Go Fund Me - go away!
@AbbyGreenhill (45496)
United States
April 14, 2017 7:24am CST
It seems almost daily someone either sets up a new Go Fund Me page or bumps up an old one. For those of you that don't know what that is - well, it's a site where people literally beg for money from friends and strangers.
I was scanning through Facebook yesterday and came across someone I know that has had a GFM page for well over a year. She was talking with a friend of hers who also has one. The friend said something like, 'I am so tired of no one donating to my Go Fund Me I might take it down'. Gosh, gee, maybe you need to put some effort into earning money instead of begging for it.
I know there are desperate people and desperate people do desperate things. But how do you continue to beg from your friends day after day and month after month?
I can't possibly be the only person in the world who finds this public begging offensive. I don't donate to anyone. I donate to animal rescue groups, especially lab groups.
Do you find places like Go Fund Me offensive?
Photo from Pixabay
29 people like this
29 responses
@LovingMyBabies (85127)
• Valdosta, Georgia
14 Apr 17
Not everywhere has places to turn for help. My family had one set up, a friend did it for us years ago when my husband got hurt on the job. He cut two fingers almost completely off, cut through muscles, ligaments and tendons and had to have surgery.
Anyway...we had 3 of our children at the time. My husband couldn't use his hand or get out of bed half the time being on strong pain meds so I couldn't work since he couldn't watch the kids.
If I worked it would just be enough to pay for daycare, kind of pointless. So...we needed help.
Thank God not everyone in this world has a problem helping others or we would have been homeless. =( There were angels that gave us food and a few hundred dollars to help us. It was so nice and we were so grateful!!
3 people like this
@LovingMyBabies (85127)
• Valdosta, Georgia
14 Apr 17
@AbbyGreenhill Oh okay yes that's very different. There are some people that do genuinely need help though and places in certain areas don't help. That's why unfortunately we had to beg for help which was embarrassing for us but we had to put our pride aside for our kids.
1 person likes this
@DanieGirl80587 (2713)
• United States
14 Apr 17
You were very fortunate upon the kindness of strangers as well as the family and friends that helped. :-)
2 people like this
@AbbyGreenhill (45496)
• United States
14 Apr 17
@LovingMyBabies - you were fortunate. And you truly needed help. I have no problem helping others, when they deserve the help...but when the same people use FGM every month - that's pushing it. When I see people who are capable of working and have no reason not to but choose to beg that's a different situation.
2 people like this
@Happy2BeMe (99399)
• Canada
14 Apr 17
I don't mind them if they are for a good cause like helping somebody with medical expenses or something like that. Some of them are just ridiculous though.
3 people like this
@AbbyGreenhill (45496)
• United States
14 Apr 17
Where this girl llives there are all kinds of organizations that are helping her pay rent, utilities, and food.
1 person likes this
@Asylum (47893)
• Manchester, England
14 Apr 17
@AbbyGreenhill Surely people must realise that this is just begging and very unlikely to be honest.
1 person likes this
@AbbyGreenhill (45496)
• United States
14 Apr 17
Oh but they do. On the Go Fund Me page you can see who donated and the amounts.
1 person likes this
@AbbyGreenhill (45496)
• United States
14 Apr 17
@Asylum I know that it is possible that a few are legit. I also know a few who are just too lazy to work...instead they stay home and have one baby after another.
1 person likes this
@AbbyGreenhill (45496)
• United States
14 Apr 17
Most days I like dogs better than people!!
3 people like this
@minx267 (15527)
• Hartford, Connecticut
14 Apr 17
@AbbyGreenhill I think that describes me every day.. lol
1 person likes this
@AbbyGreenhill (45496)
• United States
14 Apr 17
@minx267 LOL!!!! Welcome to my world Ha Ha!!!
1 person likes this
@LadyDuck (458091)
• Switzerland
14 Apr 17
@AbbyGreenhill The reason surely is that she is not so much in pain as she pretends in order to get money.
@AbbyGreenhill (45496)
• United States
14 Apr 17
@LadyDuck I agree. She said her husband could not get a doc app't due to an unpaid balance. She goes to the doc we went to for 5 years and you have to have a pretty big balance before they turn you away. He finally went to the ER - so we're all paying for his medical care one way or another.
1 person likes this
@AbbyGreenhill (45496)
• United States
14 Apr 17
They just had a free health fair in her county but she with all her aches and pains she didn't bother going...see, you give her the means and she ignores the help.
