Topic: I have more issues!

[Yellow Petals]

Before I start to rant, I know it's each to their own, and I am aware that I do not know each person individually and what they do in their private lives, but .....

..... I was on the till today and in my store we had the staff of the local homeless shelter in and they had a little stall set up with some information, newspaper cuttings etc and about four of them were holding the collection 'tins' for people to contribute as they walked past (apparently they are no longer allowed to shake their tins!  Lord knows why)

Anyway, I watched a lot of what was going on (am such a nosey person) and I felt so downhearted and quite emotional that almost nobody wanted to throw in their spare shrapnel.  When I say shrapnel, I'm not talking pound coins, fifty pence pieces etc (although that would be nice) but just plain shrapnel; we all have it! 

Thousands of customers going through the checkouts with oodles of presents, food you could feed Cambodia with, drink you could refill the ocean with but nobody wanted to donate just the smallest amount of change for people who don't even have a roof over their head all year round, let alone Christmas time.  Greed, greed, greed.

I called one of the guys over and asked him if I could have one of his shakers on my till, in the hope that it might encourage some customers to chuck in their 5ps, 2ps or 1ps at the end of their transactions.  In three hours, just three people did so - two of them because I was prompting along the way.

I know that I'm really opinionated on things like this and I know that a lot of people don't agree and I try to respect that, but a lousy few pence? 

After my shift, I gave them back the money shaker, apologised for not doing too well (when infact it wasn't me it was the selfish, greedy customers) and signed out of work.  Went and got twenty quid from the cashpoint, came back and stuck it in the very shaker I had been looking after!  The guys couldn't believe it.  Kept asking me if I was joking.  One even called me an angel.  Fancy being considered that just for doing my own little bit.  Whether it pays for some electric this Xmas, a box of tea bags or even a turkey, it's something good for someone who wouldn't have had it otherwise.

Ok, I've finished now and duly apologise if I have offended anybody.   

[Derekthefox]

On the contrary Yellow Petals, you are highlighting the true nature of Christmas (is the bah humbug man really saying this?). I tend to drop a coin at any busker, or other person who looks like they need help, and most 'flag days' etc, but I avoid supermarkets because in my own saddo way, I feel pressurised into coughing up, which negates the charity nature which I want to practice. I do find this sad, because we are only talking of a coin ...

I have made my own bed, and I sleep in it accordingly, but I hope this does not cloud your Christmas ...

Derekthefox :D

[Delilah]

Always gets my heckles up, this sort of single minded "I'm all right Jack" behaviour that 99.9% of the population practice.

Good on yer Yellow Petals for the twenty quid, I wouldn't have been able to put that in the collection box but then I WOULD have put in my shrapnel. 

What we have to remember, especially at this time of year, when the emphasis is on family and giving, is that it doesn't matter how we may feel about our own situation there is always somebody worse off than us!

[tim]

Bully for you, Petals!

[Yellow Petals]

Good on yer Yellow Petals for the twenty quid, I wouldn't have been able to put that in the collection box but then I WOULD have put in my shrapnel. 

In complete honesty, I can't really afford to give money away like that either (at any time of the year) but having sat and watched the goings on all day, something just spurred me on to do it.  I also thought about the stupid amount of money I've spent on presents this year and that made up my mind for me!

[wardy]

I would hate to think that I would have to live on the street and ok there may be some fakes out there but most are homeless if they are begging on the streets.  I think sometimes the folks with the most money are the meanest and make excuses for not giving, eg they're not really homeless etc.  If you give even a small amount, eg the price of a hot drink, how can that hurt?

If you don't want to do that buy a Big Issue

[Derekthefox]

I remember my dad, who is living in an almshouse in the centre of Coventry, was baking christmas cakes for the residents (his presents to them). He baked too many, so he wandered up to the subway where one poor chap was shivering with his guitar, and my dad gave him this cake. He said the bloke almost cried with gratitude ... Hmmm, I have just had an idea ... next time I am in town, they will all get mince pies ...

Derekthefox :D

[wardy]

I went to McD's with my son for a meal but before we left he bought some stuff to take out ?  When he got outside he gave it to the down and out who was sitting nearby. Not a word was spoken

My son never has two pence to rub together.  I was so proud of him I could have given him a big hug but said nothing  :'(

[undercarriage plan]

Well done YP, though I have to say, I had a slightly different experience when Christmas shopping on Friday. Trundling along, lady came up to me offering me half dead, well dead really, heather for some money, felt same as you, gave her some money. She gave me three blessings, life, love erm can't remember third...typical...then asked me for some more money, I said I coudn't afford anymore, thanked her for the heather and moved on, ....let's just say I think my blessings have been retracted and a few curses tacked on.....and it has made me think twice, turned a nice experience into quite a frightening one... :(

[Derekthefox]

Yes I understand 'fear of the marketplace' only too well. When I shop I am in and out as fast as possible, no one gets a chance to accost me ...

