School drops religion-related gift program
A charter school in Douglas County says it will no longer participate in a Christmas donation program sponsored by a religious organization after a humanist group threatened a lawsuit.
The Denver Post reported Wednesday that SkyView Academy is dropping its participation in Operation Christmas Child, a program of The Samaritan’s Purse, a non-denominational Christian organization.
The program sends hygiene items, candy, gifts and a Christian message to disadvantaged children around the world.
The American Humanist Association confirmed Wednesday it asked the school to drop the program, saying it violated the constitutionally mandated separation of church and state. SkyView is considered a public school.
Lorrie Grove, president of the SkyView board, says board members were disappointed by the threat of a lawsuit.