1 person likes this
@fishtiger58 (29823)
• Momence, Illinois
14 Apr 17
It depends on the cause but yes I find them offensive too. I'm so sorry you are sick or whatever but we all have problems and bills.
2 people like this
@AbbyGreenhill (45496)
• United States
14 Apr 17
They have three or four pets, both have fancy cell phones....go figure.
1 person likes this
@fishtiger58 (29823)
• Momence, Illinois
14 Apr 17
@AbbyGreenhill It's shameful, I went to the store with my son today and I was telling him about your post. He told me a Go Fund Me account was made for his ex girlfriend so she could buy a new car. Now she has an awesome new car, really shameful.
@AbbyGreenhill (45496)
• United States
14 Apr 17
@fishtiger58 That's disgusting...that's why they should not exist...I hope they aren't giving her money for gas now.
1 person likes this
@KrauseHome (36448)
• United States
15 Apr 17
This is one thing that really bugs me as well. When we were going to almost loose our house to Foreclosure about 2 and half yrs ago, we tried a Go Fund Me page. It unfortunately did not work, and no one was wanting to donate to us. Since then we have known people we actually know who have 3 people in their house do a Go Fund Me page and actually get quite a bit, and now every time you turn around someone they know they are doing one for them, but would never help us and have even called us the Devil etc. So yes, a lot of SCAMMERS are trying to get $$ on there so unless I really know the person is hurting I just ignore the many ones you sometimes see posted on Facebook
2 people like this
@AbbyGreenhill (45496)
• United States
15 Apr 17
Most of the people I have as friends on FB are not like that, thankfully...Jsut two, one I have unfriended because I'm sick of witnessessing her beg and people sent her moey and things...It's not right.
1 person likes this
@AbbyGreenhill (45496)
• United States
15 Apr 17
As long as I 'knew' it was true that would be ok...but sometimes how do you know?
@celticeagle (159058)
• Boise, Idaho
15 Apr 17
It's pathetic. I saw a story on Dr. Phil about a gal that put one up saying she had cancer and didn't.
2 people like this
@celticeagle (159058)
• Boise, Idaho
15 Apr 17
@AbbyGreenhill .....Perhaps husbands need to pitch in a little. Some others don't have a work ethic.
@AbbyGreenhill (45496)
• United States
15 Apr 17
I am sure there are many like that, I have not seen any like that...just a few who like to beg. One girl has 6 kids and another on the way, she doesn't work - does online writing stuff and begs off her family. I just shake my head.
1 person likes this
@Tampa_girl7 (48958)
• United States
15 Apr 17
It depends on the reason that they are asking. 
1 person likes this
@AbbyGreenhill (45496)
• United States
15 Apr 17
One that was going on was to repair a motor home - the owners didn't work, she mooched off family .
1 person likes this
@AbbyGreenhill (45496)
• United States
15 Jun 17
@Tampa_girl7 It sure was. I finally unfriended her I don't want to hear or know about her finances.
@CookieMonster46 (13447)
• United States
15 Apr 17
I belong to several groups and have seen people post them for a variety of reasons. One lady in my group had a picture of her boyfriend laying in bed sleeping.. saying he is out of work , we are behind in rent, need money. Well it didn't go over, some people made comments saying he should be out of bed looking for work nd her too, get off the computer and look for work. I don't like getting these request on my fb wall from friends asking, as I am going to say no, because honestly I don't have the extra to fund anyone. I can help you with a meal, or listen to you but not money.
2 people like this
@AbbyGreenhill (45496)
• United States
16 Apr 17
@CookieMonster46 No is a word many don't know how to use.
@AbbyGreenhill (45496)
• United States
15 Apr 17
I would surely not donate to anyone who is shows as lounging around - that's sad, people must think others are gulliable. Well, some are.
1 person likes this
@CookieMonster46 (13447)
• United States
16 Apr 17
@AbbyGreenhill ,I can say no , a lot more than I used to, no go fund me donations from me.
1 person likes this
@AbbyGreenhill (45496)
• United States
14 Apr 17
That won't happen in this lifetime - sorry!
1 person likes this
@AbbyGreenhill (45496)
• United States
14 Apr 17
@nanette64 The old expression - God helps those who help themselves applies LOL!
