Give a day will COST US MONEY!!!!

[SandrA9810]

If you've already received your email from HandsOnNetwork, thank you for signing up, then you'll still receive your free ticket. Even if your volunteer day is well after the program ended.

This happened with me. I was scheduled like a week after the program ended, but I already had my thank you email. And I have printed out my tickets.

 

[mamalle]

that is too bad they didnt state this in the beginning and be forthright.. sounds like they are covering their materials by making you pay upfront.. we go tomorrow for our volunteering.. we are picking vegatables and almost didnt get to go due to the poor season/weather down here in fla.. my kids are excited to go.

 

[DeirdreTours]

This "build a bear for charity" strikes me as being much more a money making opportunity for the bear building store than a legitimate gift to needy children. $12.99 is about 10 times the "supply" cost of one of these little bears and about 3 times what similar sized stuffed animals bought in bulk would cost. Like the OP, I would be appalled to find I was being charged for the "opportunity" to "give" a bear to a needy child.

My family volunteered picking up trash for 4 hours to earn our tickets, but haven't yet received the tickets. Our coordinator said it may take a couple of weeks to get an email with the voucher information.

 

[A Mickeyfan]

Wow, that's just wrong.. If you do end up doing it, maybe you can write off the expense on your taxes? I wouldn't do it. It's not volunteering.

yes that is volunteering. However, true volunteering is giving something up from you and getting nothing in return. If you really want to be specific, getting the Disney pass makes it more like a barter system. I do for you, you do for me & that is not true volunteering


actual definition of volunteering: Volunteering is the practice of people working on behalf of others or a particular cause without payment for their time and services. Volunteering is generally considered an altruistic activity, intended to promote good or improve human quality of life, but people also volunteer for their own skill development, to meet others, to make contacts for possible employment, to have fun, and a variety of other reasons that could be considered self-serving.

 

[mom2val]

Please no flames... wish it had only cost me $12.99 per person to volunteer. We had to make 6 blankets for project Linus. The first 2 - I paid full price for kits spent over $40. The remaining 4 - I got the kits on sale for $10 each. I spent close to 2 hours making each blanket. DD helped a little and dh helped by cooking dinner a few nights.

 

[snowgooseltd]

I think that the Disney program/offer was a way to involve more people in the volunteering process to help our country and it's people because things are rough right now. Sure, the ticket is a great incentive and Disney will get the price of the ticket back many times over because, as stated earlier, no one goes alone so money that wasn't set to be spent at Disney will be spent there. But think of all the people that will be/were helped because of the program. And think of those of us who volunteered more than once and have continued to do so. It got people involved who might not have done so otherwise and maybe they found, like my husband and me, it's easy to do and you feel great after you done something for someone else. Our lives are so busy that we think there's not enough time for another project. Now we know that there's always extra time and we've pledged to use it productively. It just took a little incentive, by Disney, to get us moving. Thanks, again, Walt......

 

[DeirdreTours]

After seeing it refrenced so many times in this thread, I googled "project Linus".....Frankly, it strikes me as a pretty silly "charity" as well. Children could care less whether their "blankie" is handmade or not.... When I think of the cost put into these blankets (on this thread people are quoting $40-$60 just for supplies, then shipping, delivery, etc) I am just baffled that so many people would consider this a reasonable "charitable" cause. Don't you think that the overwhelming majority of children already have a security object? Does anyone really think that a traumatized or ill child is going to trade their security object for a blanket because it is handmade by someone they have never even met? The money, time and effort that are going into making and delivering 3 million of these blankets could actually provide health care or other needed services for these children......

 

[mickeymaker2003]

After seeing it refrenced so many times in this thread, I googled "project Linus".....Frankly, it strikes me as a pretty silly "charity" as well. Children could care less whether their "blankie" is handmade or not.... When I think of the cost put into these blankets (on this thread people are quoting $40-$60 just for supplies, then shipping, delivery, etc) I am just baffled that so many people would consider this a reasonable "charitable" cause. Don't you think that the overwhelming majority of children already have a security object? Does anyone really think that a traumatized or ill child is going to trade their security object for a blanket because it is handmade by someone they have never even met? The money, time and effort that are going into making and delivering 3 million of these blankets could actually provide health care or other needed services for these children......

