Did you reall "Give at the office"?

@reinydawn (11643)
United States
September 20, 2009 3:56pm CST
This weekend, I sat outside the local grocery store, asking people to donate money for the charity walk I'm doing in a couple weeks. Some people ignore you totally - they wont even say "Hi" back to you - others are polite, smile and greet you without giving a donation, some will say "I'll catch you on the way out", then others will tell you that they've already donated to the cause - or one like it. Many of the people who said they'd donate on their way out did, which was very reassuring. But some people would tell you extravagant stories about when/how they already donated for the same cause. I don't know if they're saying that to get them off the hook with me or if they really did. It doesn't matter to me much, they're the ones that would have to live with it if it's a lie. So, which person are you? I did pretty good and raised almost $200 this weekend! I've only got another $300 to go to meet the minimum amount. WOOHOO!!!
3 people like this
8 responses
@moondancer (7433)
• United States
20 Sep 09
You did very well, in two days..that's $100 per day. That is really good. I will give to the people asking for it. I will either give on the way in or out. If I gave on the way in I tell them on the way out that I did. I'm always nice to people trying to raise money. I mean it's never for themselves that they are doing this. It's always that they are volunteering their time and putting out the effort to raise money for a cause. And sometime, in fact many times they are in the dire heat or in the rain trying to collect for a cause. They don't have to be doing this, but they do.
2 people like this
@reinydawn (11643)
• United States
20 Sep 09
This past year has been hard to raise money because of the economy and all. I'm glad there are people out there that are still able to give for the good of others!
1 person likes this
@GardenGerty (157027)
• United States
20 Sep 09
Salvation Army is one I always give to, even though I said I do not donate outside of Wal Mart. I try to plan to have at least a little change in pocket for Salvation Army. I do buy Girl Scout Cookies there if my daughter in law has a troupe out there.
1 person likes this
@angelsmummy (1696)
20 Sep 09
I donate to charity in my own ways by going to charity shops and donating things that I no longer need to charity shops. I hate being stopped in the street by people asking for money for charity as I dont know where the moeny goes! Some people pretend to be a charitable cause and pocket the money for themselves! I know that sounds selfish but I need my money as I have 2 very young children one is 15 months and the other is just 5 weeks so every penny I get counts!
2 people like this
@reinydawn (11643)
• United States
20 Sep 09
I know exactly how you feel! And that makes me even more happy that the store I sat outside requires some sort of documentation/proof that you are legit. I know that if I donate to someone outside this store then I don't have to worry about where the money goes. I like donating my (gently) used goods to charity shops also and do it as often as I can.
1 person likes this
@GardenGerty (157027)
• United States
20 Sep 09
Unfortunately in this economy, many of us are limiting where we are giving. I donate primarily to my church. If a friend comes to me directly, I will often support them. I do not donate to events outside of Wal Mart though. What many of us do not realize is that the more generous we are, the more blessed we end up being as well. I am glad you did well. I do not tell people "I gave at the office", I do tell door to door solicitors that I give through my church and United Way.
@reinydawn (11643)
• United States
21 Sep 09
I'm not real fond of the door-to-doors either because you really don't know who they are - unless they're a neighbor you know. I'm glad that my grocery store required documentation from me to prove that I was legit! That makes more feel more confident about giving to others in the same place.
• United States
20 Sep 09
I really don't like door to door people asking, although I have given to them at times or bought things to help them out. I to buy the candy bars and cookies.
1 person likes this
@ladyhope (377)
• Canada
21 Sep 09
I have to admit, I just walk right by. I am not doing it because I am mean, though I do it because I don't want to have to explain myself to anyone. I usually can't afford to donate even a couple of dollars, first of all, and I hate having to tell people that. To many people, a couple of dollars is no big deal, and I have had people tell me that when asking for donations. To me, it is. Secondly, I give back to the community in many different ways through volunteering, but I know that using that as an excuse always got me "but we can use money rather than your time" or something along those lines, and like I said, I don't have any!
1 person likes this
@reinydawn (11643)
• United States
22 Sep 09
Hey, everyone helps out in their own ways. I don't have a lot of money either, but I do have time, legs and the ability to bug other people for money. That's why I'm doing this walk, it's my way of contributing. Volunteering is a lot of work, and there are people who don't have the time (or think they don't) so they are the ones I try to get the money from. It's funny because I have friends who can't/wont donate, but they help me in other ways - selling raffle tickets or even just keeping my spirits up when it gets a bit rough out there.
@jassi1 (170)
• India
21 Sep 09
that great do this charity even each of us should
1 person likes this
@reinydawn (11643)
• United States
22 Sep 09
Thanks! It's amazing how easy it is to do some of these things.
@nadooa247 (1096)
• United States
21 Sep 09
First off i want to congratulate you ;) personally am trying to find contributors to a scholarship fund im starting and i know how hard it is.. but standing outside trying to get people to donate is a great use of time ;) again congrats! It may seem bad to you but here it is: When people say they gave to a similar charity.. chances are they did but just as likely they didnt When people smile politely it is their way of saying: im not giving a red cent (probably like my case they only carry what they need...) As for the office.. we gave at the office... how much do you wanna bet that they don't even HAVE an office lol?? I know this may seem rather mean but it's the truth.. matter of fact is some people scrimp and save whatever few spare cents they have in hopes of perhaps buying something nice for their kids, or being able to save a few dollars for a rainy day... (usually that rainy day comes sooner than one would like) As for which person am i... i sometimes give but usually am the smiling sort.. because i usually carry only what i need because that is typically all i have lol
1 person likes this
@reinydawn (11643)
• United States
22 Sep 09
I'm pretty much like you. I actually don't usually carry cash. If it's something I know about - Girl Scouts or Boy Scouts - I will just write them a check instead of buying their cookies or popcorn (they get more money that way). But, I don't lie to them and make an excuse or promise to give later. I would also be one of the smilers :)
• Malaysia
21 Sep 09
Yes, I give everywhere. I give at the office to raise money fro a poor colleague struck down by some misfortune. I give at the church in tithes and offerings. This is to pay the pastors and to do ministry work for God. I give on the sidewalks when I see needy beggars. So, I give plenty.
1 person likes this
@reinydawn (11643)
• United States
22 Sep 09
Way to go!!! Now, where were you this past weekend when I was out collecting??? ha ha.
@mikeowl (200)
• Malaysia
21 Sep 09
I am quite sure about donation actually, cause in my country, it seems most charity donations here are mostly fradulent, scammers, cheaters and pretend. I was told that most of this charity donations companies do help the poor but most of their donations they get, almost 40% to 70% are put back into their pocket money and only 30% to 60% are put to use for helping the poor and orphanage and old folks. Therefore i seldom donate to these people asking for charity donations or even beggars. I only donate to those disabled people in the streets who perform things. This is because I think that for beggars if you are not disabled and you are not old, you still can work, what for beg for money. Some who ask for charity donations for their company are even worse still as they ask us for charity donations but when they give us to write something, they do not allow us to put the figure on the amount we give for donations. Why is it so? Most probably they try to save some money for themselves and put a lesser figure. That's why i hate these people
@reinydawn (11643)
• United States
22 Sep 09
Yes, I know there are a lot of scams out there and I am very particular about who I donate to. Fortunately, the place I had set up my table requires proper proof that you are collecting for the charity. I am also glad that 95% of the money that I raise goes for research and awareness programs. You do have to be careful because the generous person can easily be taken advantage of.