Costume drive - is this typical?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Yes, it is entitled. I don't give when there's that attitude, sorry.

You realize that isn't the attitude of the children who would actually be receiving the like-new costumes, don't you? Or do you???

Yes, I think we all realize that. It's the organizers that will then sadly pass that attitude onto their kids, but that's another story.

OK see, no, you don't understand at all. Usually the organizers are not doing a costume drive for their own kids! In fact, it is unlikely that the person who organized the drive is going to be in any way positioned to "pass on" any type of attitude or values to a child who is in the unfortunate position of being in a family that cannot or will not procure a costume for him/her. Making such an illogical assumption is nothing more than an excuse to not participate. You don't need an excuse. Just don't participate. But I hope one day you're in a position to need charity from someone else. IT would do you a WORLD of good in the character department.

Actually, I think what pp said made perfect sense. You just sound plain old crazy. And really, wishing poverty on anyone is beyond sick.

[Anonymous]

AnaBanana wrote:Our school has a container in the lobby for people to drop off costumes of any size. It's like a take one/leave one kind of thing. Parents or kids can "shop" in the container for costumes and accessories. I think any that are left over are donated if the teachers don't want them for their classrooms.

This is how a costume drive should be done.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

AnaBanana wrote:Our school has a container in the lobby for people to drop off costumes of any size. It's like a take one/leave one kind of thing. Parents or kids can "shop" in the container for costumes and accessories. I think any that are left over are donated if the teachers don't want them for their classrooms.

This is how a costume drive should be done.

+1. I would be more than happy to participate in something like this and I wish my kids' school did it. Requesting only brand new costumes seems unnecessary to me.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP here: they want new costumes. I just feel like we're being constantly asked to donate.

Okay, that is just crap. No way would I donate.

What's wrong with hand-me-down costumes? That's ridiculous.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP here: they want new costumes. I just feel like we're being constantly asked to donate.

Yep, wait until the holidays. The requests ramp up.

We were in a 40% FARMs school. The request for free stuff for these kids was never ending. This despite the fact that already received a ton of free stuff from other welfare orgs. I stopped donating.

I'm also at at high FARMs rate school and have found this to be the case. Donations for field trips, donations for coats, donations for school supplies, donations for snacks. It gets to be too much.

[Anonymous]

Our school has something similar with books, but asks you to sponsor a kid for that kid to get books. I have no idea why they aren't asking parents to donate books to these families, even if you designated an age or reading level. Because they are buying NEW books for these kids and are asking for cash, I won't donate on principal since my own kids do just fine with used books.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP here: they want new costumes. I just feel like we're being constantly asked to donate.

why new costumes??

they feel entitled....

[Anonymous]

I just donated costumes to the homeless children's playtime project in DC through an organization I belong to. We donates other necessities but the kids were so excited to have costumes that it made the $9 costume worth it.

[Anonymous]

Dang I thought private schools were the only places you got constantly asked to donate

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP here: they want new costumes. I just feel like we're being constantly asked to donate.

Okay, that is just crap. No way would I donate.

What's wrong with hand-me-down costumes? That's ridiculous.

I don't even buy new costumes for my own children - I use what we have and buy at thrift stores. New costumes just look so uninspired.

[Anonymous]

This is for the kids who have parents that don't give a shit. Honestly, anyone can make up a quick costume for free. If I had some old ones lying around maybe but no way would I spend money on costume for other's people kids. Sorry. Make your own darn costume.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Our school has something similar with books, but asks you to sponsor a kid for that kid to get books. I have no idea why they aren't asking parents to donate books to these families, even if you designated an age or reading level. Because they are buying NEW books for these kids and are asking for cash, I won't donate on principal since my own kids do just fine with used books.

Exactly. I shop at a thrift store, craiglsist, free cycle, borrow books from library, make my own kid's costumes, clip coupons, and am very stingy about what I purchase for holidays/celebrations. THAT is why we are middle class. I have learned how to save, not overspend, manage my money. The amount of new items these poor kids get. Free meals, free new backpacks, free school supplies, free new holiday gifts (that are already wrapped) free scholastic books, now free brand-new costumes?? Come on already. How about a new class to the parents on how to manage their earnings and look for deals.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP here: they want new costumes. I just feel like we're being constantly asked to donate.

Okay, that is just crap. No way would I donate.

What's wrong with hand-me-down costumes? That's ridiculous.

I don't even buy new costumes for my own children - I use what we have and buy at thrift stores. New costumes just look so uninspired.

This!

We either make ours or buy at thrift stores or are lucky enough to get something handed down/traded from a friend. Who NEEDS a brand-new costume?

[Anonymous]

OP,

Our school has one organized by a family for an outside organization. Personally, this is my favorite time to donate because kids freaking LOVE Halloween and if donating a costume to some kid who might not get one otherwise adds to his/her delight then it's easy. I bought 2-3 costumes off Amazon Warehouse Deals and spent a total of $15. Our Halloween drive consists of a box in the hall so there aren't any specific requests for sizes or sign-ups.

This is like the weird territorial posts about out of neighborhood kids invading for better candy.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Dang I thought private schools were the only places you got constantly asked to donate

Noooo way. We are asked constantly at our MCPS