Charity solicitations at intersections

[stevenpensacola]

These are pretty much illegal here now....but my thinking has always been "why did you sign your kids up to play ball if you could not afford it?" "It's not MY job to pay for you and your kids trip to all-stars."

 

[Honu]

A couple months ago I was driving down the main drag in my city when I saw a fire engine stopped in the middle lane ahead of me. There are 3 lanes each way on the road, so people had to merge left or right to go around it and the back up this caused gave the firemen a captive audience. They were out with boots in hand weaving between cars. I was stunned, and mad. Why because they are city employees are they allowed to get away with this? I've always been a supporter of the FD, but this made me really mad.

 

[Mkrop]

These are pretty much illegal here now....but my thinking has always been "why did you sign your kids up to play ball if you could not afford it?" "It's not MY job to pay for you and your kids trip to all-stars."

I really dont get this, so some poor kid whose parents scrape enough together to play Little Leauge(or some give scholarships like our rec soccer) and say he is really good and is chosen for All Stars or the whole team get to go an advanced series somewhere or a tournament, then this poor kid should be out of luck bc parents cant afford it.

I think we as a community could help the team get to the championships etc, and it is better for the team to raise funds then it brought to the attention that only little Johhny cant afford to go.

If you dont want to help then dont give but dont begrudge what some teams need to do to play.

 

[bigolive9]

I hate when people do these solicitations. We have a couple intersections where there are always a group of people. They seem to always be in the road when the light changes. I always pretend to be on my phone. Around here, I think they are not actually legitimate charities- I have never heard of any of them. It is dangerous not only for them, but also for the drivers. It wouldn't take much for a carjacker to pretend to be a solicitor.

 

[MushyMushy]

I really dont get this, so some poor kid whose parents scrape enough together to play Little Leauge(or some give scholarships like our rec soccer) and say he is really good and is chosen for All Stars or the whole team get to go an advanced series somewhere or a tournament, then this poor kid should be out of luck bc parents cant afford it.

I think we as a community could help the team get to the championships etc, and it is better for the team to raise funds then it brought to the attention that only little Johhny cant afford to go.

If you dont want to help then dont give but dont begrudge what some teams need to do to play.

I totally agree. I don't get the whole elitist attitude going on here. Should kids who aren't well off just be expected to do nothing? We have dance studios here who give steep discounts to students who can't afford lessons, and there are many ways they can fund raise for their costumes and anything else that comes up. I love that.

I remember being in the high school band, and there was this one family who had several kids in the band, but they were extremely poor. The kids couldn't afford band camp or some of the competitions we had to attend, but a couple of them were so talented. One summer, I helped them out at a fundraiser -- we spent several days selling BBQ sandwiches and baked goods to raise money for them to go to band camp. My parents were ticked that we were working so hard for these kids, yet they had to pay out of their own pocket. I'm proud of myself for being better than that.

 

[Mkrop]

I totally agree. I don't get the whole elitist attitude going on here. Should kids who aren't well off just be expected to do nothing? We have dance studios here who give steep discounts to students who can't afford lessons, and there are many ways they can fund raise for their costumes and anything else that comes up. I love that.

I remember being in the high school band, and there was this one family who had several kids in the band, but they were extremely poor. The kids couldn't afford band camp or some of the competitions we had to attend, but a couple of them were so talented. One summer, I helped them out at a fundraiser -- we spent several days selling BBQ sandwiches and baked goods to raise money for them to go to band camp. My parents were ticked that we were working so hard for these kids, yet they had to pay out of their own pocket. I'm proud of myself for being better than that.

Well I know when my neighbors basketball team got chosen, like I said before most could pay their way, but there were some that couldnt and there was not a whole lot of time to organize a "proper" fundraiser. Plus it was hard enough getting permission to stand in front of the convience store let alone getting the other place to agree to let them do a car wash. Well they raised enough funds to get the couple of girls and one of their parents a flight and hotels accomdations and then the rest he used to pay for one team meal out together at the end of the tournament. Now many other families went straight to WDW after the tournament but these other girls just flew home, but at least he was able to keep the team together and give these girls a pretty cool experience.

