So all this talk about the "Give a Day" promotion

[Mysteria]

I volunteered regularly for years. Unfortunately now because of up and down health I am unreliable. Even volunteers need to be reliable.

 

[Hillbeans]

I think most parents who have kids in sports (or school) in our town volunteer for something - whether it be helping out in the lunchroom at school, the PTO, Church or being a coach or team parent on a sport. Our leagues are 100% volunteer run and if you don't volunteer for something you pay double to enroll your child in the sport.

Granted it's not volunteer time to help the poor but most to all of the parents of the kids I know volunteer their time for something.

 

[disneyjunkie]

I would - and do.. No desire for Disney tickets though..

Have to say it saddens me to read about the people who are taking advantage of this program (not really performing as they should) just to get the free Disney tickets.. Can't remember if it was on the CB, BB, or Themes and Parks Board - but I guess some people are really taking "advantage"..

Come to think of it, it's pretty sad that the only way to get a family to volunteer or do community work is to bribe them with free Disney tickets..

 

[Tuffcookie]

I am!

I already have an AP so I am donating my free day to charity!

TC

 

[dislaney]

I volunteer regularly and I'm not planning on doing GAD. Hopefully some of the people that do volunteer to get the Disney tickets will see how rewarding it can be and will end up volunteering regularly as well.

 

[hereyago]

Well in a "perfect" world, everyone would be kind to each other at all times, volunteer,etc. however, we live in the real world. at least some of us do-lol.
But GAD is just a promotion, Saluting the miltary days were a promotion, birthday thing was a promotion. Disney gets people attention with these promotions.

However, GAD has given people who wouldn't know about the volunteer opportunities around a chance to learn about them. The goal is to help people is it not? SOme people will just do a couple hours and that will be it,BUT for those few hours people who need help will get it. Other people will continue to volunteer.

 

[Sparx]

I would - and do.. No desire for Disney tickets though..

Have to say it saddens me to read about the people who are taking advantage of this program (not really performing as they should) just to get the free Disney tickets.. Can't remember if it was on the CB, BB, or Themes and Parks Board - but I guess some people are really taking "advantage"..

Come to think of it, it's pretty sad that the only way to get a family to volunteer or do community work is to bribe them with free Disney tickets..

i agree. ive read people using project linus to take advantage of it. i can't imagine anything more heartless. that program is set up to give sick kids warm blankets made with love, but people are buying the cheapest blankets or materials possible, and donating the least amount possible just for their free ticket. its disgusting really.

 

[kaytieeldr]

Well, I don't have an AP, but I don't think I'm visiting a Disney park this year - so, yes, I'll be donating my ticket (two good acts for the price of one )

 

[C.Ann]

Well, I don't have an AP, but I don't think I'm visiting a Disney park this year - so, yes, I'll be donating my ticket (two good acts for the price of one )

This is a great idea! Doing the work and then donating the ticket..

Wouldn't it be awesome if lots and lots of people did that?

 

[englishteacha]

I volunteer a lot. I spend 1-2 weeks volunteering at a summer camp, I lead the church youth group, and I volunteer with a state youth organization. I did an "easy" GAD project for the tickets, I'll be honest. None of the agencies I volunteer with participated in the GAD promotion.

 

[DisneyBamaFan]

We already do many other things, but we would not do specifically what we are doing for GAD...

 

[JVL1018]

I volunteer a lot at my kids' schools, a few hours a week, which doesn't count for GAD.
My husband volunteers hundreds of hours each year as a volunteer firefighter, which also doesn't count for GAD.
He also coaches Rec wrestling, and we both coach our son's baseball team and our daughter's softball team.

We are doing a volunteer project just for the ticket(actually to use towards our APs)-trying for Meals on Wheels since that's something the kids can do, too.
The kids are really excited to volunteer somewhere, so I have a feeling that if we do something we'll end up continuing to volunteer with that organization so the kids can be involved-but if not, with all the volunteering we already do for our community,-and by we, I really mean my husband, the fire dept is a HUGE commitment- I won't feel bad about not doing more, nor do I feel bad about doing volunteering just for the ticket. Hey if they're giving it, I'll take it!

 

[Eeyores Butterfly]

I already volunteer with Make A Wish. I was already on the committe for the Walk for Wishes coming up. Now I get a free pass to be there that day.

Even if people would not do this normally, they are providing a service for various charities. This raises awareness for these charities. I wouldn't be surprised if a fair number of people continue to do things for these charities from time to time.

 

[kimmar067]

I ask this in all honestly:

How many would do some of these things if there was no material reward?

....my DH volunteered on one of the episodes of Extreme Makeover - Home Edition a couple of years ago when they built a house a few towns away from us...

 

[MickeyMomOfThree]

I volunteer a good bit, my kids have from time to time but I have wanted them to more. Most of the places we looked into (beofre GAD) wanted kids to be 8. Our youngest just turned 8. We have made blankets a few times (though not for Projext Linus) and that is what we did for GAD, but only because age wise and after getting rejected from the one we were signed up for, we did it thinking we just wanted to do something. However, my kids really wanted to work at a soup kitchn, and now that the youngest is old enough, we are planning to starting at Easter.

So while yes, we did the blankets for the "reward," it was not our first time and won't be our last time. But because of it, a plie of new blankets we wouldn't have done right now were made.

My girls all grow their hair for Locks of Love. DD15 had donated 5 times so far, DD10 has 4 times, DD8 has once and they are all planning to again soon. They got me even to grow and donate once (which took years anyway, but I had to wait till all the bleach grew out of my hair.) My oldest has organized 3 mass haircutting days so far and both her sisters have worked at them. So far we have had over 100 people come and donate their hair. My DD15 wants to go to Florida and volunteer at LOL her senior year as Spring Break.

So, while yes, we volunteer and would anyway, I think it's great for the people who answer no, because now they have and I bet many will continue to do so.

 

[All American]

I did.

My husband's work was collecting blankets, coats, etc. for the homeless shelter at Christmas. I wanted to do something and have our 5-year-old help--thought it would be good for her--so I found the Project Linus Blanket directions. We made a bunch and passed them on. It wasn't until a month later on the Budget board where I learned that those blankets would have qualified us. Oh well, we live in Utah with no plans to travel to Orlando anytime soon, and that's okay because I really enjoyed doing the project with our daughter and will do it again in a heartbeat should the need arise. Disney or not, no child should be cold on a winter's night in Utah.

 

[autumnpalm]

I volunteer regularly and do no plan on participating in GAD. Honestly though, even if people are only volunteering to get a free day at Disney- at least they're still doing something! Organizations are still benefitting and awareness of volunteer opportunities is being raised. I think GAD is an awesome promotion.

I'm not participating because I already have a regular volunteer position at a children's hospital and an at-risk after school program for youth. Neither participate in the GAD program and I don't have time to add anything else to my plate! But I think it's a great idea and awesome that Disney is doing it.