People collecting for causes outside of Walmart

[Ceila]

Reading this post makes me sick inside, how selfish and ridiculous people are now days. Let me tell you something when you donate money you do this out of the kindness of your heart even if their is a handful of people the abuse the system there are so many organizations and people that REALLY NEED the help and are ignored because people stereo type people asking for a helping hand as fakes and robbing people of their dollar which is WRONG. My father was diagnosed with stage IV terminal lung cancer and I contacted walmart and asked if I could set up a booth to fundraise the money for his medical and travel expenses and their are good hearted people out there that donated and he is getting the treatment so he can breathe and spend 6 more months with his family and then their are people like most of you on this thread that walk by and ignore our booths that are reaching out. When you give you recieve. Someday you will be in need, a loved one with cancer with little or no insurance and savings, loose your job or something horrific happens and you call these organizations to help you with your medical or pay your morgage so you dont loose your house. What do you do? You take but dont give that is what society is today but what comes around goes around and you will not get the help when you need it because you refused to help another pre judging them. I hope everyone thinks about this differntly and thinks about that time in your life when you needed help and every month donate to a organization of your choice or if you see someone sleeping on the street hungry, buy them a hambugar and give them a blanket dont think they are druggies and they deserve it. Our country needs our heart back!

Then perhaps you should be spending your time finding real solutions instead of wasting time trolling, digging up ancient threads on a Disney message board and ranting. And if you'd taken the time to actually READ the thread, you'd see that most people do donate to legitimate organizations.

 

[loveshak22]

Then perhaps you should be spending your time finding real solutions instead of wasting time trolling, digging up ancient threads on a Disney message board and ranting. And if you'd taken the time to actually READ the thread, you'd see that most people do donate to legitimate organizations.

In serious response to the post though, I agree with your comment. The thread is discussing how to tell when to give to legit groups versus non-legit groups. It doesn't mean people won't see someone in need and help and/or don't already give money to organizations. Nobody can afford to give money to everyone that asks so don't judge how people make their decisions on where to be generous. We all have our own basis for deciding how to help.

My DH gets mad at me because I used to always fall for "the oldest tricks in the book." The woman who is in town for their sick parent and don't have gas to get to the hospital, the guy in the parking lot randomly asking people for money for his kid with cancer, the woman who doesn't have money for baby formula...as I've gotten older and have now heard these stories in 3 different cities I've realized they are all scams from the same book!

Now as far as the poster who revived this thread and her dad being sick, I've had tons of friends raise money for families with a sick family member or surviving spouse and children. Typically if that's a known issue in the community I don't think people would mind you being outside Wal-mart, however most of my friends have done these type of fundraisers through networks of friends and through churches and local businesses. I've rarely see a family member in these situations outside with a table set-up but if it worked that's good that it worked in your situation.

 

[loveshak22]

Still, you were mean. I hazard to guess what you mean by 'wild' or 'strung out'.

I know this was originally posted years ago but since the thread is revived I have to say there is nothing that the poster did that was mean. Allowing teenage girls to disrespect an adult and ignore it as "teenage behavior" is O.K? I hope those teenage girls learned a lesson! If they have that much nerve to try to make fun of an adult imagine what behavior they exhibit to other teenage girls they don't like?

 

[Darcy03231]

I'm another person who hates the "collections" outside of stores. I won't "donate," but I'm polite about it. I usually just say "not today" or no thank you." I once had a mother standing there with her child call me a "**itch" for not "donating" to her son's football team.

I will, however, buy from children coming door to door selling stuff to fundraise. I've bought overpriced gift wrap, tickets to pancake breakfasts or spaghetti suppers, candy, raffle tickets, etc. If its truly something I'm not interested in I'll make a donation, but only because they've attempted to work to fundraise.

 

[Pigeon]

I don't donate to people who hastle me in front of stores. I don't contribute to fundraisers, period, not for my kids and not for other people's kids. That Walmart allows this is just one more reason not to shop at Walmart. Very few other stores here allow it, Target certainly does not.

I donate to plenty of charities in a planned way. I make substantive direct contributions to my kids' schools and to any other organizations they become involved with.

