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dragonfly said:
I hear what you're saying, Georgie. That's why I like my village's Angel Tree. Probably half of the requests are for socks, underwear, etc. Rarely is there anything "over the top," like a game system. It's mostly reasonable requests, many of which are basic clothing needs.
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We grabbed 2 families (6) kids total from the Angel tree so far. We are buying for them tomorrow and then after church service we are gonna wrap and write cards as a group.

1 of the families has 2 yo, 5 yo, 12 yo... For the 5 yo and 12 yo they asked for sleeping bags. My heart sank... If it were just for the older boy I would think maybe for boy scouts or something...camping as a family... This made me think they way be homeless... My husband came to the same conclussion. I hope that is NOT the case. It breaks my heart!
 
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:lol:
 
I haven't registered kids at our grade school for 4 years. When I registered the new kids, there was a form included to fill out if you are homeless. If there's a form, it's obviously there for a reason. I *never* see homeless people here, but if they are out there, I hope they are taking advantage of all of the services that might be available to them. Homelessness is heartbreaking.
 
I used to give cash to salvation army and every organization that stands out in traffic selling stuff (peanuts, tootsie rolls) but now have no money to spare so I give either time to local food kitchen or have been giving away coupons.

Take lots of stuff to work and put a note "free" on it and it's always gone by the end of the day.

What really counts is that we give when and how we can...so many people are really struggling
 
dragonfly said:
I haven't registered kids at our grade school for 4 years. When I registered the new kids, there was a form included to fill out if you are homeless. If there's a form, it's obviously there for a reason. I *never* see homeless people here, but if they are out there, I hope they are taking advantage of all of the services that might be available to them. Homelessness is heartbreaking.
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Many families couch surf or are spilt at various homes each night, or simply know a nice place to sleep in the car and wash up in the morning and would never tell. The number of homeless kids is growing and growing and homelessness doesn't look like the guy standing outside with tattered clothes asking for change or sleeping outside anymore. To have no idea where you will sleep from one day to the next, week to the next causes so much stress on a young kid that they can't share because it is a family issue and the family knows they risk losing their kids to the state if it is ever found out.

ETA: wasn't trying to call you out or anything, just informing some. I know your heart and you would have every family in the world in your home if you could :)
 
georgie said:
I love giving actual gifts to actual families...

The problem comes in when you find out about families who actual milk the system... Oh, we have no money... We are a needy family... And then you see...

They get various assistance and in some cases...ALOT of assistance...

Then you see they have all the newest electronics and gadgets and expensive clothing/accessories.... And then they say they have no money to buy their kids a gift.

My house needs alot of work done on it, I don't have a home computer or home internet... I don't even have a sofa for petes sake... I'm so busy trying to be generous and giving and then find that the people who "are in need"... they are just leaches. Pisses me off!


In the end I figure that it is between them and God.

Point being... That even though you may give a toy to a kid... It doesn't mean they are needy. It may just be that their paretns are leaches.

Still I will giving jofully. I know there is NO WAY to know for sure that your kindness is really going for the less fortunate. In the end it is up to the big guy!
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I agree with this 100 percent BUT please keep in mind many shelters get great donations. My DS volunteers at local soup kitchen/clothes donation center. 1 pair of American Eagle jeans earlier this fall. I only buy kohl's jeans (sale, coupons, kohls cash)

Georgie, maybe a few packs of handwarmers to go with sleeping bags would be nice?
 
dragonfly said:
I hear what you're saying, Georgie. That's why I like my village's Angel Tree. Probably half of the requests are for socks, underwear, etc. Rarely is there anything "over the top," like a game system. It's mostly reasonable requests, many of which are basic clothing needs.
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I always pick the kids that request clothes.

I was just explaining to DS4 about giving and he was excited to pick out gifts for a kid in need. We also talked about donating some if his toys.

I should really donate more... I mostly donate to whoever shows up at my door or whatever cause a coworker/friend is pitching.
 
