Warning sounds are again being made about Operation Christmas Child: a seemingly innocent Christmas gift-giving initiative operating in schools across the UK.
Operation Christmas Child, is an annual initiative which encourages parents and children to donate gifts for ‘shoeboxes’ which are sent to underprivileged children in developing countries. What many parents and teachers don’t know is that it is closely associated with Samaritan’s Purse, which is itself linked to William Franklin Graham III, a controversial American Christian evangelist. Humanists UK is calling for schools to disclose the complete information to parents before promoting donations and suggests exploring alternative, more inclusive options.
Son of well-known evangelist preacher Billy Graham, Franklin Graham has a history of making homophobic remarks, and once called for Muslims to be ‘barred from immigrating to America’. Graham is also an advocate of a complete ban on abortion and a regular attendee and speaker and the annual ‘March for Life’.
The annual Operation Christmas Child shoebox appeal is often promoted and supported by schools as a positive way to support those in need during the festive season. Despite its seemingly altruistic goals, the initiative dispatches shoeboxes filled with toys, books, and gifts to vulnerable children in Asia, Africa, and Eastern Europe, Samaritan’s Purse incorporates religious literature into the gift boxes after they leave schools. Humanists UK argues that this approach is exploiting generosity of British parents by using their innocent gifts as tools to convert poor and vulnerable children to Franklin Graham’s brand of evangelical Christianity.
Humanists UK asks schools and parents to consider non-religious gift-giving alternatives such as Oxfam and Children in Need, and has created a template letter for parents to send to schools which outlines their concerns and urges schools to reconsider their support for the Operation Christmas Child scheme. Parents are also encouraged to email campaigns@humanists.uk with any questions, or updates on correspondence with schools on this issue.
In 2022 parents at an evangelical faith school in England raised concerns with the school about supporting Operation Christmas Child. This resulted in the school concluding that the organisation’s values were ‘not in line with a school where pupils can be themselves and are respected and celebrated for who they are.’
Humanists UK’s Education Campaigns Manager Lewis Young said:
‘This is a generous and festive time of year, and we know children like to feel that they are helping other young people less fortunate than themselves. It’s no surprise, then, that Operation Christmas Child is successful at attracting donations from schools across the country. However, I’m sure many parents would, once they know the full facts behind Operation Christmas Child, prefer that their support was directed elsewhere.
‘There are plenty of suitable alternatives, and being more humanist than humbug we’re asking parents to speak with their children’s schools and look at other ways to bring Christmas joy to disadvantaged children – minus the veiled evangelism.‘
Notes
For further comment or information, media should contact Humanists UK Director of Public Affairs and Policy Richy Thompson at press@humanists.uk or phone 0203 675 0959.
Read more about Humanists UK’s campaigning on Operation Christmas Child and alternative appeals.
Read our article about how a school dropped Operation Christmas Child after parents complained about homophobia.
Humanists UK is the national charity working on behalf of non-religious people. Powered by over 120,000 members and supporters, we advance free thinking and promote humanism to create a tolerant society where rational thinking and kindness prevail. We provide ceremonies, pastoral care, education, and support services benefitting over a million people every year and our campaigns advance humanist thinking on ethical issues, human rights, and equal treatment for all.