Personally, I made blankets for babies in the NICU for Project Linus. In order to be in the NICU, a baby can not have ever gone home (no matter how old they are when they are re-admitted to the hospital). Those babies have nothing. The blankets I donated were required to be made a very specific way to be up to the standards of the hospital and I needed a specialized sewing machine to make them (they aren't allowed to have just any blanket). Sadly, some of those babies will never get to go home and their Project Linus blanket may be the only thing the parents get to keep that was actually owned and used by their baby. I'm quite happy to have spent my money on this and I think it will make a difference to the families that receive them. It makes me smile to think that a dozen little boys first blanket is soft, fuzzy, and Lightning McQueen

 

[iheartdisney]

I think that the Disney program/offer was a way to involve more people in the volunteering process to help our country and it's people because things are rough right now. Sure, the ticket is a great incentive and Disney will get the price of the ticket back many times over because, as stated earlier, no one goes alone so money that wasn't set to be spent at Disney will be spent there. But think of all the people that will be/were helped because of the program. And think of those of us who volunteered more than once and have continued to do so. It got people involved who might not have done so otherwise and maybe they found, like my husband and me, it's easy to do and you feel great after you done something for someone else. Our lives are so busy that we think there's not enough time for another project. Now we know that there's always extra time and we've pledged to use it productively. It just took a little incentive, by Disney, to get us moving. Thanks, again, Walt......

I think you mean Thank you, Bob!

 

[iheartdisney]

After seeing it refrenced so many times in this thread, I googled "project Linus".....Frankly, it strikes me as a pretty silly "charity" as well. Children could care less whether their "blankie" is handmade or not.... When I think of the cost put into these blankets (on this thread people are quoting $40-$60 just for supplies, then shipping, delivery, etc) I am just baffled that so many people would consider this a reasonable "charitable" cause. Don't you think that the overwhelming majority of children already have a security object? Does anyone really think that a traumatized or ill child is going to trade their security object for a blanket because it is handmade by someone they have never even met? The money, time and effort that are going into making and delivering 3 million of these blankets could actually provide health care or other needed services for these children......

Really?
No, I don't think a child maters if something is handmade.
Why stop there. Do you think that the millions of people who are served in soup kitchens across America every day care if their food is homemade?
Do you think that the dogs and cats who have been abused or abandoned by their families care that their beds are handmade?
Or MAYBE they just care that a need was met?

I have done quilts for Project Linus for the last 5 years. For GAD, I did a different charity similar, but local so it worked better for me.
When a child is taken into Foster Care, no, they don't always get to take any security objects with them. When a child is in a car accident, they don't always get to take a security object to the hospital with them.
I'm not saddened by the "waste" as you see it, of resources going to make quilts for children. I am saddened when I think that the 7,000 blankets brought in to the charity by Disney's promotion. I am saddened because I was told that those 7,000 would most likely be gone by September. I am saddened by the fact that the day I turned my blankets in, she had sent almost 200 quilts to a local Foster Care agency...this day, there were almost 200 children who were without their family. And I am happy that I helped to fill a need. And I am happy as my sewing room is stocked, and I've already begun cutting my next project!

 

[DeirdreTours]

I think your analogy to a soup kitchen is a false one. The difference between sodium and chemical packed canned soup and a homemade soup of fresh ingredients is demonstrable and real. The baby in NICU could absolutely care less is the blankie around them is the standard hospital issue or the handmade cartoon character one. Nor does the handmade blanket in any way improve the baby's health or prospects.

My own son was in the hospital for a week as a newborn and I could have cared less what the blankets looked like. IF the worst had happenned, I can't imagine that a blanket made by a stranger would have been anymore comfort as a keepsake than the little knit cap that the hospital provides.
As to foster children, I have worked with a number of them-- those that were young enough to need security objects did seem to bring those with them everywhere. If you asked them if they would like a small quilted blankie made by a stranger vs. new shoes or a hand held electronic game-- I think they would ALL choose the latter.

