March 27, 2007
Giving to Charity
Written by Margo Maguire in Jaunty PostMy husband and I support a couple of very good charities - actually three of them. When I pay the bills every month, I send a check to each of these charities, and I also participate in other fundraising events. These are for the local schools, or the 3-day walk for the cure, and other things that come up. But there’s one thing that really bugs me: People on the street expecting me to hand over my cash. It just seems … risky.
There was a guy near my post office the other day, holding out a can that had what looked like a home-made label on it. He greeted me and said he was collecting money for injured veterans. I nodded and went on into the post office, took care of business, then went back to my car. The guy was right in the same place, waiting for me and asking for money.
I said - politely - “Sorry, but I don’t hand out cash on the street.”
I don’t think he was too happy with me, but in general, that’s my policy. And I don’t feel the least bit guilty. Anybody can make an official-looking can to collect money in, and I refuse to be a sucker. Actually, the guy stood a better chance with me if he’d just held up a sign that said “I’m broke - help me out.” I’ve given cash to a lot of those types, in spite of my ‘no cash on the streets’ policy. It’s the ones who try to pull a fast one that really annoy me, although they’re probably just as needy.
I handed over a good bit of cash on the street right after 9/11. I think everybody did. Hey - when you saw a fireman handing out an empty boot, you put money into it, right? I don’t like to think this might be true, but I have a feeling there were creeps and scam-artists out and about even then.
What are your thoughts on giving out money? Do you have any set rules or criteria?
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Laura Says:
I’m more likely to offer to buy their lunch than hand over cash. If they turn down the offer, they weren’t really going to use the money for food anyway.
Clarisse Says:
I don’t hand over money in the street either, Margo. Nor will I donate to a charity over the phone. I ask them to send me a written solicitation. Fraud by mail has much more serious legal ramifications than fraud by phone and that tends to weed out some of the phony charities. Just because they say they are representing firemen or police or shoeless children in some distant land doesn’t mean they are. And even if some of the money goes to the charity, some solicitors take a huge percentage of the money for fundraising costs. It’s hard to do the homework necessary to know who you are really giving money to. Stick with the name charities you know - Red Cross, your local United Way, etc.
sarah kate Says:
I usually give to the Salvation Army at Christmas - cause I feel sorry for the bell ringers (even though I know they get paid now.)
And I’m a sucker for bake sales and other raise money for charity sales.
But otherwise make it a policy to not carry cash.
Shana Says:
I agree, Margo. My sister is a social worker, and she says if you really want to help homeless people, give to shelters and the assistance organizations. Too often people panhandling just use the money for things other than food.
Jenna Petersen Says:
Right after I sold my first book to Avon, the phone rang. It was a solicitor for some ‘charity’. Normally I’m with Clarisse and I don’t give money over the phone, but I was on a high. So I did. They called like ten times a month after that until we moved to Vonage and our phone number changed. ARG. And they’d say things like, “Don’t you care about the fallen police officers anymore?”
We also used to live in a really bad neighborhood in Seattle, so I have issues with panhandlers, as well.
But I will give to legitimate causes I believe in. And Sarah Kate, I never got paid as a bell ringer. I volunteered. Do they pay them? That’s terrible!!!!
Kathryn Says:
Handicapped or elderly panhandlers usually get something for me. Young, healthy panhandlers: not a chance (altho one guy made me chuckle because his sign said, “Let’s not kid ourselves, I am going to use some of the money for drugs”). I give to registered children’s charities and hospital foundations and Centraide (like a Canadian United Way).
Kristol Says:
I always give cash to the Salvation Army. I give my kids money for United Way and other charties their school is collecting. We have also donated on the phone for police Associations and they send use a bill in the mail. My sister is doing a March of dimes walk with her baby in May and I’ve donated for that.
Robyn DeHart Says:
I prefer to do official organization giving when it comes to charity money. I have a real heart for St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital. I’ve just never felt comfortable giving over the phone or in person.
Lois Says:
Same here, sticking with the official organizations. . . you just don’t know who is approaching you or calling you anymore.
Lois
Margo Maguire Says:
Those calls from Police organizations really bother me. They come on like they actually know you - like you’re old buddies! And they use a really hard sell when they ask you for money.
catslady Says:
My favorite charity is called Thon - sponsored by Penn State University and is the largest nonprofit charity in the world where all proceeds go to kids with cancer. My daughter went there and danced in the 48 danceathon and then she chaired it later. I’m quite proud of her for this
I also refuse to give over the phone and it’s amazing how many so called charities won’t send you anything in the mail.
catslady Says:
okay I should have said 48 hour danceathon - it’s quite a production.
Clarisse Says:
Catslady, that “send me your materials in the mail” trick is one way to sort of some of the cheats. Like I said, phone fraud is one level of crime, but mail fraud gets you time in the “big house.”
Shirley Karr Says:
The only phone soliciation that gets a positive response from me is when they say the VA or ARC truck will be in the neighborhood in a few days, and do we have any used goods to donate. Otherwise, I only donate through my church charities or drop change in the red kettles at Christmas.
Will never forget — the day we adopted our kitten last July 1, it was hot, and there was a guy on the street corner with a sign that read “Let’s be honest — I just want a cold beer.”