For those of you who were down on the GAD promotion

[MomtoGKC]

I know there were some people who didn't like the GAD promotion because they only had to do one day of volunteering, we shouldn't get money in return for volunteering, etc. I thought I'd let you know how one afternoon of volunteering will be helping a whole bunch for Project Linus.

My family wanted to make blankets for Project Linus for GAD. I e-mailed our local chapter but they are not participating in the program. But, due to our correspondence, the chapter director is now coming to our Girl Scout troop meeting in two weeks and is going to teach all 20 of our girls about the charity. We're then going to make at least 10 blankets to donate.

So, even though this started as a one shot deal it is now much bigger. You never know, one of our families might really feel a connection to Project Linus and continue to make blankets throughout the year.

 

[swedie]

I believe this whole GAD is a worthwhile cause since it will open sooooo many peoples eyes to the volunteer spirit. It really does make you feel good. Some may say one day, big deal....For those that don't know the starfish story:
One day an old man was walking along the beach and he saw a young man/woman, whatever, throwing starfish that had been washed up on the shore back into the ocean. The old man said "What are you doing, what difference can it make? There's hundreds of them that wash ashore everyday"
The young man/woman, whatever said "It makes a difference to this one, as he/she threw one back into the ocean" So yes, one day can make a difference, then think of one million differences (to be multiplied by those that like the idea and can continue after the promotion is finished).

 

[Weezyreid]

You know when I thought of the Canadian Cancer Society and volunteering..I thought it meant going door to door...but we signed up and they were totally open to whatever we could come up with. So we went to a highschool basketball tournament that is held every year in honour of a highschool basketball player who died of brain cancer. We sold food and drinks and made a profit of close to 400 dollars for the Canadian Cancer society and over 3000 dollars for the Mike Fitz Scholarship....that is all from the GAD idea....we wouldn't have been organizing it without GAD program. Would we have gone to the game..yes...but would we have helped raise close to 4000 dollars...nope. So yes GAD is worth it and yes this will be a yearly event.
Louise

 

[Mom2PrincessK]

I can't understand the opposition to this. I know local charities here have been overwhelmed by the response - which is a good thing.

Whether you think you should get "paid" for volunteering or not....if the result of this promo is that worthy charities are getting responses they would not have, it is a great thing.

 

[keishashadow]

so true it's a blessing all the way around

will revitalize many who do sporadic volunteer work & open the eyes of those who don't as to the joy of helping others

 

[PIRATEGIRL007]

I had a similar experience, learned about Project Linus thru here, emailed our local chapter who never heard of GAD, but now I am interested in the organization and am going to make a blanket to donate even though I won't get 'GAD credit' for it. So Project Linus is going to benefit without Disney giving away tickets but thanks to many Disser's who opened my eyes to that opportunity right in my back yard.

 

[dd50]

I think that they did it because it really doesn't have to be for one day. Some people will continue doing it for whatever organization that they want. Disney is just trying to jump start it.

 

[sandyneck]

Funny how people have different interpretations of things! My husband is the Youth Pastor at our church, which does not have the finances right now to support a paid position, so it is all volunteer. He also works with teen boys in several different sporting activities. We are both basically in full time volunteer ministry along with running a business(or trying at least. When GAD came out, my first thought was, how wonderful, Disney is rewarding those of us who volunteer many hours and are showing their appreciation. I understand that it is also intended to get people to volunteer who usually don't, in the hopes that they will continue to do so, but that was not my initial thought. Whatever the reason, how can this be a bad thing???
We organized a event where we are going to fill Valentine Bags with some goodies to have Meals on Wheels distribute them with their meals to seniors during Valentine Week. Our youth group gets to help our community, along with others who have signed up, and we have now established a relationship with our local MOW organization and plan to put together bags for each holiday. That all came from the GAD program. Blessings to all who volunteer, either with their whole lives or just for a day!

 

[Princess Disney Mom]

I agree. We learned of an organization we didn't know existed just a few miles from our home. We helped last Sunday for the vouchers and have been back 2 times to help and donate.

 

[pixarmom]

I had a similar experience, learned about Project Linus thru here, emailed our local chapter who never heard of GAD, but now I am interested in the organization and am going to make a blanket to donate even though I won't get 'GAD credit' for it. So Project Linus is going to benefit without Disney giving away tickets but thanks to many Disser's who opened my eyes to that opportunity right in my back yard.

Same here! We loved Project Linus, and did all of our blanket supply shopping, research, learning, and blanket making over the course of a week. We ended the week by delivering our blankets to at the monthly meeting of the GAD Project Linus chapter two hours away from our home. We sent a narrative about how our family participated in the project, and photos to the Project Linus coordinator for the GAD project. We made an extra blanket to donate on behalf of our youngest, who is too young to participate in GAD. (We wanted to show some extra support for PL, and teach him that he should be involved, even though not eligible for the program.) And then, we contacted our local chapter (not participating in GAD) so that we can continue making blankets throughout the year. I really hope that families continue to support Project Linus.

I do know a few people who are administering GAD for charitable organizations, and it sounds like they are frustrated by the number of people who are looking for the quickest and easiest way to get a free ticket. I hope Project Linus feels this is worthwhile and that they receive good quality blankets, because I know it's a lot of work for the participating chapters to administer the program. It was really important to us to find a meaningful opportunity and an organization we could continue to support. We are so happy that we did, and I think that's the case for many others, too!