distributes those toys does things slightly differently. But having said that, we will be taking a look at things, we will review it to ensure we continue to do things in the best manner possible," says Andrew Burditt.

The Salvation Army has no policy against distributing Harry Potter or similar toys and, in fact, these types of toys are donated and distributed in some areas.

Decisions about what to distribute are made at the local level, often in consultation with parents of recipients and based on years of feedback.

http://calgary.ctv.ca/servlet/an/loc...ub=CalgaryHome

[Thor]

Secularism and charity, making more sense every day.