 

[giveaspitcancerrun]

I feel like I'm in the minority.
I myself am one of those people who you all dislike. I hold a club at my university and we do all sorts of volunteer events. One of them is seeking donations in front of Stop and Shop and they work really well. We do donate money to organizations. The reason why WE, as volunteers do this is because it feels good to do something good to the community with ACTION rather than money because honestly, if I had a million dollars, I would donate a large portion towards many organizations, but I don't have the money. Which is why I get people behind me and we all volunteer and put WORK into what we want to do. We raise money and we raise support!
If you don't trust the people at the table, that's your own problem. They might look sketchy, but you can't always judge.
And I seriously dislike the fact some people actually "hide" from us. If you are polite, you would at least say, no I'm sorry, but instead we get ignorance with people going in the other entrance. It's just as rude as us haggling you. (side note, it doesn't even have to be a dollar. Even a penny works, because we all PITCH IN)
My club doesn't crowd around and pressure shoppers into donating. It's their choice. We ADVOCATE the issue. We're just catalysts for our organization we are supporting. We are doing something good and we are trying to get the community to support it as well. But if no one supports the issue then what's the point anyway? I'm doing this for the good of the community, but I know I'm doing something good so at least I tried.

Next time, please don't rush by. If they ask you, just answer politely. My club is known to be polite to shoppers. We have a table, some signs, flyers, and occasional dish of cookies. We don't hold bake sales, we ask and fundraise professionally. "Hi, sir, would you like to support cancer patients in need? Your donation will benefit Relay for Life, of American Cancer Society!"
"No thank you." "Sure! Here's a single" "I'll donate on my way out" "Of course! Could you explain the organization's mission?" "I'm sorry guys, I can't today."

"Thank you so much! Here's a flyer and a cookie " "Alright, thank you anyways!"

Sorry for my rant. I am deeply involved with what I do. I love volunteering and helping people, and I just want to give you all a pov from the fundraiser's side because everyone here appears to be the annoyed shopper.
EDIT: I realized that I've missed half of the convo. But this rant is based on the first page of comments.

 

[bandksmom]

I went to Walmart yesterday when I was in a hurry because I had somewhere else to be later on. I approached the entrance and saw a small table set up there. There was a poster-board sign taped to the table that said "Say NO to child abuse!." There was a woman sitting at the table with a tub of money and a guy standing there trying to get people to donate. As I passed him on my way into the store, he said "young lady (ha!) I hope you'll donate to stop child abuse on your way back out of the store!" I didn't say anything, just kept walking.

As I was in the checkout lane, I decided to donate a dollar. I walked out the door and just held out the dollar. The guy came and took it and told me how "special" I am to have donated. I just said "no problem" and kept going.

Once I was in my car getting ready to drive away, I got to thinking - how do I know that this guy represented a legimate agency? I really don't at all. He could just be some Joe Blow from off the street that decided to set up a table outside Walmart and tell people he was collecting for a good cause. That made me wonder if there are any steps that people need to go through in order to be able to collect for a cause outside of Walmart. Do they have to fill out paperwork or get some sort of approval? Or next time I'm short on cash, maybe I could just set up a table and ask people to donate money??

I realize that it's only a dollar, and if I was really concerned about it I could have stopped to talk to the people and found out who they were and all that. I was in a hurry. I just wonder how many people, like me, are in a hurry and just toss money in the pot without even really knowing what they're donating for, just so that these people will not make them feel uncomfortable as they're walking in/out. I really dislike being put on the spot like that when I'm just trying to go about my business!

Your thoughts?

 

[bandksmom]

I don't donate to people who hastle me in front of stores. I don't contribute to fundraisers, period, not for my kids and not for other people's kids. That Walmart allows this is just one more reason not to shop at Walmart. Very few other stores here allow it, Target certainly does not.

I donate to plenty of charities in a planned way. I make substantive direct contributions to my kids' schools and to any other organizations they become involved with.

I went to Walmart yesterday when I was in a hurry because I had somewhere else to be later on. I approached the entrance and saw a small table set up there. There was a poster-board sign taped to the table that said "Say NO to child abuse!." There was a woman sitting at the table with a tub of money and a guy standing there trying to get people to donate. As I passed him on my way into the store, he said "young lady (ha!) I hope you'll donate to stop child abuse on your way back out of the store!" I didn't say anything, just kept walking.

As I was in the checkout lane, I decided to donate a dollar. I walked out the door and just held out the dollar. The guy came and took it and told me how "special" I am to have donated. I just said "no problem" and kept going.