Derekthefox :D

[daveandtara]

on the other hand...........
i give to certain charities, those that are close to my heart. i give time, money and expertise. and i give a considered amount based upon my circumstances.
therefore, i choose never to give to charities collecting when i'm out.

i agree that 'the homeless' as a generic group are in real need, but i don't always agree with the ethics of some of the charities around them.
many street collecters earn 10-23% of takings.
some charities pay their execs six figure salaries.
 it is a sad fact that people in crisis attract scams a plenty and i would rather save my change for the salvation army or crisis at xmas who i trust to get it to those in need.
thus endeth the sermon.........sorry :-\
i'll get me coat
Tara xxx

[TULIP-23]

Well Organized here Rotary Club
I believe.... Visit every Supermarket on the the Same day

Kerst Actie [ Christmas Action ] No pressure no asking

You do it Voluntery.... just One Piece on Grocer Shopping ...
set on the Table...Goes to our Elderly...[ blimey Im nearly there ]

I think its called the [ Feel good Factor ] to do it...Its not the world or Expensive....anything from a couple of Euro Cents to Euro´s entirely up to you.

But Yellow Petal...Good on You

Its nice to now that those alone ¨Our elderly Folks ` recieve a
Christmas Parcel.

[kenkew]

A few years back I walked past a lady of about 25 who was walking up and down with a tin collecting for homeless people. She was dressed inadequately for such a cold day and she had a limp. In the supermarket I bought a cheap thermos and had it filled with coffee at the snack bar. On the way out I passed it to her and gave her my name and telephone number and asked her to let me know when she was in that part of town again and I promised to do her something to eat and bring it along.
Well, and this is the interesting bit. From my name and telephone number she must have got my address because a few days later this 4x4 rolled up and 'my lady' got out of the passenger side, smartly dressed and not a limp insight, and delivered me my thermos back with a 'Thank you'. They then drove off!
I was speechless!

[Derekthefox]

Very interesting as you say kenkew, it gives confidence that there are some warm people out there after all. I empathise strongly with you Tara, a lot of charitable money does get syphoned off sadly, but most of it does presumably get used positively. Like you, I like to see my contributions have a direct effect, and so tend to support organisations like the salvation army, even if I dont support the religious side ... but then charity is about morals, not creed.

Derekthefox :D

[wardy]

That's a terrible story Ken and isn't it a shame that your future generosity could be clouded by such an incident and that some poor unfortunate genuine person could miss out because of someone else's greed  :(

I used to live next door to a Sally Army bloke Derek and he was lovely and he had nothing!  Anything he did get he gave away.  He had a wife and four kids and they had nowt and my mum used to give them our hand me downs as there were four of us kids too.  Lovely, genuine folks  :)

[TULIP-23]

Derekthefox
you have a good point there....Fine Examples

Africa...the tsunami...Live Aid....How much goes direct to the People on the Ground who need it.

Are the Planes Free the Fuel Free Transport Free Petrol Free
you can go on and on....Whats that old Saying [ Charity begins at Home ]

Our Veterens...Homeless...Abused Children...Terminally Ill
oh and Lots more

[Derekthefox]

I was very disillusioned many years ago by business selfishness. I was a competent engineer and came across a charity called REDR, a register of Engineers for Distaster Relief, who provided relevant technical skills on a 48 hour callout for all sorts of problems, eg electrical systems, sanitation, flood management, machinery specialists etc. I seemed to have the necessary skills and was keen to be elegible, but needed the permission of my employer as they would be asked to provide financial support for my family if I was deployed (normally one month maximum). I worked for a world wide engineering company at the time, with an American parent. I presented my request to the MD, who turned me down coldly, without discussion. He simply said he didn't believe in charity. I ended up joining the Territorial Army, as he couldn't stop me doing that. Ironic really, I still had no support, even although the MoD was the company's biggest customer ... Needless to say though, my career took a nosedive ... I was left bitter, with little respect for the line management.

Derekthefox :D

[Delilah]

Went to our annual French Market today and there was a stall serving soup for a donation to The Forge - this is a local charity for the homeless in our town.

I though of you Yellow Petals, didn't particularly want any soup but emptied the shrapnel from purse and popped it in their collection tin.

Then this evening the local Hospice came a knocking.  Every year a small bus type vehicle is dressed up as Santas Sleigh and is driven aroung our town, they knock on doors and ask if the children want to see Santa and parents pop a donation in the tin.  This year there was no sleigh, Santa was on foot, red tape and risk assessments consider it too dangerous for kiddies to climb on a motorised vehicle - I'm just stuck for words, annoyed and amazed!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Derekthefox]

Yes Delilah, risk assessments seem to go overboard sometimes, the reason being of course, that someone is now accountable ...

Derekthefox :D

[Delilah]

Its a culture of claim and counter-claim :(