@ WWYD Classroom collecting donations for religious charity

[redheadbaker]

TLDR: At various points throughout the year, the kids at my son's public school (he's in 2nd grade) collect donations or volunteer for local charities. For example, back in November, they brought in food for an organization that supports families who have a member battling cancer. The org then put together complete Thanksgiving meals and delivered them to the families. 

Well, this time around, the charity that they're collecting donations for is an overtly religious nonprofit. The website says that they provide transitional housing for pregnant women and mothers of babies under 24 months. They state that women who stay with them do chores, pay rent, and attend Bible studies. 

Am I wrong in thinking that this isn't appropriate for a public school? There are similar charities in the area that are not religiously affiliated. 

We are new to this school, so I'm not sure if this is a one-time thing, or they partner with this charity year after year. 

[af1212]

Yes I say inappropriate.

[sometimesrunner]

Definitely inappropriate.

[downtoearth]

I would mention something to the teacher and ask how they pick them. I would also let my kid know that we don't donate to all charities and why. But I don't think this is one I'd take the admin unless they counsel on anti-abortion.

Let us know what you decide to do.

[seeyalater52]

I say inappropriate. Also seems like kind of a weird choice of charity for an elementary school just generally.

[seeyalater52]

Jan 22, 2020 18:35:15 GMT -5 downtoearth said:

I would mention something to the teacher and ask how they pick them. I would also let my kid know that we don't donate to all charities and why. But I don't think this is one I'd take the admin unless they counsel on anti-abortion.

Let us know what you decide to do.

If they require bible study participation to receive services I would burn it down. Coercion is my hill to die on.

[StrawberryBlondie]

Very inappropriate, but I'm not sure I'd say something. It's be really tricky, IMO, to not sound like you're against transitional housing for women & babies.

Could you suggest a non-religious but similar local charity instead?

[eclaires]

I wouldn’t like that.

We have one charity that is religiously affiliated that has helped us in the past (we do a huge giving tree/angel tree program that serves 240 kids) by giving us coats or coat coupons. They have a store like goodwill basically. We’ve gotten some pushback on it but it we also don’t donate to them - we basically accept their donation. Another church donates pantry boxes for our event too. I’m not crazy about this BUT we have families in need and they just get these items (no strings attached) if they want them.

[penguingrrl]

That’s very inappropriate, especially in a public school. I would definitely try to find out a bit more about them. If they’re counseling against abortion and forcing bible study to receive assistance (and let’s face it, they likely are) I would be in burn it down mode with the teacher then up the chain,

I have had kids in three public schools in three states in very different types of communities. None has ever had fundraisers for religious organizations. Only the local food pantry, the ASPCA, and a local non religious women’s shelter.

[centralsquare]

NOPE.

[mouse]

It’s inappropriate and I would say something. Even if it’s starting out by asking more questions. I feel like if we don’t address these things, the impression is left that they’re okay and they can snowball from there.

[imojoebunny]

We have one of these support centers in our neighborhood, it is funded in large part by a cooperative of churches. Pretty much every homeless shelter/support/transitional house in our area has some religious affiliation or significant church support. I just would not donate, if you don't like the religious aspect. We had people complain about the Jump Rope for the Heart fundraiser at DS's last school, which my DS was super into, because people did not want children raising funds that did not go to the school, and they didn't like the prizes because it hurt their kids feelings that they didn't get them, even though they gave them out after school, not during. Everyone doesn't have to participate in everything.

[af1212]

Jan 22, 2020 18:35:15 GMT -5 downtoearth said:

I would mention something to the teacher and ask how they pick them. I would also let my kid know that we don't donate to all charities and why. But I don't think this is one I'd take the admin unless they counsel on anti-abortion.

Let us know what you decide to do.

If I recall correctly the OP is local to me and if it’s the org I’m thinking of (initials MH?) then they definitely counsel against abortion and I do not donate goods or $$ to them.

I could be way off though - my mind is like a seive.

[TR]

Jan 22, 2020 18:38:55 GMT -5 seeyalater52 said:

Jan 22, 2020 18:35:15 GMT -5 downtoearth said:

I would mention something to the teacher and ask how they pick them. I would also let my kid know that we don't donate to all charities and why. But I don't think this is one I'd take the admin unless they counsel on anti-abortion.

Let us know what you decide to do.

If they require bible study participation to receive services I would burn it down. Coercion is my hill to die on.

Same. If the foundation of your organization is religious, whatever, but when you start forcing it on those you're supposedly serving I'm out.

[rosiebear]

I think it is inappropriate and the suggestion that you merely decline to participate doesn’t cut it, imo. Your kid shouldn’t be “othered” because the PUBLIC SCHOOL chose a religious org. That’s their mistake and they need to fix it.

[rosiebear]

Jan 22, 2020 19:00:41 GMT -5 imojoebunny said:

We have one of these support centers in our neighborhood, it is funded in large part by a cooperative of churches. Pretty much every homeless shelter/support/transitional house in our area has some religious affiliation or significant church support. I just would not donate, if you don't like the religious aspect. We had people complain about the Jump Rope for the Heart fundraiser at DS's last school, which my DS was super into, because people did not want children raising funds that did not go to the school, and they didn't like the prizes because it hurt their kids feelings that they didn't get them, even though they gave them out after school, not during. Everyone doesn't have to participate in everything.

This is not even close to the same thing.

[redheadbaker]

Jan 22, 2020 19:05:14 GMT -5 af1212 said:

Jan 22, 2020 18:35:15 GMT -5 downtoearth said:

I would mention something to the teacher and ask how they pick them. I would also let my kid know that we don't donate to all charities and why. But I don't think this is one I'd take the admin unless they counsel on anti-abortion.

