<p>I SO hope that the nice folks at CC will answer this question without becoming political or argumentative.</p>
<p>Do you have a positive or negative impression of the Samaritan’s Purse organization? It is associated with Franklin Graham, who is a divisive figure. However, in recent months, their work Ebola patients has cast them in a good light.</p>
<p>Our church has a non-profit “gift market” where you can make a donation to certain organizations in a person’s honor. It is isn’t obvious, the non-profits are all Christian organizations.</p>
<p>If you received a card saying that a donation in your honor had been given to Samaritan’s Purse to support a missionary doctor, would you think that would be nice or would you be offended? (The card recipients would all be of the Christian persuasion.)</p>
<p>My congregations stopped participating in Samaritan’s Purse because of Graham’s (in our opinion) excessive salary and perks. They also weren’t too thrilled about some of the things he had to say about Muslims.</p>
<p>Is Heifer Project one of the options? We really like that organization.</p>
<p>I can’t imagine being offended by a donation made to a charity organization like that, providing aid to ebola patients. And the lengths that they went to, in order to save their health care workers, were extraordinary. Maybe someone anti-Christian would be offended by it, but I’m agnostic, and I would support any religious organization that actually gives care to others. I know there are some out there masquerading that they are helping others, while pocketing the majority of the donations or sending them to terrorist organizations, but I doubt this is one of them.</p>
<p>If anyone was actually offended by a gift made in their name to such a generous organization, well, cross them off your Christmas list!</p>
<p>I have participated in their “Operation Christmas Child” for years, but I agree with KKMama: Franklin Graham’s salary and his outspoken opinions on Muslims and gay people are real turn-offs to me. I guess that means I’d be in the “offended” camp, even though the charity does rank well with Charity Navigator. </p>
<p>Can I second the suggestion of Heifer? I know some of their employees personally and I have supported the organization in the past. It doesn’t seem to rate as well with Navigator, but I guess I’m just more of a Heifer person than a Samaritan person. </p>
<p>Just curious - what are your other options?</p>
<p>I thought the issue was going to be a little more significant than choosing a Christmas card! LOL… I was thinking, working with, for, or making a significant contribution. Oh well, while I am not a fan (that is really a gross understatement) of the Grahams, I acknowledge that Samaritan’s Purse does some very very good work and I give them credit for that. </p>
<p>The other options are more overtly religious … Providing Bibles to prisoners or books to kids at a Christian school in Africa, etc. There was only one year where one of the options was the local food bank. </p>
<p>I would be honored that you thought of me and took an action in my honor. I would not judge your choice any more than I would judge a panhandler’s choice in how he spends the coins I give him. The effort, the thought are what count. Your judgment or personal choice of charity is not even on my thought horizon. Do you need my address? ;)</p>
<p>I never heard of Samaritan’s Purse and I know nothing about Franklin Graham. I don’t even know all that much about Billy Graham, tbh. I wouldn’t care either way and I wouldn’t be offended. </p>
<p>I have a generally good impression of Samaritan’s purse. Not a huge Franklin Graham fan, but I would be honored if someone did what you are going to do.</p>
<p>I am a fan of Samaritan’s Purse. They are usually among the first on the scene when there is a disaster involving lots of people. My husband has done post-hurricane relief work and the people he helped said that SP was first on the scene. When our own area had a hurricane come through they were also the first truck I saw on the road. I’ve also been happy to see the work they’ve done with the ebola outbreak.</p>
<p>As a Methodist pastor, I know that Samaritan’s Purse does good work around the world, despite their connection with Franklin Graham. While I prefer to give to my own denominational organizations, my church has participated in Operation Christmas Child for years. It is a great way for children to be introduced to outreach and evangelism. Bear in mind, Samaritan’s Purse is an overtly evangelical Christian organization and makes no attempt to hide their religious bias. If that bothers you, then there are many, many other great organizations to donate to - Red Cross, UNICEF, etc. </p>
<p>A word about Heifer Project. My mother is a former missionary working in sub-Saharan Africa. She has partnered with Heifer Project in the past and was happy with the organization. They truly are a self-help organization and provide good educational support to their recipients. I can’t speak to their administration costs, etc., but they do good work on the ground. </p>