Charities.............

Bez · Post by **Bez** » Fri Nov 28, 2008 6:36 am

When I first joined FG I got into a bit of a 'spat' with someone who disagreed with 'Charity donations' and said that charity belongs at home.....it put me off getting into serious discussions, but today I'm feeling brave :wah: so thought I'd sound you folks out about your thoughts.

Earlier this morning on the radio there was a guy who had been injured in Iraq who was fund raising for Help for Heroes...... I went on line and donated as I personally thought this was a worthwhile cause.

Now I'm a pensioner and have NO spare money but I am happy to donate the price of a packet of cigs or a bottle of wine to good causes that I trust and believe in.......Poppy day....children in need.....lifeboats....cancer charities etc

I'd be interested in your thoughts folks.

www.philpacker.com (Help fpr Heroes)

chonsigirl · Post by **chonsigirl** » Fri Nov 28, 2008 8:30 am

I give to various charities, I always sponsor a child in another country who needs the basic necessities.

Helen · Post by **Helen** » Fri Nov 28, 2008 10:40 am

ive just been down sizing and have given the proceeds to the cancer research shop. i also support our lifeboats and the air ambulance, without which, in our neck of the woods we'd be in serious trouble, the air ambulance being funded entirely by public donations.

Odie · Post by **Odie** » Fri Nov 28, 2008 10:41 am

I also give to various charities, they need our help.

OpenMind · Post by **OpenMind** » Fri Nov 28, 2008 11:17 am

Between 1961 and 1966, my family lived in Hele, Torquay. While there, my Mum used to help a charity. I cannot remember which one it was unfortuantely but it doesn't matter. She left them because, as she told me, the helpers would sort through the clothing given to the charity and simply take the best items for themselves. Naturally, my Mum was disgusted.

While I lived in Bedford, I had a friend who went to work for the Salvation Army. He told me how the workers took what they wanted for themselves. So, it stills goes on today.

Myself, I am further saddened at how much of a charity's money goes on administrations costs, professional expenses, and the such like.

I give personally and discreetly whenever I am in town. Some I have a chat with too.

Where charities are concerned, I think it is well worth looking at their track record. Remember Bob Geldoff. He learnt a very important lesson after Band Aid.

It is good to give. I have read somewhere that beggars in India served the need for people to give.

But I like to give because I want to, not because of a guilty conscience. As I know you at least a little, Bez, I know you want to give from your heart.

I hope this helps.

abbey · Post by **abbey** » Fri Nov 28, 2008 1:25 pm

(((bez))) :-4

Post by **Bryn Mawr** » Fri Nov 28, 2008 1:34 pm

Bez;1070972 wrote: When I first joined FG I got into a bit of a 'spat' with someone who disagreed with 'Charity donations' and said that charity belongs at home.....it put me off getting into serious discussions, but today I'm feeling brave :wah: so thought I'd sound you folks out about your thoughts.

Earlier this morning on the radio there was a guy who had been injured in Iraq who was fund raising for Help for Heroes...... I went on line and donated as I personally thought this was a worthwhile cause.

Now I'm a pensioner and have NO spare money but I am happy to donate the price of a packet of cigs or a bottle of wine to good causes that I trust and believe in.......Poppy day....children in need.....lifeboats....cancer charities etc

I'd be interested in your thoughts folks.

www.philpacker.com (Help fpr Heroes)

I give to many charities where i feel it's a worthwhile cause.

I firmly believe that those who have been injured fighting for our country, and the families of those killend or injured, should be supported (even though, as you probably all know by now, I strongly disagree with the cause they are being asked to fight for at the moment).

I think, however, that Help for Heros should be provided by the Government that sent the troops into danger and not left to the vagaries of charity - it should be there, automatically, for every one of them.

Bez · Post by **Bez** » Sat Nov 29, 2008 3:20 am

Helen;1071071 wrote: ive just been down sizing and have given the proceeds to the cancer research shop. i also support our lifeboats and the air ambulance, without which, in our neck of the woods we'd be in serious trouble, the air ambulance being funded entirely by public donations.

Great charities Helen. I live by the coast ....2 mins walk to the sea....and it's amazing how people risk their lives (and others) when they over estimate their swimming abilities and the power of tides etc.

Bez · Post by **Bez** » Sat Nov 29, 2008 3:24 am

Barman;1071087 wrote: Good on you Bez, i give to charities sometimes. I quite often take boxes of stuff we no longer use to charity shops, good clothes, shoes, books, cd's etc.

I also drop coins in collection boxes on impulse when i see them in bars or shops.

Charity shops are great and a good way of re-cycling clothes, toys, books etc.

I had a 'pot' of pennies that had accumulated over the months and thanks to Children in need's 'Pennies for Pudsey' I was able to take them to Nat West Bank and put them to good use.

Bez · Post by **Bez** » Sat Nov 29, 2008 3:28 am

Bryn Mawr;1071177 wrote: I give to many charities where i feel it's a worthwhile cause.

I firmly believe that those who have been injured fighting for our country, and the families of those killend or injured, should be supported (even though, as you probably all know by now, I strongly disagree with the cause they are being asked to fight for at the moment).

