'Tis the season for giving - not!

[moiradochartaigh]

Warning - rant ahead..... :augh:

Every year for the last 7 years, my office has participated in the "Adopt-A-Family" program. We only have about 30 people in our satellite office, but we've consistently out-donated any other department -- including those at the home office up the street. No one has ever had any issue with donating; in fact, last year people were so generous that we were able to sponsor THREE families.

It's been the same type of story every year -- single mom/three kids, recently disabled parent, etc. This year, the lady who volunteered to organize the donating decided that it would be a good idea for us to do the military option. Any money donated (the suggested donation was $5-$10) gets turned into gift cards for places like WalMart, Target and grocery stores. The gift cards are then given to families with one (or both) parents actively serving in Iraq -- gift cards are much easier to deal with because they can be used anywhere in the country, and the families can get whatever they need. Great idea, right?

Apparently not. I checked with the donation collector today. With the $20 we each pitched in, we had a total of..... $40. I don't fricken' believe it! Nobody in our department is going through any financial hardships. To the contrary -- everyone's been bragging about how much they're spending on Christmas this year ("Oh, I finished my shopping last month, but I just HAD to buy that extra little [insert useless item here] for little Timmy!"). A couple of people actually had the testicular fortitude to say that they weren't going to contribute to anything related to the war because they didn't "believe" in it.

It just burns me that there are people laying their lives on the line everyday so that these IDIOTS have the freedom to buy whatever they want (and probably don't need). Most of these military families have to survive at or below poverty level, but does that make a difference? Guess not......

Cretins.

Sorry..... rant over.

[Bean]

Yep, makes ya' kinda sick inside doesn't it? I picked 2 angels off our mall's angel tree and picked out stuff for the 2 girls. Makes you feel good inside to do things like that.

Be proud that you are one of the few that has a conscience and can afford to help others. What goes around comes around and you will be rewarded in ways you cannot imagine..............

[Buxom Wench]

Yep, makes ya' kinda sick inside doesn't it? I picked 2 angels off our mall's angel tree and picked out stuff for the 2 girls. Makes you feel good inside to do things like that.

Be proud that you are one of the few that has a conscience and can afford to help others. What goes around comes around and you will be rewarded in ways you cannot imagine..............

You just gave me a GREAT idea...::hug::

Thru a credit card I used to use, I have $130 of gift certificates(free cash).
I can't for the life of me think what to buy for those I know so, I'm going to go buy stuff for kids that will appreciate it and make them a happy holiday season.

Thanks again for the idea!

[Vixynne Rose]

You just gave me a GREAT idea...::hug::

Thru a credit card I used to use, I have $130 of gift certificates(free cash).
I can't for the life of me think what to buy for those I know so, I'm going to go buy stuff for kids that will appreciate it and make them a happy holiday season.

Thanks again for the idea!

::yay:: ::yay:: ::yay::
And through a thread meant to point out that some people are being Scrooge-y, ideas are sparked which will make the holidays happier for some kids in need! Wenches rock!

[Mistress Morigianna]

Monday I have a xmas party forthe Inland Insider, a GLTG mag I write a colum for. We are raising money for the Inland Aids Project. We are collecting toys and doing raffles and silent auctions etc.....

I just bought 5 toys a Big Lots with the 25.00 the store gave me- 1 my little pony stable with ponies, 1 playdoh set with cutters, 1 bead jewery making kit, a Pirate toy set (like legos), and a music set with a drum, flute and tamberine. The lady behind me was buying one 40.00 bratz set to donate to her toys for tots. After seeing my stuff she went back and got 3 toys instead of the one.

Now on to make the rainbow foil santa hats for raffle and wrap the huge platter and gift basket we are Donating to the aucton ;-)

Even a little bit can make such a difference in someones life.

[Ysobelle]

So Moira...is there anything WE can do for your collection? I'm broke this week, but next week I can probably throw some bucks your cause's way.

[MacKahlia]

And if you want some other good giving ideas and some warmer hearts...

I just recently became an advisory for the American Red Cross Club at my high school. My kids are donating Coats for Kids and getting supplies for shelters ... all season long. And they were really bumed that they couldnt also do Toys for Tots and a food drive (couldnt AT school, another club does those) but, we did do Scouting for Food...

So if you are in the Lancaster / PARF area and have some coats to donate... call me :) Or small sized toiletries for the local shelters... We've already sent 5 boxes to Teen Haven!

So, While some adults have their heads up their butts about giving this season to people in need, the teenagers around here are helping out ANYONE in need... because they can!

They are such awesome kids!!! ::yay::

[Bean]

Every little bit helps someone in need. Most of us have so much and don't realize how horrible it is to need basic item and not be able to afford them.

A local bank in PA would get mesh stockings and ask that customers fill them themed for either boy, girl, man, woman and then took them to local shelters. I filled one last year with basic things from the dollar store; didn't cost me a whole lot and made me feel good about doing something to help.