Let us know what you decide to do.

If I recall correctly the OP is local to me and if it’s the org I’m thinking of (initials MH?) then they definitely counsel against abortion and I do not donate goods or $$ to them.

I could be way off though - my mind is like a seive.

I'm in the Philly burbs. The initials of this org are CoH.

[suburbanzookeeper]

I would send a note to an administrator (unless it's a class specific thing then it should go to the teacher) asking how the organizations are selected. I would not allow my children to participate and I would vocalize (based on the response from the school) why I don't want to support/feel it's inappropriate.

[redheadbaker]

I figured they had already coordinated with the charity and wouldn't want to back out, so I simply commented on the post announcing the donation sign-up: "Is it possible next time around to choose a charity that is not religiously affiliated?"

And someone (not the classroom mom who made the announcement): "[Organizer], thank you so much for coordinating this!
I really don’t care about the religious affiliation considering that it is aimed to help women and their children. If someone has a problem then I guess they just don’t have to participate 😊"

[af1212]

Jan 22, 2020 19:23:09 GMT -5 redheadbaker said:

Jan 22, 2020 19:05:14 GMT -5 af1212 said:

If I recall correctly the OP is local to me and if it’s the org I’m thinking of (initials MH?) then they definitely counsel against abortion and I do not donate goods or $$ to them.

I could be way off though - my mind is like a seive.

I'm in the Philly burbs. The initials of this org are CoH.

Yes to Burbs but obviously different organization.

[imojoebunny]

Jan 22, 2020 19:20:07 GMT -5 rosiebear said:

Jan 22, 2020 19:00:41 GMT -5 imojoebunny said:

We have one of these support centers in our neighborhood, it is funded in large part by a cooperative of churches. Pretty much every homeless shelter/support/transitional house in our area has some religious affiliation or significant church support. I just would not donate, if you don't like the religious aspect. We had people complain about the Jump Rope for the Heart fundraiser at DS's last school, which my DS was super into, because people did not want children raising funds that did not go to the school, and they didn't like the prizes because it hurt their kids feelings that they didn't get them, even though they gave them out after school, not during. Everyone doesn't have to participate in everything.

This is not even close to the same thing.

I should have said more clearly, our public schools raise funds, take donations of items, encourage volunteering for the Support Center that is run by churches and includes religion.  My bad, I thought I implied that, but obviously, I did not communicate that well.  

[heyjude]

Even w/out the Bible stuff it feels like a weird charity for young kids to be supporting.

[winecat]

Jan 22, 2020 19:57:21 GMT -5 redheadbaker said:

I figured they had already coordinated with the charity and wouldn't want to back out, so I simply commented on the post announcing the donation sign-up: "Is it possible next time around to choose a charity that is not religiously affiliated?"

And someone (not the classroom mom who made the announcement): "[Organizer], thank you so much for coordinating this!
I really don’t care about the religious affiliation considering that it is aimed to help women and their children. If someone has a problem then I guess they just don’t have to participate 😊"

If I was closer, I'd offer to shank that bitch.  

[CloudBee]

I'm christian, and a public school sponsoring this fundraising event rubs ME the wrong way. I think it's a poor choice both due to religious affiliation, and the type of charity (religion aside).

[redheadbaker]

Apparently, this was organized by the three second-grade teachers, after the three of them volunteered there on MLK Day.

[AAM2012]

Jan 22, 2020 19:57:21 GMT -5 redheadbaker said:

I figured they had already coordinated with the charity and wouldn't want to back out, so I simply commented on the post announcing the donation sign-up: "Is it possible next time around to choose a charity that is not religiously affiliated?"

And someone (not the classroom mom who made the announcement): "[Organizer], thank you so much for coordinating this!
I really don’t care about the religious affiliation considering that it is aimed to help women and their children. If someone has a problem then I guess they just don’t have to participate 😊"

Oh hell no!

Was this in an email type announcement or how did you get this message. I would burn it down..and not participate.

[redheadbaker]

Jan 22, 2020 20:54:20 GMT -5 AAM2012 said:

Jan 22, 2020 19:57:21 GMT -5 redheadbaker said:

I figured they had already coordinated with the charity and wouldn't want to back out, so I simply commented on the post announcing the donation sign-up: "Is it possible next time around to choose a charity that is not religiously affiliated?"

And someone (not the classroom mom who made the announcement): "[Organizer], thank you so much for coordinating this!
I really don’t care about the religious affiliation considering that it is aimed to help women and their children. If someone has a problem then I guess they just don’t have to participate 😊"

Oh hell no!

Was this in an email type announcement or how did you get this message. I would burn it down..and not participate.

No, it's in a Facebook group. There's one for each class level (Class of 2028, Class of 2029, Class of 2030, etc.). It was posted in the group, with a link to a SignUp Genius. 

[heyjude]

Jan 22, 2020 19:57:21 GMT -5 redheadbaker said:

I figured they had already coordinated with the charity and wouldn't want to back out, so I simply commented on the post announcing the donation sign-up: "Is it possible next time around to choose a charity that is not religiously affiliated?"

And someone (not the classroom mom who made the announcement): "[Organizer], thank you so much for coordinating this!
I really don’t care about the religious affiliation considering that it is aimed to help women and their children. If someone has a problem then I guess they just don’t have to participate 😊"

What a bitch!

This is classic passive aggressive mom bitchiness.

😡

[heyjude]

Elementary school mom shaming is the WORST.

[seeyalater52]

Jan 22, 2020 20:43:28 GMT -5 redheadbaker said:

Apparently, this was organized by the three second-grade teachers, after the three of them volunteered there on MLK Day.

This is also super weird. Asking their students and their families to donate to a random cause they happen to e involved in on their own time? Weird.