Kids in front of Wal-mart asking for donations for their sports teams?

[damo]

I usually give something. I know that many kids on the teams my son played with had a very hard time scraping together the funds. If I can help any of them out, I will.

 

[lucyanna girl]

I agree that asking for donations SHOULD not be allowed.

However, (you knew there was one coming, didn't you?) My DD plays high school softball. Any of you who have had any involvement know how hard they work to make the team and then how much practice is involved.

Last year (her freshman year), the team was to have a windshield-wash at a local convenience store. We live in a very small community and the girls raise money for everything - uniforms, equipment, money to pay the umpires, even security for the games is their responsibility. DH and I had already purchased one hundred dollars worth of popcorn, two hundred dollars worth of ads in the softball program, donated five new items for an action - where we also purchased a couple of hundred dollars worth of other peoples donations, and I can't even remember what all else now to support the team.

DD had also been at practice every single day for two months. Freshman are responsible for getting out the equipment, setting it up, picking up the equipment, and field maintenance after practice as well as actually practicing for around three hours daily. She did not have her drivers license yet so I picked her up from school everyday, drove her to practice, (the field is not located at her school) and waited there until after practice to come home.

So, by the day of the windshield wash, we had quite an investment in both time and money in softball.

We reported for her shift at the windshield wash. A light drizzle was falling and it was cold. When we arrived we found that the coach had turned the windshield wash into a "just ask them for donations because it is raining and cold and no one will want their windshield washed anyway".

If a girl did not participate she was off the team.

I was appalled. I was embarrassed. DD did NOT want to ask people for money. I asked the coach if I could donate money myself instead of DD asking for money. The coach was willing to take my money but DD would still have to participate or she was out.

DD spent two hours begging for money like all the others girls.

So, flame away. We are guilty. Remember when you see children doing this they might not have had a choice. Yes, I realise DD had a choice, but would you really expect her to quit over this after all the hard work she had put into softball?

Penny

 

[mjkacmom]

I'm in the minority, but I'd MUCH rather toss some loose change in a can than buy some overpriced candy bar, with most of the profit going to a private company. After spending about $50 on girlscout candy (I refuse to inflict the candy on others, so I buy enough for the badge myself - no one really wants this candy), and about $25 on boyscout microwave popcorn, give me a can to toss my change into instead!

 

[Kathi OD]

I usually contribute to any kid who is "begging" outside any store for their sports teams. Most of them have parents who have paid a fee for them to play and they are raising additional funds to go to tournaments. Depending on the age, level, and location, those can get pretty expensive. I don't have a problem helping out kids with a few dollars. I'm more than willing to help pay to give kids something constructive to do with their free time rather than out running around the town wreaking havoc!

 

[stevenpensacola]

We used to have ball teams at intersections, with buckets, come up to your car windows when stopped at red lights. You'd have young kids running around in traffic. Finally, an ordinance was passed to to prevent this type of "fundraising".

Playing organized sports is purely an option...if you can't afford it, don't do it.

Sure, it's fun....but so is going to WDW....I can't afford to take my family there this Christmas....so does that give me the right to go ask strangers to pay for my trip....think of the memories my kids are missing out on....

 

[Laugh O. Grams]

I think kids asking for help playing sports that parents need to fornt some money to get them into a firefighters asking for donations are nowhere near the same thing. I am more than happy to give to firefighters who are out in the streets asking for donations, but I don't give to kids who are not selling. Makes more sense to me to help my local firefighter afford something he'll need while saving my house and cats from a fire...I can't see needing any help with a soccer emergency.(I know thats selfish but I need to save up my money for when I have kids that want to play expensive sports) When I played sports we were never allowed to do shake-a-cans outside of stores. I would have been mortified asking for something for nothing. It is not the responsibility of my town to pay for me to play a sport.

Now its a totally different situation where my sister lives where no child has to pay to play, they live off donations alone. In cases like that I would be more than happy to give.

-Lauren

That's cool. It's a donation request, not a mandatory payment. I look at it as giving to the community, whether it be donating to help the family of a fallen police officer or helping the local kids Pop Warner Championship football team make it to Disney World. I'm not saying that my way is the end all, be all. It's simply the way that works for me.

 

[spima3]

Pretty much any sports activity in this area is a pay as you play type of thing. I often see kids, with the cans, or selling something for a sports team they're on and will never give to it. I pay for my own kids to play and don't feel the need to do so for the others.

What I am totally bothered about is the lack of financial disclosure in these activites. I just payed $60 for my DD12 to play in a b-ball league. There are a lot of kids in this league, the parents coach, the court is in a church gym, they get a cheapo t-shirt to play in, and yet they still wanted us to "sell" cookie dough for $15 a pop! That went right in the garbage. IF they persue it with me, I will ask to see their financials.

