What say you?

[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.