What say you?

[Medusa]

Hmm, I am really surprised at this thread. But reading through the comments, I can understand, I guess.

We don't have solicitations around here. So every Labor Day weekend, it is traditional to see the firefighters out there to fill the boot for Muscular Dystrophy. Jerry Lewis hosts (used to host?) the weekend telethon. Which I grew up watching, either at home or away on camping trips -- where the whole campground tuned in.

And, whether home or camping, we all wait for that "big moment," when some of our local firefighters show up in the local station to turn in what they collected from our community. CHEERS, APPLAUSE and at the campground, we used to go really crazy as we knew the fellows at the small station which served the area.

All part of Labor Day weekend, like having a parade for July 4th. As I said, it is a tradition. So coming from this background, the whole thread surprises me.

I think if you did have solicitors where you are, Sandie, you'd have a better understanding of what we're talking about. I had to run out to the store about an hour ago just to buy a few things. In that short trip Pizza Hut had the girls screaming at cars as they drive by and that irritating man was in the grocery store again and he stopped people as they walked into the store. As I said, I donate often and in good amounts but I do so to my church, my favorite charities and to animal welfare causes.

[lizbud]

I don't like being hit up for money when I go out on errands or a
shopping trip, but it happens all the time. There are panhandlers at most
every shopping mall. Heck, they even stand on the side of streets and
highway intersections with signs begging for money.

[Asiel]

I have to agree with everyone here. This begging for money is getting totally out of hand. I guess it's not only in Canada, it's everywhere. And yes, we have those firefighter's and retirees asking for donations for just about anything they can come up with. I remember yrs ago when we felt great about donating to the few real causes that people politely asked for donations from us but this is just too much. Some people just can't afford to give and I've watched them feel embarassed because of the way they get stared at for trying to decline. It doesn't seem to matter where we go there's always someone with a hand out for donations. Even going to Kentucky's is getting annoying as the person taking your order will ask loud enough for the whole store to hear if we would like to give to some benefit or other, I've heard so many people say they won't go there anymore because of this. Last time we went I stared her right in the eye and said, no I didn't want to donate to anything, I was all donated out from my long day. You could have heard a pin drop but I got quite a few winks from the other customers who decided to follow suit.

[kitten645]

I HATE being hit up for money at every turn. Even co-workers show up for cookies or fund drives for schools. That puts me in a very awkward position. I just have to say that I'm not in a financial position to help. Period.
However, to play devils advocate....if that tactic didn't work, they wouldn't use it.
I personally am a sucker for the firemen with the boots but they never get in the way or obstruct me. As a matter of fact I've sometimes gone around the block to go back and give money. They are collecting for MS usually and I think it's heroic that men that put their lives on the line every day as their daily work would go out and try to help others. I have a soft spot for firemen being a NYer and after 9/11.
I guess at the end of the day we each have the right to say no. Sometimes it's not an easy thing to do.
Claudia

[wombat2u2004]

That doesn't happen here downunder. Usually any donations made to outfits like firefighters etc etc are given for something in exchange.
We have a huge hardware superstore here, that allows these people to have a sausage sizzle on weekends.....it's worked out on a roster of course, and Legacy (of which I volunteer my time to), has the sausage sizzle stall about once every 6 weeks on a Saturday. Sausage sandwich $2.50, coke $1.50, and thats all folks......we make about $800 for Legacy on that day. And then once each year we spend a day walking around to shops and business's selling Legacy badges....about 6 different kinds, worth $1 up to $25, most everyone buys them, because everyone loves to support Legacy.
As for people asking for donations at shopping centres and banks....it doesn't happen here. I'm not sure, it could be against the law.
My wife gives a lot of donations to the RSPCA shelter, and in return they give her a diary or a teatowel for the donation each time....I guess that's the way it is here.

[Marigold2]

I only give to animal charities because they cannot ask for themselves.
Those are my words and that is what I do.

[snakemama]

I'm very careful where I give. I accidentally donated to the Humane Society of the United States before I found out how evil they are, so I do my research now.

[krazyaboutkatz]

I don't like being hit up for money when I go out on errands or a
shopping trip, but it happens all the time. There are panhandlers at most
every shopping mall. Heck, they even stand on the side of streets and
highway intersections with signs begging for money.

This happens to me too and here also. For some reason they always seem to pick on me like they think I look rich or something which isn't the case. I've never given any money to panhandlers because I don't believe that they'd even use it for food. I just say that I can't spare any money today and leave it at that. They've even come up to my car window and knocked on it to beg for money.

I usually donate to some rescue groups, breast cancer walkathons, and some PT'ers if I can. I did recently donate a few dollars when Pet Food Express was accepting donations for our local Police Dept. and it went toward getting more bullet proof dog vests for their canine companions. I'll also sometimes buy girl scout cookies because I used to do this too.