Last year they got chosen to go to Hershey so at least no airfare involved and he worked out a deal with the Holiday Inn for breakfasts and such but he had ALL the girls out there raising funds for the whole team, never letting on that Susie and Janey could not afford it.

 

[LittleBlue22]

I would think that they would be dangerous as well. I donate if I'm stopped, but what drives me nuts is when the light is green and people stop to donate-you could get rear ended!!

There's one group that does it on a yearly basis here. They sport bright orange traffic jackets and have big white paint buckets in hand. Insane!

What they and related groups do cause traffic congestion and problems. I can't stand it.

Luckily for us we have winter weather, so, serveral months out of the year, we get a break. lol!

 

[JR6ooo4]

I HATE trying to go to the grocery store only to be hounded at the door to buy Girl Scout cookies, raffle tickets, etc. My son's football league makes the kids do it and I won't allow my son to stand outside a store begging for money from strangers. Not gonna happen. I pay the registration fee for him to play.

Exactly, if it is not acceptable for OUR DOGS... NO BEGGING! Begging/selling is not a family value.

If I were to do my work in a road, without proper lane closure signage and "men working" signs I would be fined about $5,000 for the first offense and about $30,000 for the second offense. Not to mention the safety training I would be required to provide to each person that will be in the roadway.
I do not know how these villages can give them permits blatently ignoring OSHA safety guidelines.

Mikeeee

 

[Darcy03231]

The ones with the cans outside the stores really get me too! I've bought more overpriced stuff, tickets to dinners/breakfasts I'll never go to and whatever else any kid is selling as a fundraiser than I can keep track of. I have no problem supporting the local groups that are either selling something or providing a service, such as a car wash. I feel its teaching the kids that they have to work to raise the money to play the sport, or participate in the activity. What are you teaching a child by giving him or her a can outside of a store and having them stand there asking for money from strangers with nothing in return? That its ok to beg? I never "donate". I've also been called some pretty nasty names by the parents who are there with their children for saying "No, thank you".

 

[KelNottAt]

Here's how it works in my town: The team is going to play in a tournament far away. Airfare, hotel, etc. Instead of raising money to help one or two low-income players afford the trip, the team raises money to lower the cost for everyone. So, what would have been $500 pp becomes $400 pp, for example. To me, that's not charity. That's helping a kid and his dad get a better deal. Sorry, but I have a better use for my money.

Then, those of us who decline to buy the raffle tix (as they block my entrance to Safeway) are criticized as unsupportive. That's what I resent. That's my issue.

Should kids who aren't well off just be expected to do nothing?

Well, if I can't afford to pay for what my kids want, I don't sign them up for it.

And, no, I don't think kids should "do nothing." I think they can play rec ball instead of travel. That's all.

We have dance studios here who give steep discounts to students who can't afford lessons, and there are many ways they can fund raise for their costumes and anything else that comes up. I love that.

Good for the dance studio. It's a probably a private business and it's in its own best interest to offer discounts. And as long as the dancers don't bad-mouth decliners or block the entrance to the store, I'm fine with that, too.

I remember being in the high school band, and there was this one family who had several kids in the band, but they were extremely poor. The kids couldn't afford band camp or some of the competitions we had to attend, but a couple of them were so talented. One summer, I helped them out at a fundraiser -- we spent several days selling BBQ sandwiches and baked goods to raise money for them to go to band camp. My parents were ticked that we were working so hard for these kids, yet they had to pay out of their own pocket. I'm proud of myself for being better than that.

That's a very heartwarming story and you should be proud of yourself. School-based activities are charitable and worthwhile. I would encourage my kids to do the same thing.

My issue is solely with teams that want to give their all players and parents a better price on the trip. They're not motivated by finding financial aid for one needy player. They just want a better deal for themselves.