Once I was in my car getting ready to drive away, I got to thinking - how do I know that this guy represented a legimate agency? I really don't at all. He could just be some Joe Blow from off the street that decided to set up a table outside Walmart and tell people he was collecting for a good cause. That made me wonder if there are any steps that people need to go through in order to be able to collect for a cause outside of Walmart. Do they have to fill out paperwork or get some sort of approval? Or next time I'm short on cash, maybe I could just set up a table and ask people to donate money??

I realize that it's only a dollar, and if I was really concerned about it I could have stopped to talk to the people and found out who they were and all that. I was in a hurry. I just wonder how many people, like me, are in a hurry and just toss money in the pot without even really knowing what they're donating for, just so that these people will not make them feel uncomfortable as they're walking in/out. I really dislike being put on the spot like that when I'm just trying to go about my business!

Your thoughts?

I have stood in between the entrances to wal mart to fund raise for a breast cancer walk I have done several times. We had to raise $2000 just to walk and this was one way that helped me to reach my goal. I had to apply in the wal mart store with a letter from the charity and contact information etc. and then they would let us know if we were approved and what date we are allowed to be there. I am not pushy I may or may not ask people if they want to donate and if you do great if not thank you anyways. no rudeness. Alot of people walk by and alot will say they only have a little bit and put it in the collection I will say thank you very much every penny helps. I also have items that me and my friends make for suggested donations available as well. I think the ones that are inside wal mart are legitimate charities or they would not let them stand there. I have seen people who are standing outside being asked to leave by the manager.

 

[bandksmom]

sorry I don't know why it quoted and i can't figure out how to get rid of the quotes yet.....

 

[MonkeyDishwasher]

Holy thread resurrection, Batman! The last post on this thread (before today) was January of 2013!

 

[disneychrista]

I don't donate to those who "ask" for it. And I don't buy when anything from kids who come to my door. And I don't answer when I know it is the LDS.

 

[NHdisneylover]

I feel like I'm in the minority.
I myself am one of those people who you all dislike. I hold a club at my university and we do all sorts of volunteer events. One of them is seeking donations in front of Stop and Shop and they work really well. We do donate money to organizations. The reason why WE, as volunteers do this is because it feels good to do something good to the community with ACTION rather than money because honestly, if I had a million dollars, I would donate a large portion towards many organizations, but I don't have the money. Which is why I get people behind me and we all volunteer and put WORK into what we want to do. We raise money and we raise support!
If you don't trust the people at the table, that's your own problem. They might look sketchy, but you can't always judge.
And I seriously dislike the fact some people actually "hide" from us. If you are polite, you would at least say, no I'm sorry, but instead we get ignorance with people going in the other entrance. It's just as rude as us haggling you. (side note, it doesn't even have to be a dollar. Even a penny works, because we all PITCH IN)
My club doesn't crowd around and pressure shoppers into donating. It's their choice. We ADVOCATE the issue. We're just catalysts for our organization we are supporting. We are doing something good and we are trying to get the community to support it as well. But if no one supports the issue then what's the point anyway? I'm doing this for the good of the community, but I know I'm doing something good so at least I tried.

Next time, please don't rush by. If they ask you, just answer politely. My club is known to be polite to shoppers. We have a table, some signs, flyers, and occasional dish of cookies. We don't hold bake sales, we ask and fundraise professionally. "Hi, sir, would you like to support cancer patients in need? Your donation will benefit Relay for Life, of American Cancer Society!"
"No thank you." "Sure! Here's a single" "I'll donate on my way out" "Of course! Could you explain the organization's mission?" "I'm sorry guys, I can't today."

"Thank you so much! Here's a flyer and a cookie " "Alright, thank you anyways!"

Sorry for my rant. I am deeply involved with what I do. I love volunteering and helping people, and I just want to give you all a pov from the fundraiser's side because everyone here appears to be the annoyed shopper.
EDIT: I realized that I've missed half of the convo. But this rant is based on the first page of comments.

So you joined the DIS yesterday just so you could post this on a thread that has been active in 2 years? Weird.

 

[MIGrandma]

our local WalMart has stopped all soliciting on the property because one organization was blocking the entrance and 'bothering' people. So they stopped it all- even Girl Scouts won't be allowed to sell cookies

I sure wish they would do that here. It seems like there is always someone by the doors wanting donations. I just don't make eye contact with them for the most part and just go about my business. It isn't so bad if they are just "there" but when they actively bother you and ask for a donation, that's crossing the line and I wish Wal-Mart would put a stop to it.

Now bake sales for schools, and Girl/Boy scouts I don't mind at all.