Not trying to start anything and I pray it wont turn into something too big, but does the salvation army ask for SPECIFIC brands for toys? I wanted to pick a name off the tree at the girls playgroup school, but I was looking around and they all said specific toys by brand and type and I didn't want to be stuck searching around the world for that specific toy, so I will just drop off some hat and glove sets to attach with the gifts. I did feel some kinda way about people asking for specific brands (like Lamaze for a newborn) or a specific Baby Einstein toy. I can almost get it for a teen because they ask for specific things and the parents know their taste, etc, but a newborn or toddler (at least mine) dont know anything about a brand, I can make it at home and they like it as much as the Baby Einstein brand.
 
mrs.melton08 said:
Not trying to start anything and I pray it wont turn into something too big, but does the salvation army ask for SPECIFIC brands for toys? I wanted to pick a name off the tree at the girls playgroup school, but I was looking around and they all said specific toys by brand and type and I didn't want to be stuck searching around the world for that specific toy, so I will just drop off some hat and glove sets to attach with the gifts. I did feel some kinda way about people asking for specific brands (like Lamaze for a newborn) or a specific Baby Einstein toy. I can almost get it for a teen because they ask for specific things and the parents know their taste, etc, but a newborn or toddler (at least mine) dont know anything about a brand, I can make it at home and they like it as much as the Baby Einstein brand.
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I have no idea... Perhaps they ask for a specific brand like Einstein for compatibility issues? :dunce: Just a thought. Maybe it is an electronics compatability thing? Just a thought... As far as clothing?... Maybe the kid has allergy issues and they have found a brand to be better? Again... IDK... Just a thought. I know my SIL could only put Luvs diapers on my nephew.... Everything else made him break out.

Just thoughts...no facts...


I do think :lol: how we have to put disclaimers on things.... "Not trying to start anything". :lol: I do it too! There are topics you would think should be harmless...and then.................................BOOM!
 
Lauri said:
I
Take lots of stuff to work and put a note "free" on it and it's always gone by the end of the day. My DD does that a lot :)

What really counts is that we give when and how we can...so many people are really struggling
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:shesaid:
 
mrs.melton08 said:
Not trying to start anything and I pray it wont turn into something too big, but does the salvation army ask for SPECIFIC brands for toys? I wanted to pick a name off the tree at the girls playgroup school, but I was looking around and they all said specific toys by brand and type and I didn't want to be stuck searching around the world for that specific toy, so I will just drop off some hat and glove sets to attach with the gifts. I did feel some kinda way about people asking for specific brands (like Lamaze for a newborn) or a specific Baby Einstein toy. I can almost get it for a teen because they ask for specific things and the parents know their taste, etc, but a newborn or toddler (at least mine) dont know anything about a brand, I can make it at home and they like it as much as the Baby Einstein brand.
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We have a tree at the mall by be and I was going to take a star a couple of years ago till I read that you have to pick on EXACT item on the star ... looked at the stars and all I kept on seeing were VERY expensive items, mostly games for different systems, that there was no way I could afford. Personally I think that is really ****ty.
 
My employer wants their employees to donate to a charity of their choice. We sign pledge sheets stating the charity for payroll deduction. It can be a set amount weekly or a one time deduction. They then pay the charity up front and they deduct the amount from our check. Nice for tax records too.
 
mickey134870 said:
My employer wants their employees to donate to a charity of their choice. We sign pledge sheets stating the charity for payroll deduction. It can be a set amount weekly or a one time deduction. They then pay the charity up front and they deduct the amount from our check. Nice for tax records too.
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A donation has been made in your name to the Human Fund. :lol:
 
hobgoblinyuck said:
We have a tree at the mall by be and I was going to take a star a couple of years ago till I read that you have to pick on EXACT item on the star ... looked at the stars and all I kept on seeing were VERY expensive items, mostly games for different systems, that there was no way I could afford. Personally I think that is really ****ty.[/QUOTE



That bugs me, too. I always try to find a tag off the giving tree and this year I had the hardest time finding someone who actually needed something. Lots of requests for Bears or Bulls gear. I finally found one who wanted pants. Pants are reasonable....that I can do. I send money throughout the year to a couple of animal rescue places and we have a sponsor child in Guatemala. Something I really want to start doing more of is helping adoptive families with their fundraisers. They sell soaps or jewelry and every little bit helps when you are trying to bring a child home.
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