So, really-- I think the Project Linus is mostly for the benefit of the blanket makers. It certainly does no harm and if you enjoy doing it, great. I just don't think it provides any geniune service to those in need. And, when I look at the resources it seems to sucking up, I can imagine them deployed in ways that would give those children real benefit.

EDITED TO ADD: This is a little off topic, but something I have noticed when working with foster kids coordinating Christmas gift drives is that many people don't seem to understand what is really desired by these kids. In my experience the number one desired object is a Gameboy (or other trendy hand held electronic device). Next are FASHIONABLE pieces of clothing (that is, fashionable in their circle), like pricey shoes, jeans, etc. If you find yourself shopping for a foster child, ask for guidance from the child himself if possible. If that isn't possible, find a close proxy in age and economic status to ask.

 

[Ericandjenng]

After seeing it refrenced so many times in this thread, I googled "project Linus".....Frankly, it strikes me as a pretty silly "charity" as well. Children could care less whether their "blankie" is handmade or not.... When I think of the cost put into these blankets (on this thread people are quoting $40-$60 just for supplies, then shipping, delivery, etc) I am just baffled that so many people would consider this a reasonable "charitable" cause. Don't you think that the overwhelming majority of children already have a security object? Does anyone really think that a traumatized or ill child is going to trade their security object for a blanket because it is handmade by someone they have never even met? The money, time and effort that are going into making and delivering 3 million of these blankets could actually provide health care or other needed services for these children......

While in theory this sounds great, BUT anytime there is this much money in a given place for anything including a charity, it comes at a price! Someone has to administer it and most will NOT do it for free.

I am a federal employee and every fall, we have the chance to participate in the Combined Federal Campaign--it's how we can give to charity through our paycheck each week or with a one-time donation. We are given a booklet that lists charities and some basic facts about each including what % of their money goes to administrative costs. I don't remember any off the top of my head but it is amazing how much some of them use for the "administrative costs" and how little actually goes to the recipients. This is not true for all but I have seen costs from the low single digits to above 50%!

I just wish Disney would have extended the program since they hit the million mark so quickly. We didn't sign up because we hadn't planned on going to Disney this year--yeah, we couldn't wait after all--but that's not why..we already volunteer on a regular basis with things in our community..it got so MANY others involved that otherwise just kept putting it off.

And to the OP, I know others have said it, BUT there is no such thing as a "Free Lunch"! I have volunteered off and on since I was in 3rd grade--I am almost 40 now, and it has never cost absolutely nothing. It at least costs the gas to get there and the actual time it takes to help has a value also. The costs have gone up depending on how involved you get but it also is one of the most rewarding things you can teach your kids.

 

[A Mickeyfan]

Personally, I made blankets for babies in the NICU for Project Linus. In order to be in the NICU, a baby can not have ever gone home (no matter how old they are when they are re-admitted to the hospital). Those babies have nothing. The blankets I donated were required to be made a very specific way to be up to the standards of the hospital and I needed a specialized sewing machine to make them (they aren't allowed to have just any blanket). Sadly, some of those babies will never get to go home and their Project Linus blanket may be the only thing the parents get to keep that was actually owned and used by their baby. I'm quite happy to have spent my money on this and I think it will make a difference to the families that receive them. It makes me smile to think that a dozen little boys first blanket is soft, fuzzy, and Lightning McQueen

that is very true what you are saying.. some of these blankets will be the only thing these parents have from their child. It is great that you have done this and didn't expect the world in return That is true volunteering, it is doing it for the cause.

 

[sumertime]

I had to help a child go into foster care for the night and she had NOTHING with her but the clothes on her back. Because it was late in the evening, they could not contact anyone to get her even the basics. In a situation where a child is taken from her mother and left with nothing, a blanket is not a fix by any means. But it has to lessen the blow just a tiny bit. And for that it is worth its weight in gold.

 

[snowgooseltd]

I think you mean Thank you, Bob!

No...I meant Walt. Walt Disney and his visions are the basis for the dream that we know as "Disney". Those that followed him have kept his dreams and visions alive.

 

[DeirdreTours]

I had to help a child go into foster care for the night and she had NOTHING with her but the clothes on her back. Because it was late in the evening, they could not contact anyone to get her even the basics. In a situation where a child is taken from her mother and left with nothing, a blanket is not a fix by any means. But it has to lessen the blow just a tiny bit. And for that it is worth its weight in gold.