 

[Mkrop]

but even rec ball can turn into tournaments and all stars and stuff, it is not just the travel teams that do this stuff, at least around here, I mean most is the travel teams but I know Little League leads into other stuff beyond the regular season. And I am not sure many of these teams get the time to make a proper fundraiser work.

 

[LisaNJ25]

The ones with the cans outside the stores really get me too! I've bought more overpriced stuff, tickets to dinners/breakfasts I'll never go to and whatever else any kid is selling as a fundraiser than I can keep track of. I have no problem supporting the local groups that are either selling something or providing a service, such as a car wash. I feel its teaching the kids that they have to work to raise the money to play the sport, or participate in the activity. What are you teaching a child by giving him or her a can outside of a store and having them stand there asking for money from strangers with nothing in return? That its ok to beg? I never "donate". I've also been called some pretty nasty names by the parents who are there with their children for saying "No, thank you".

Yikes... I couldn't imagine making a comment to a parent who did not want to donate or purchase an item. As a girl scout leader I teach my girls to say thank you to everyone they ask.. if they purchase or not.

 

[Mkrop]

Yikes... I couldn't imagine making a comment to a parent who did not want to donate or purchase an item. As a girl scout leader I teach my girls to say thank you to everyone they ask.. if they purchase or not.

Yea this is what I basically get, thanks whether I purchase or not and I have never had my way blocked into a store maybe that is why I dont get all the anger

 

[stevenpensacola]

Playing little league ball is not a necessity....I'd like to take a Disney 7 day Cruise once a month...but I can't afford it...so I don't do it. I don't expect you to pay for my cruise.

IMO....sports are a little overrated....so what, you can hit a ball...that's gonna change the world....I played sports growing up, as have my kids, and I can't say that it made us a "better people". Sports can reveal character, but I don't think it creates character.

I'm really a nice person.

 

[RitaZ.]

Most of the time (if it's a different group out there), I pull a Michael Bolton from Office Space and try to discreetly roll the window up and pretend I'm not there.

 

[yasmina]

I heard an interview a while ago with a law enforcement officer who said that these kinds of solicitations are illegal and dangerous (at least in PA).

I don't know, I heard this interview on KDKA radio within the past year. It was a state trooper who specifically said that it was illegal. Obviously, the law enforcement isn't doing anything about it.

IMO, it's incredibly dangerous, and I refuse to donate.

I wish I could remember the trooper's specific reason, so I could say it to the people who are soliciting.

I dont think these are illegal in PA. We get Penn State Kids for Cancer collecting money in buckets at intersections all the time

That's who we mostly get too, plus some people who collect for "group against abuse of the elderly" (or whatever the nomenclature is!).

 

[Mkrop]

Playing little league ball is not a necessity....I'd like to take a Disney 7 day Cruise once a month...but I can't afford it...so I don't do it. I don't expect you to pay for my cruise.

IMO....sports are a little overrated....so what, you can hit a ball...that's gonna change the world....I played sports growing up, as have my kids, and I can't say that it made us a "better people". Sports can reveal character, but I don't think it creates character.

I'm really a nice person.

I am speechless

 

[stevenpensacola]

I am speechless

How did we ever manage to survive as a species before little league sports...?

 

[stevenpensacola]

I am speechless

I'll send you my bank account number if you'd like to contribute to my Cruise of the Month club....I'm thinking about $8K a trip should cover it.

 

[Mkrop]

How did we ever manage to survive as a species before little league sports...?

It is not that it is the attiutude. I wasnt allowed to play sports as a child bc my dad told me girls didnt need to play, maybe we should continue with that attitude too. So no I didnt play sports as a child but I see the importance of sports, and other activities such as dance etc. It can teach a child so many things. I was also told we couldnt afford it, that was very painful when many other kids were particpating and I wasnt.

So I am glad that our rec leagues and places like the Y offer classes and team participation at reduced rates or scholarships instead of everyone having the attitude that poor kids can just sit home.