Now that I have a good paying job I try to do as much as I can. The $50 I spent on the Angel tree stuff didn't hurt my wallet (so I don't eat out 6 lunches at McDonalds, that even helps me!!!), and it gives you a warm fuzzy inside.

[DoñaNina]

A couple of people actually had the testicular fortitude to say that they weren't going to contribute to anything related to the war because they didn't "believe" in it.


Holy. Shite. That is seriously f'd up.

[Ysobelle]

I don't believe in the war, either, but I'd kiss a soldier any day.

Wait, maybe that's not saying as much as I mean to say....

[moiradochartaigh]

So Moira...is there anything WE can do for your collection? I'm broke this week, but next week I can probably throw some bucks your cause's way.


Thank you very much for the offer, but I just came back from the office holiday party with some great news.

When our department director came back from her two-week business trip last night, she read the email our admin person had sent her and was thoroughly disgusted by the poor response (she has one son in the Air Force and another in his last year at West Point).

She stayed up late making a PowerPoint montage using some old family photos of her father and grandfather in the Army, and pictures that her sons had sent her - photos of boot camp, parades, and most importantly some of her sons' friends who are currently serving over in Iraq. When the end of the party came around and it was time for all the holiday season wishes, she asked for a moment of silence for all those who won't be with their families this year, then played the presentation. There was barely a dry eye in the house. Then the wallets started to open, including most of the servers at the restaurant.

We now have a little under $1000. Too bad it took the guilt trip to do it, but every little bit helps.....

I've read the posts that have been put up regarding this, and once again I'm amazed at the generousity and the encouragement from all of you. If you want to help, I'd say take that extra couple of dollars (or four or five if you're a Starbucks fan) you would have spent on a cup of coffee, buy a small toy, and drop it by a Toys for Tots center or a local shelter. Or drop that handful of change from the floor of your car into a Salvation Army kettle. You don't have to have lots of spare money laying around to make a difference to someone.

I'd rather have the smile on someone's face than a cup of coffee any day....

[Mistress Morigianna]

Thank you
Or drop that handful of change from the floor of your car into a Salvation Army kettle. You don't have to have lots of spare money laying around to make a difference to someone.

I'd rather have the smile on someone's face than a cup of coffee any day....

Better to go to the web site and pay them directly. The kettle bell people work on commision and take a part of the pot.
We also collect dog & cat food for the shelter here & we gift wrap presents for donations. Don't forget the furry ones need help too.

[Ysobelle]

I'm not trying to start a flame war over the Salvation Army, but this gave me some food for thought. And also something to research.


http://angry-biscuit.livejournal.com/529452.html

And for some measure of balance:

http://www.salvationarmyusa.org/usn%5Cwww_usn.nsf/vw-search/85256DDC007274DF80256B7D0054B5BA?opendocument

[Buxom Wench]

I'm not trying to start a flame war over the Salvation Army, but this gave me some food for thought. And also something to research.


http://angry-biscuit.livejournal.com/529452.html

And for some measure of balance:

http://www.salvationarmyusa.org/usn%5Cwww_usn.nsf/vw-search/85256DDC007274DF80256B7D0054B5BA?opendocument

I think this one statement disturbed me the most:

"...the services of The Salvation Army are available to all who qualify,...."

Qualify? Qualify for what? I think I need verification on that statement alone. :unamused:

[Gemdrite]

I am only guessing, but the statement about qualifying is probably the same for any charity. To receive it, you need to be below a certain income level, or meet other standards of poverty or need. They were designed to help the poor, but there has to be some way to decide who then receives the help.

As far as kettle people working on comission? My grandfather has rung bells for the salvation army for years, and never once has he gotten paid. The people ringing bells are supposed to be volunteers. Maybe it's different in your area of the US?

[Mistress Morigianna]

I am only guessing, but the statement about qualifying is probably the same for any charity. To receive it, you need to be below a certain income level, or meet other standards of poverty or need. They were designed to help the poor, but there has to be some way to decide who then receives the help.

As far as kettle people working on comission? My grandfather has rung bells for the salvation army for years, and never once has he gotten paid. The people ringing bells are supposed to be volunteers. Maybe it's different in your area of the US?

when i was in high school I answered an adfor part time work with the public for charity. They told me thn I got 20% of what came in the bucket.
I didn'tdo it because i got another job.

[Gemdrite]

Hmm..I seem to be resurrecting dead threads lately...I do apologize.

However, there had been some discussion in this thread about whether or not the Salvation Army makes bell ringers work on commission or not, and I was just reading through Snopes and found this post, so I thought I would post the link in the originating thread instead of starting a new one.

http://www.snopes.com/inboxer/charity/bellringer.asp

[renren]

I think this one statement disturbed me the most:

"...the services of The Salvation Army are available to all who qualify,...."

Qualify? Qualify for what? I think I need verification on that statement alone. :unamused:

Sadly, I think that developed because people who don't need the help and are just greedy asshats want easy money,but that's just my guess..