Edited to add: Oops! Didn't realize this was an old, old, old thread from 2009....that I'd already responded to!

 

[JanaDee]

I feel like I'm in the minority.
I myself am one of those people who you all dislike. I hold a club at my university and we do all sorts of volunteer events. One of them is seeking donations in front of Stop and Shop and they work really well. We do donate money to organizations. The reason why WE, as volunteers do this is because it feels good to do something good to the community with ACTION rather than money because honestly, if I had a million dollars, I would donate a large portion towards many organizations, but I don't have the money. Which is why I get people behind me and we all volunteer and put WORK into what we want to do. We raise money and we raise support!
If you don't trust the people at the table, that's your own problem. They might look sketchy, but you can't always judge.
And I seriously dislike the fact some people actually "hide" from us. If you are polite, you would at least say, no I'm sorry, but instead we get ignorance with people going in the other entrance. It's just as rude as us haggling you. (side note, it doesn't even have to be a dollar. Even a penny works, because we all PITCH IN)
My club doesn't crowd around and pressure shoppers into donating. It's their choice. We ADVOCATE the issue. We're just catalysts for our organization we are supporting. We are doing something good and we are trying to get the community to support it as well. But if no one supports the issue then what's the point anyway? I'm doing this for the good of the community, but I know I'm doing something good so at least I tried.

Next time, please don't rush by. If they ask you, just answer politely. My club is known to be polite to shoppers. We have a table, some signs, flyers, and occasional dish of cookies. We don't hold bake sales, we ask and fundraise professionally. "Hi, sir, would you like to support cancer patients in need? Your donation will benefit Relay for Life, of American Cancer Society!"
"No thank you." "Sure! Here's a single" "I'll donate on my way out" "Of course! Could you explain the organization's mission?" "I'm sorry guys, I can't today."

"Thank you so much! Here's a flyer and a cookie " "Alright, thank you anyways!"

Sorry for my rant. I am deeply involved with what I do. I love volunteering and helping people, and I just want to give you all a pov from the fundraiser's side because everyone here appears to be the annoyed shopper.
EDIT: I realized that I've missed half of the convo. But this rant is based on the first page of comments.

Yeah, I know this is an old thread, but I had to comment on this post.

So you're donating *other* people's money, not your own. And setting up a table in front of Stop and Shop (which I'm assuming is a store) isn't professional, which is why you're getting the reactions you get from people.

 

[The Mystery Machine]

....ZOMBIES AMONG US.....

 

[SamRoc]

We had a woman in front of the local store after hurricane sandy collecting for the homeless. I asked her where the money was going and she wouldn't give me the name of the organization, only that it helps people across the country. If she had said red cross or something i wouldn't have a problem, but she definitely looked like a scammer. All i said to her was that after hurricane sandy, i was homeless and could her organization help me. She starting packing up her folding table and left.

 

[JoeA]

Only cute kids? What if you think they are not so cute?

Don't waste your money on ugly kids. It only gives them false hope and encouragement for later on in life.

 

[Saimaeve]

It's one of the reasons I go to Target. They're pretty good at not allowing it. I'm not a fan (even of the Girl Scouts/Boy Scouts booths) Especially when they jump at you and get in the way of the door. I'm a hermit for a reason.

And hey, this thread is old but Im going to comment anyway.

 

[disneychrista]

So you joined the DIS yesterday just so you could post this on a thread that has been active in 2 years? Weird.

I just looked back, the person who resurrected it last time (in 2013) joined (new alias) and only ever had one post also. Sounds like a sock puppet talking to me.

 

[mrsv98]

We're pretty skeptical anymore also. We were in Chicago once and there were some boys outside of a store selling candy bars. I can't even remember what they said they were doing this for. My hubby stood there and watched as another boy came out of the store and said "Look at my new kix." To which one of the boys with candy replied "I'll be getting mine in a few minutes."

OMG, there was just a big bruhaha here in Chicago about this last week. Mayor Emanuel was at the Trib tower and was approached as he left by a "high school" student selling candy bars for his "basketball team". Someone later called the high school and they said they never sell candy bars and that this "kid" is a well known young looking graduate who does it all the time. Not much the school could do about it.

Around our house in the 'burbs, we often have people at large intersections asking for money for outreach or food banks. They have hand written signs and no proof they are legit, so no, they do not get my money.

We are generous with the charities we research (using Charity Navigator) and don't feel guilty about ignoring the rest.