Giving trees for the needy ... Tags for big-ticket items

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:"Poor" in the US doesn't mean the same thing as poor in other less developed countries. Poor here get food stamps, free housing and transportation subsidies which all means a lot more money goes to their satellite dishes, purses, cars and clothes. I'm shocked every time I drive past section 8 housing here, they ALL have satellite dishes. I don't even have cable!

You have clearly never set foot on a Reservation or in remote areas of this country (Appalachia, New Mexico, Montana). They live in abject poverty - like Third World poverty. Poor in the United States is NOT what you described everywhere. You need to travel the US more my dear.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We adopt an angel child every year. This year I went a little over board because the little girl only asked for a winter coat and a doll. Something about just wanting a doll hit me, I realized she really has so little if her only wish is a doll.

I do think it's out of hand for kids to ask or expect 600$ xboxes, my kids know better than to ask for gift with that kind of price tag and were well off.

Wait, you realize that this little girl is also on several other charity lists right? That's why there are only 2 things on the tag. They spread the requests out over various charities and lists.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Always surprising to see X-box, leather jacket, that kind of thing, on these trees. I know: "So don't pick that tag and don't buy that thing." However, the chutpah involved, especially in this economic environment, always gives me pause.

What do you think would be a more appropriate Christmas gift? Gloves? A scarf and hat? A can of Comet? Please enlighten us.

If you are poor and need charity, it is not appropriate to ask for big ticket items. Matter of a fact, it is not appropriate to ask for expensive gift to anyone besides your SO or your parents when you are a kid/teen.

So, if I were a poor person in need of charity and needed a winter coat, I would not ask for a "leather jacket," I would ask for a "x winter jacket" (x being the color of my preference). If I needed shoes, I would ask for a pair of boots, or sneakers or whatever - but I wouldn't ask for "fryer boots." I would never have the balls to ask for a tv or xbox or whatever, unless I specify a "used tv or xbox."

Don't be obtuse pp.

These are kids pp -- how dare kids who have no stream of income, no jobs, and no idea of economics(BECAUSE THEY ARE KIDS!!) have the nerve to ask for stuff they see on TV or in the hands of other kids.
If you do not want to give it, don't. GIVE A 6 YR OLD A GIANT GIFT CARD !

We are not talking about kids here. Which kid would even ask for a "leather jacket?" Or a TV?

Then don't buy it -- simple as that.

[Anonymous]

If you can't give with an open heart, don't give. Just don't give.

[Anonymous]

I am wealthy and my kids do not have an Xbox. I think these giving trees are a scam.

My elderly parents adopted a family last year. When they went to drop off their $300.00 worth of gifts the family had a Lexus. My mom said they were rude and did not even thank them. So sad!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I am wealthy and my kids do not have an Xbox. I think these giving trees are a scam.

My elderly parents adopted a family last year. When they went to drop off their $300.00 worth of gifts the family had a Lexus. My mom said they were rude and did not even thank them. So sad!

Then do not give to them again. So there are a lot of scammers out there -- does that make every giving tree a scam? I personally only give thru an organization that vetts those who will be receiving the gifts. My mother is a pastor who gives out gifts during the holiday season and she knows who is truly in need.

[Anonymous]

My homeless brother had a Mercedes. My dad left it to him after he died.

[Anonymous]

parents sell food stamps for cigarette money. YOu know what they are going to do with an Xbox or leather jacket. Instead of breaking a child's hear by having the expensive gift taken away by a parent, give them something that has no street value so they can actually retain the gift. Before I am called a cunt, etc., I do know what I am talking about.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:parents sell food stamps for cigarette money. YOu know what they are going to do with an Xbox or leather jacket. Instead of breaking a child's hear by having the expensive gift taken away by a parent, give them something that has no street value so they can actually retain the gift. Before I am called a cunt, etc., I do know what I am talking about.

EVERYTHING has a street value.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Always surprising to see X-box, leather jacket, that kind of thing, on these trees. I know: "So don't pick that tag and don't buy that thing." However, the chutpah involved, especially in this economic environment, always gives me pause.

What do you think would be a more appropriate Christmas gift? Gloves? A scarf and hat? A can of Comet? Please enlighten us.

If you are poor and need charity, it is not appropriate to ask for big ticket items. Matter of a fact, it is not appropriate to ask for expensive gift to anyone besides your SO or your parents when you are a kid/teen.

So, if I were a poor person in need of charity and needed a winter coat, I would not ask for a "leather jacket," I would ask for a "x winter jacket" (x being the color of my preference). If I needed shoes, I would ask for a pair of boots, or sneakers or whatever - but I wouldn't ask for "fryer boots." I would never have the balls to ask for a tv or xbox or whatever, unless I specify a "used tv or xbox."

Don't be obtuse pp.

You have no idea how the question is asked. When we distribute Toys for Tots and other things at work, the kids don't know that the gifts are coming from "charity". We ask kids what they wish for or dream of. They don't know why we're asking, we make it seem like a conversation.

[Anonymous]

I don't care about the poors.

There are many programs paid for by working people where they can get goodies. Live in an urban city, you'll change your view on charity.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:parents sell food stamps for cigarette money. YOu know what they are going to do with an Xbox or leather jacket. Instead of breaking a child's hear by having the expensive gift taken away by a parent, give them something that has no street value so they can actually retain the gift. Before I am called a cunt, etc., I do know what I am talking about.

What state still uses paper food stamps? As far as I know, everything is on a debit card now. You can't sell food stamps anymore. They don't exist. They haven't existed for at least a decade.

[Anonymous]

Or find a different program if it offends you. The one I'm doing, the kids listed things like: a soccer ball, a scooter, action figures, books, and basic clothes.

[Anonymous]

Maybe the kids don't know that they are poor? Maybe they just think they are filling out what the would like, just like every other kid.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:parents sell food stamps for cigarette money. YOu know what they are going to do with an Xbox or leather jacket. Instead of breaking a child's hear by having the expensive gift taken away by a parent, give them something that has no street value so they can actually retain the gift. Before I am called a cunt, etc., I do know what I am talking about.

What state still uses paper food stamps? As far as I know, everything is on a debit card now. You can't sell food stamps anymore. They don't exist. They haven't existed for at least a decade.

There are still corrupt stores. One by me got busted for this a while ago. They sell ineligible items, fabricate sales, etc. people allow others to use their debit cards in exchange for cash. Fraud is way, way down compared to the old days, but it does still happen.