2 people like this
@Morleyhunt (21737)
• Canada
15 Apr 17
I see GoFundMe page that I support and can get behind....I also see some that I think...get a life.
A family member set up a GoFundMe to try to raise money to buy a house....not from me...if you want a house...gr a job...earn some money...apply yourself....
On the other hand I have a niece who has Zellweger Syndrome, there are 20 children in Canada that are affected. Because of this they will be travelling to Montreal for a study and to Washington DC for possible treatment. None of these expenses are covered by insurance or any other funding. Someone (not Family) set up a GoFundMe to help to cover some of their expenses. I can get behind that cause...I can and will donate.
2 people like this
@AbbyGreenhill (45496)
• United States
15 Apr 17
That's a whole different story for sure. I can understand that....as long as it's 'true' that would be acceptable. There was a local story about a woman dying of cancer - all over the news, all kinds of donations - people at her job gave up their vacation time to her....it came out later she doesn't have cancer, not even sick. She went to court and was found guilty.
@AbbyGreenhill (45496)
• United States
15 Apr 17
@Morleyhunt People (most anyway) of our generation don't believe in begging....we believe in working for what you need.
@Morleyhunt (21737)
• Canada
15 Apr 17
@AbbyGreenhill I would never donate to someone's wedding fund....vacation fund.....but medical expenses and travel for medical...that's legitimate. Last year we had a local toddler who had a run in with a lawnmower. Friends of the family set up a GoFundMe for the expenses...that's legitimate....but no I don't agree with those who want me to fund their pleasures....like you said...get a a job. When my husband was off work when our children were little....I went out to tie grapes to put groceries on the table..we didn't consider asking anyone for help....
1 person likes this
@Chels0116 (75)
•
14 Apr 17
I don't find them offensive, I mean if the first thing they do is make a GFM instead of doing everything they possibly could first then that's not right. Those people that scam people as well are horrible and they'll get whats coming to them. Not everyone that make them are scammers and its not the first place they go. My friends mom recently made one, She has done everything to try to earn enough money to help my friend with medical bills/ prescription etc. Both of them are working, and im pretty sure the mom has two jobs. She really didn't even want to do a GFM (even though it was the last resort). I think its ridiculous to use it to scam people though but you never really know who's the scammer.
1 person likes this
@AbbyGreenhill (45496)
• United States
15 Apr 17
Since you personally know them, that's your decision to give or not...but mostly the people who start them are trying to draw in strangers and it's hard for a stranger to know what is the truth and what isn't.
@Chels0116 (75)
•
16 Apr 17
@AbbyGreenhill Yeah i know that, but even really before someone i knew had made one they never bothered me. Its like someone standing on the street begging for money. You never know whether the people on the streets are scammers or really need help. I don't think they're offensive, like what if it was you that was in that situation. if you don't trust it thats fine, you don't have to give. But i thinks it's okay for someone to be "desperate" things happen you cant really control every little thing. You never really know what could happen.
@AbbyGreenhill (45496)
• United States
15 Apr 17
You would assume that, but there are some who do donate when its clear as a bell something is off.
@AbbyGreenhill (45496)
• United States
14 Apr 17
I worked years to be where I am and I don't look fondly on those who want it all for free.
2 people like this
@marlina (154166)
• Canada
15 Apr 17
@AbbyGreenhill Same here, my husband and I worked for what we have. Some people just want to get all the good stuff and not make an effort to get there.
This "entitlement" gets to me.
1 person likes this
@JESSY3236 (18923)
• United States
14 Apr 17
i think the only time it should be used is for a family who had someone die, or if the family had a fire or something bad happened.
1 person likes this
@AbbyGreenhill (45496)
• United States
14 Apr 17
I can understand that. Down here when something like that happens donation boxes will pop up all over for them. They will talk about it on TV and people really rush in to help.
1 person likes this
@AbbyGreenhill (45496)
• United States
15 Apr 17
There are people who will try anything to get money - anything except work for it.
1 person likes this
@AbbyGreenhill (45496)
• United States
15 Apr 17
I agree, that doesn't seem right. That should be taken down.
@workathomefan (8957)
• Prairieville, Louisiana
15 Apr 17
I see a little Go fund me on Facebook but not a lot.
1 person likes this
@AbbyGreenhill (45496)
• United States
15 Apr 17
I am down to only seeing one, but it's month after month.