I know one league here, the guy running it was stealing all the funds. It was kept hushed up, but I often wonder just how often this stuff goes on.

lori

 

[Mommy2cody]

Last year was the first year my son was old enough to play little league. They really don't give you a choice on the fundraising. It is in the contract we signed for him to paly. So we payed the money to sign him up then once on a team, the team mom came up with the fundraiser. (We got lucky and sold coupons to Carls Jr's. So those we were able to just sell to family) Then all the fundraiser money gets turned in HALF went to the little league district we are in and the other half went to the team and the kids all get jackets!! This year when we signed up, they offered a $30 funderaiser buy-out (just pay an extra $30 and we don't have to participate in the fundraiser! We did it, because you never know what kind of things they will make you sell)

 

[handicap18]

This has been going on for Decades. When I was in little league back in the 1970's and early 80's we would stand outside various stores around town with buckets for donations.

Sure every player has to pay to sign up to play in the respective league, but that money doesn't go very far. Not only are there uniforms and hats and that type of thing, but there are field costs, maintenance, some times travel expense. If you play ice hockey someone has to pay for the practice time and the playing time and its not cheep to run an ice areana. Who pays for the lights to be turned on for indoor basketball games or cheering competitions? What about night baseball games? Who is going to cut the grass in the baseball, soccer and football fields? Who is going to pay the person to cut that grass, who is going to pay to water that grass? who is going to pay for the water to water the grass? Gas for the mowers that cut it? Gas for the zamboni that cleans the ice for ice hockey? Football helmets and pads can get used from year to year, but they don't last 20 years.

There was a football team in the Greater Boston area a few years back that qualified to go to Disney World for the Pop Warner Super Bowl. This team is from a poorer section of the city, but the kids were able to be part of something for a small fee and not get into trouble on the streets and be involved in city gangs. We'll they barely had enough money to send the kids there and when there they didn't have enough money to get the package that gave the kids park tickets, so they were stuck in their rooms. The coach for team does a tremendous job with this program, but relies on donations from the public and private sector to run it. Its either that or the kids end up on the street selling drugs.

Now not every city or town in this country is like that, but the way things are going these days many school systems are charging students to play school sports because the costs are becoming so high. Even with all the volunteers equipment and venues still cost a lot of money.

A local town charges each student in the town that wants to play high school football $500+ each year. They've cut other sports because of costs.

Giving a donation or buying these things the kids are selling is, IMO, contributing to your community. If you don't want to contribute to your community that is fine, its your perogitive as a citizen of this country.

I don't think its right for those kids to be out of control while asking for donations. They should be supervised and expected to act in a professional manner as representitives of their community. If they can't respect that some people don't want to contribue then that is a problem. This also has to be a learning experience for them in raising money for a cause they believe in and are involved in.

I contribue any time I get a chance. If I have a few dollars on me I will give it to them. People did it for me when I was a kid 25-30 years ago and I hope that people will do it for my kids when it becomes their turn to raise money for their orginization.

It is harder today to give money. With many people paying with debit cards they don't carry as much cash. I do feel bad when I don't have anything to give. Its not easy to stand out there and ask for money.

 

[Camicar]

I simply would not be part of a program which required my child to beg. Period. I don’t care what the program is, there is no begging in my family. These are my family's values which are in fact more important to me than participation in a sport by choice.

And here’s one reason why – a few years ago I was on State Street in Madison, WI and a teenage girl approached me with her hand out. She was in a Hollister shirt and A&F jeans, so I point blank asked her WHY she was panhandling. Her answer: “Well, I was required to beg for my cheerleading program and we made tons of money. RIght now, I want an outfit at Bop and I don’t have any money for it and since it went so well when I begged for cheerleading, I thought I’d try begging for a pair of jeans. What’s the difference?”

So for me it’s a question of what kind of behavior we are modeling to our children, which is far more important than being on a softball team. (And let's face it, no kid's ability to make a living twenty years from now from being giving the opportunity to beg to be on a 3rd grade softball team unless you want to raise your kid to be a panhandler for al iving.)

 

[MushyMushy]

I would much rather hand one of those kids $1 than have a cashier hit me up for money for whatever charity they've embraced at the store. That's what drives me nuts because many times the cashier will follow up with, "You mean you don't want to help homeless chickens?" (or whatever they're supporting) I walk out feeling like a real scrooge when I typically give pretty generously.

 

[storzo]

I have no problem with the kids in front of the stores with their cans. It is much better than selling candy, wrapping paper, magazines and other assorted junk. And all the profits go to the league.

