Re: Christmas giving programs

Fran, I didn't mean to come down too hard, just adding a little optimism.
We all have to choose a method of giving that works for us.  As for myself,
I'm broke.  I scraped a few $ together to give to the DAV, but that's it
this year.  I had to drop my animal charity last January when I lost my job.
I'm selling off some collectibles so I'll be able to by some small gifts for
family.

I can be cynical about it or I can say it's Christmas, a time to share.  I
have a friend coming to my house for Thanksgiving dinner tomorrow who has
lost virtually everything, even her home.  So I know there are those who
have it much worse than I.

If a 5 yr old dumps a teddy bear in a trash can, that attitude is the fault
of his/her parents. S/he learned that somewhere.

As for being careful about giving, I once dated a guy whose twin brother was
always short of money.  Jerry had a wife and 4 kids, and Terry & I didn't
want to see them hungry, but Terry had helped before only to find his
brother had spent it on booze or rec drugs.  I told him it was a no-brainer.
We worked in a grocery store.  We bought them groceries.  Jerry was
"grateful", but not particularly happy.

Kitty

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "F M Ferrari" <fm4re@swbell.net>
To: <gardenchat@hort.net>
Sent: Wednesday, November 24, 2004 3:12 PM
Subject: Re: [CHAT] Christmas giving programs


> Oh Kitty, I don't mean that I don't buy and buy "pretty" - I'm actually
> pretty generous compared to many here. But when the $25.00 Target gift
> card to a family I don't know is not "enough" or the teddy bear gets
> dumped in the trash can by a cynical 5 year old, welllllll..... So I
> take care of the barn manager at the barn where I kept my horse and
> still ride. I KNOW that any extra $25.00 gift card from Target is
> appreciated by her.
>
>
> I'm just more careful where I make my donations anymore and donate my
> time. I want to help but don't want to be taken advantage of or told
> that what I give is not enough or not trendy enough, etc. Why does a
> homeless person need a brand new coat and not the one I've outgrown but
> still in good condition? If I was still thin enough, I would still be
> wearing it which is fine for me but not some homeless person? See what I
> mean? I'm really a pessimistic Pollyanna, wanting to help and hope
> everyone gets along yet know that it's useless sometimes. But, I still
> try and help when I want. Fran
>
>
>
> Kitty <kmrsy@comcast.net> wrote:
> I agree the basics are important, but the "wants" for material things
> shouldn't be overlooked at Christmas. It doesn't have to be bling, but
with
> the serviceable tube socks, couldn't you include one pair with pink lace
> around the edge? It's Cmas and everyone needs a little sparkle.
> It is sad that the assumption is that anything a poor child wants but
> doesn't get will be stolen. I know some of that will happen, but I don't
> think it is true across the board.
>
> Kitty
>
> ----- Original Message ----- 
> From: "F M Ferrari"
> To:
> Sent: Wednesday, November 24, 2004 11:15 AM
> Subject: Re: [CHAT] Christmas giving programs
>
>
> > You know, I really don't think that Jim's remark is that off. If these
> > kids are so poor, then they need some basics. Here at work, we always
> > adopt families and kids. Often request a list of "wants" for Christmas.
> > Let me tell you these "poor" kids want more material things than most
> > kids I know. Lot's of requests for name brand stuff that is tied into
> > gang affiliation, lot's of "bling bling", etc.
> >
> >
> > Yeah, like anything related to gangs is going to be bought by
> > corrections employees! I hate how ungrateful so many of our adoptees
> > are. I'll only contribute stuff like socks and underwear, let them steal
> > the other stuff they want - I need a job until I retire. Fran (I'm a
> > biostatistician for OK corrections medical services)
> >
> >
> > Jesse Bell wrote:
> > *snicker*...why does that NOT surprise me Jim. You crack me up. While
> you're at it...throw a lump of cole in there too. LOL
> >
> > Jesse
> >
> > james singer wrote:
> > I don't know about the area where you live, but here there are several
> > organizations that want you to pick a child's name out of some sort of
> > replica of a hat and then go buy that child something for christmas. I
> > think this is a great idea. I intend to buy several of these children
> > the same sort of presents I got when I was their age. Socks and
> > underwear.
> >
> >
> >
> > Island Jim
> > Southwest Florida
> > 27.0 N, 82.4 W
> > Zone 10a
> > Minimum 30 F [-1 C]
> >
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