I think, however, that Help for Heros should be provided by the Government that sent the troops into danger and not left to the vagaries of charity - it should be there, automatically, for every one of them.

I agree Bryn, and the same can be said for other 'social injustices' , however whilst there are still areas of need , help is needed.

Post by **Bryn Mawr** » Sat Nov 29, 2008 5:55 am

Bez;1071604 wrote: I agree Bryn, and the same can be said for other 'social injustices' , however whilst there are still areas of need , help is needed.

The more the public takes up the strain rather than protests the injustice the less the government will do.

wildhorses · Post by **wildhorses** » Sun Nov 30, 2008 12:34 am

I donate more directly. If I have coats or blankets that I no longer need or want....I wash them and fold them into a plastic bag and leave them outside. There are many places around the city where the homeless congregate. I leave items in those areas. I also sometimes leave non perishable food items there too. They get it directly.

wildhorses · Post by **wildhorses** » Sun Nov 30, 2008 12:35 am

Bryn Mawr;1071667 wrote: The more the public takes up the strain rather than protests the injustice the less the government will do.

You are absolutely right about that.

cars · Post by **cars** » Sun Nov 30, 2008 2:46 am

Yes Bez, you're not alone, I donate to our disabled vets as well, at least 3 times a year. And I also donate to the breast cancer awareness society, march of dimes, Heart foundation, Boys & Girls Town, St. Vincent Depaul, Red Cross. As well as donate several dozens of old clothing every year to the Good Will Society. It just feels right to share!

Bez · Post by **Bez** » Sun Nov 30, 2008 3:26 am

Bryn Mawr;1071667 wrote: The more the public takes up the strain rather than protests the injustice the less the government will do.

Quite agree....but time is not on the side of the needy and the wheels of bureaucracy turn very slowly .

Bez · Post by **Bez** » Sun Nov 30, 2008 3:27 am

cars;1072702 wrote: Yes Bez, you're not alone, I donate to our disabled vets as well, at least 3 times a year. And I also donate to the breast cancer awareness society, march of dimes, Heart foundation, Boys & Girls Town, St. Vincent Depaul, Red Cross. As well as donate several dozens of old clothing every year to the Good Will Society. It just feels right to share!

Hi cars...hope you're well and happy :-6

cars · Post by **cars** » Sun Nov 30, 2008 10:04 am

Bez;1072714 wrote: Hi cars...hope you're well and happy :-6
Hi Bez, yes I am, thanks for asking! :-4

Hope you are well & happy also! So how's retirement treating you, good I hope? It took me a little over a year to adjust to my early retirement! And now, I find it hard to concieve how I ever put up with working!!! Love it that every day is a holiday!!!

Bez · Post by **Bez** » Sun Nov 30, 2008 11:31 am

cars;1073072 wrote: Hi Bez, yes I am, thanks for asking! :-4

Hope you are well & happy also! So how's retirement treating you, good I hope? It took me a little over a year to adjust to my early retirement! And now, I find it hard to concieve how I ever put up with working!!! Love it that every day is a holiday!!!

Exactly the same for me cars ....every day a holiday :-6

Fyrenza · Post by **Fyrenza** » Sun Nov 30, 2008 11:59 am

To the poster that was upset that the workers got first choice on the items donated:

Please remember that many of the store's employees are participants in the 'help' that the charity provides.

i'm saying this 'cuz the Salvation Army is one of the best charities i've found ~ the CEO takes a salary of $13,000 ( $250/week!), while in other charities, the CEO's are the biggest 'winners.'

A respectable charity will open their books to you, so that you can see how much of your money is actually going to the needy, and how much is going to support the infrastructure of the business.

Oh! And, Yes ~ i give to charity.

OpenMind · Post by **OpenMind** » Sun Nov 30, 2008 12:20 pm

Fyrenza;1073294 wrote: To the poster that was upset that the workers got first choice on the items donated:

Please remember that many of the store's employees are participants in the 'help' that the charity provides.

i'm saying this 'cuz the Salvation Army is one of the best charities i've found ~ the CEO takes a salary of $13,000 ( $250/week!), while in other charities, the CEO's are the biggest 'winners.'

A respectable charity will open their books to you, so that you can see how much of your money is actually going to the needy, and how much is going to support the infrastructure of the business.

Oh! And, Yes ~ i give to charity.

Are you implying that the workers have a right to take these items? I don't see this being declared to the donors. In my opinion, it is theft.

Bez · Post by **Bez** » Sun Nov 30, 2008 12:26 pm

OpenMind;1073318 wrote: Are you implying that the workers have a right to take these items? I don't see this being declared to the donors. In my opinion, it is theft.

I'm guessing that the the volunteer workers have first pick but STILL pay for them OM.

OpenMind · Post by **OpenMind** » Sun Nov 30, 2008 12:38 pm

Bez;1073324 wrote: I'm guessing that the the volunteer workers have first pick but STILL pay for them OM.

That was the point I was making originally. My Mum, my grandparents adopted me, would not have left if this was the case. But they weren't and my friend who worked for SA told me the same. If it was just my friend who told me, I might have taken it with a pinch of salt. But my Mum is a different matter. She didn't lie and if she caught any of us lying, we were walloped for it.