While the parents may or may not pay a fee to participate, there are many extras that many families cannot afford and that is when and where the fundraising (begging) becomes necessary.

Uniforms, equipment, insurance, transportation, field maintenance, tournaments, trophies, jackets, awards, dinners, water, etc. etc. All these things add so what do we do? - split the cost among all the kids? - that might end up being in the hundreds or thousands per child.

 

[Fitswimmer]

I'm happy to put a dollar in a coffee can to help a student whose family can't afford the costs of a sports program to participate. I'm happy to support any child's involvement in sports or other programs. Kids who are involved in sports, music and drama programs do better in school and are more likely to graduate and go on to college and/or successful careers. That's a win in my book.

 

[Crankyshank]

I don't have any problem buying from them if I can afford it, but I hate the donations and being made to feel like crud for not donating. That goes for the fraternal order of police, who call me at least a half dozen times a year.

What really irritates me are those who stand in the middle of a busy road to go up to people at traffic lights and beg. I will not give them money, no matter how deserving the organization. It's putting safety at risk - of the panhandler, and also the commuter.

 

[jrmasm]

Uniforms, equipment, insurance, transportation, field maintenance, tournaments, trophies, jackets, awards, dinners, water, etc. etc. All these things add so what do we do? - split the cost among all the kids? - that might end up being in the hundreds or thousands per child

Sure every player has to pay to sign up to play in the respective league, but that money doesn't go very far. Not only are there uniforms and hats and that type of thing, but there are field costs, maintenance, some times travel expense. If you play ice hockey someone has to pay for the practice time and the playing time and its not cheep to run an ice areana. Who pays for the lights to be turned on for indoor basketball games or cheering competitions? What about night baseball games? Who is going to cut the grass in the baseball, soccer and football fields? Who is going to pay the person to cut that grass, who is going to pay to water that grass? who is going to pay for the water to water the grass? Gas for the mowers that cut it? Gas for the zamboni that cleans the ice for ice hockey? Football helmets and pads can get used from year to year, but they don't last 20 years.

DD plays on several teams and travels extensively. I pay all her expenses and there are plenty of months that it hurts. We pay for everything from the coach's travel expenses to the gas that fills the generators for the lights.

I do however support fundraising that is done by the governing body or sport organization. Kids shouldn't have to sit out because they can't pay. I'd like to see more 'scholarships' for kids in need.

But individual teams? No thanks, unless you're selling something that I want, I have to pass because I'm too broke from paying my own kid's way.

 

[sue1013]

I always give to kids collecting outside of stores. I'll give them whatever singles or change I have on me. Much rather give them money than buy candy, cookie dough, etc. that they sell. When my kids were young they did it too for their various teams they were on I figure I'm paying back the support others showed to them.

 

[stevenpensacola]

Sure every player has to pay to sign up to play in the respective league, but that money doesn't go very far. Not only are there uniforms and hats and that type of thing, but there are field costs, maintenance, some times travel expense. If you play ice hockey someone has to pay for the practice time and the playing time and its not cheep to run an ice areana. Who pays for the lights to be turned on for indoor basketball games or cheering competitions? What about night baseball games? Who is going to cut the grass in the baseball, soccer and football fields? Who is going to pay the person to cut that grass, who is going to pay to water that grass? who is going to pay for the water to water the grass? Gas for the mowers that cut it? Gas for the zamboni that cleans the ice for ice hockey? Football helmets and pads can get used from year to year, but they don't last 20 years.
T

so DON'T play....it's a luxury, not a right to play sports.

There are lots of things I would like to do....if I could AFFORD it....I don't expect you to pay for what I can't afford.

 

[storzo]

so DON'T play....it's a luxury, not a right to play sports.

There are lots of things I would like to do....if I could AFFORD it....I don't expect you to pay for what I can't afford.

I guess we should just abolish all the leagues then and let the kids hang out in the street after school and on weekends. Would you then complain that they are standing around in front of the stores doing nothing?

I agree that is not a right to play a sport or participate in any other activity but kids need something to do to keep them off the streets, especially in urban areas, and if my $1.00 helps I give it gladly.

 

[stevenpensacola]

What did people do years ago, before everyone felt that it was a requirement that their kids played little league sports?

So what, your kid is good at kicking a soccer ball, woopee, that'll change the world.

 

[storzo]

Years ago, a lot of moms stayed at home.
Years ago, more families stayed together.
Years ago, kids were safer being left alone for hours in a park.

Playing a sport is not going to change the world (who said it would) and some of these kids aren't even good, but playing a sport will keep kids off the streets and away from gangs, drugs and some of the other ills of society today. Playing a sport will also keep kids physically fit, something that is a widespread problem these days.