I agree that in the situation you describe, the blanket has value. BUT, I believe that for the equivelent cost (with admin cost in, it looks like these blankets run $80-$100 apiece), the girl you describe could have had a new change of clothes to wake up to and a toy she would actually enjoy playing with.

Agian, the blankets are fine and do no harm. But that money and time could provide so much more that is of real value to the children.

In closing, I don't mean to pick on the Linus Project, I know that there are many of these kinds of questionable value charities out there.

 

[DaniB]

I had to help a child go into foster care for the night and she had NOTHING with her but the clothes on her back. Because it was late in the evening, they could not contact anyone to get her even the basics. In a situation where a child is taken from her mother and left with nothing, a blanket is not a fix by any means. But it has to lessen the blow just a tiny bit. And for that it is worth its weight in gold.

Out of curiosity... why? If the child was being taken from her home, why could not a least of change of clothing and a precious toy or stuffed animal have gone with her?

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

I think your analogy to a soup kitchen is a false one. The difference between sodium and chemical packed canned soup and a homemade soup of fresh ingredients is demonstrable and real. The baby in NICU could absolutely care less is the blankie around them is the standard hospital issue or the handmade cartoon character one. Nor does the handmade blanket in any way improve the baby's health or prospects.

My own son was in the hospital for a week as a newborn and I could have cared less what the blankets looked like. IF the worst had happenned, I can't imagine that a blanket made by a stranger would have been anymore comfort as a keepsake than the little knit cap that the hospital provides.
As to foster children, I have worked with a number of them-- those that were young enough to need security objects did seem to bring those with them everywhere. If you asked them if they would like a small quilted blankie made by a stranger vs. new shoes or a hand held electronic game-- I think they would ALL choose the latter.

So, really-- I think the Project Linus is mostly for the benefit of the blanket makers. It certainly does no harm and if you enjoy doing it, great. I just don't think it provides any geniune service to those in need. And, when I look at the resources it seems to sucking up, I can imagine them deployed in ways that would give those children real benefit.

EDITED TO ADD: This is a little off topic, but something I have noticed when working with foster kids coordinating Christmas gift drives is that many people don't seem to understand what is really desired by these kids. In my experience the number one desired object is a Gameboy (or other trendy hand held electronic device). Next are FASHIONABLE pieces of clothing (that is, fashionable in their circle), like pricey shoes, jeans, etc. If you find yourself shopping for a foster child, ask for guidance from the child himself if possible. If that isn't possible, find a close proxy in age and economic status to ask.

Way to bash a charitable project.

You are free to donate your funds as you wish, but don't pretend with your commentary that you aren't bashing the good deeds of others. It's just camaflouge to your true thoughts.

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

Out of curiosity... why? If the child was being taken from her home, why could not a least of change of clothing and a precious toy or stuffed animal have gone with her?

In some cases--there is no precious toy or stuffed animal that he/she owns.

I once delivered a huge oversized (3 feet tall) bear to a hurricane shelter. There was a little girl in it. The bear was my mom's and they had heard about this shelter on base and this family was one of the last ones in it b/c their home was lost. This item wasn't new and it was a bit worn. But it was loved and appreciated. I'm sure a homemade blanket would have been love and appreciated as well.

But it is naive to believe that there aren't children out there who truly have nothing. And there are some kids--who could care less about the electronics that another poster claims that they would prefer. Kids stricken in hardship could care less about something of more materialistic/monetary value.

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

I had to help a child go into foster care for the night and she had NOTHING with her but the clothes on her back. Because it was late in the evening, they could not contact anyone to get her even the basics. In a situation where a child is taken from her mother and left with nothing, a blanket is not a fix by any means. But it has to lessen the blow just a tiny bit. And for that it is worth its weight in gold.

My son is 3 and we bought him a blanket at WDW on one day when I failed to check the weather report and it was....more frigid than anticipated.

He loves that blanket.

Funny how kids allegedly prefer something of more value and the first thing he asks for on his trips is for that blanket..and not his leapster.

So much for the electronics theory, eh?