the United Way can Go F#$@ themselves

[Radar]

I work at a school. Every I have worked there and a few before, we have had a X-mas clothes give away. We would get donations from local agencies and companies and of course employees. At first I thought it was really neat as the kids often came to school in dirty clothes and wore the same clothes day after day. There was a big breakfast and Santa would come it was great. But then greed set in. Not all families could be serviced every year, and some did not need to be serviced yet wanted. We now have families asking us how they can get on the list to get clothes. It is so uncomfortable to be put in that situation. Now we all dread the give away because we know that parents will be coming asking to be put on the list. Some even argue with the principal saying how they deserve, even though they have been getting it for at least 7 years and have never done anything to improve their situation in the last 7 years. What ever happened to a hand to help you up instead of just repeated hand outs. Every one needs help once in a while, I hope the OP is able to find some help.

[mgilmer]

It is because of close minded comments like this, that I am railing about. It may be "the way it is" as you so put it, but so was segrigation back in the fifties. It was wrong then and it is wrong now; and unless we stand up and say that wrong is wrong reguardless of who it may affect. This is what the great speakers for civil rights like Medger Evers, Martin Luther King, and even Abraham Lincon were not afraid to stand up and say, and in saying, changed the way it is. Fair or not, the way it is can be changed when needed.

I was not trying to offend. Sorry you took it that way. I was just offering an explanation. I would like to see it changed too, but I cannot see how it will in the short term.

[felinefan]

I subscribe to some survey sites, as well as to MyPoints.com, where for clicking on the link provided and reading ads, I get points. It takes awhile to get enough points, but I have been persistent and gotten a few things from them. Earlier this year I got a couple of Barnes and Noble gift cards, and used them online for a couple of books I've been wanting.

Anyway, I think it was Hotmail that had this program of if you get into this promotion they had, everytime you send an email, the charity of your choice from a list provided gets something like 50 cents. I chose the Humane Society. So that is another way to contribute, without getting hit with a guilt trip.
Oh, and with MyPoints, you can opt to donate points to certain charities, though I think it's the Red Cross and a couple of others; I think the minimum donation is 500 points. MyPoints is free to join. You usually get 5 points per click, but if you answer an occaisonal survey, you can get 10-25 points; if you download their toolbar, or buy stuff online, or sign up for services, you can get hundreds and even thousands of points. I prefer the 5 points per click. Though when I ordered those books through their site, I got like 10 points per dollar spent, so that got me around 300 points to renew my account with. Worth looking into, especially if you're not in a hurry to get things.

[turkeyham]

In Long Beach, CA there is a Good Will shop that carries clothing for cheaper prices. All the clothes that are sold, the money go straight to the company. :)

[Cranbiz]

I am also one that will never give the United Way another dime! I also was shafted by that org. a long time ago.

The only thing that they even offered was putting my in a class on how to be homeless!

Fortunately, things turned around for me before I needed that type of help. :twisted:

Now, a friend of mine way put in charge of fundraising at Northeastern University. The normal charity of choice was... guess who... The United Way.

He increased contributions 100% over the past year by offering the staff a choice of charities. The United Way contributions were down 80% from the last year.

Guess who was not asked to spearhead the fundraising the next year.

[DevilDuckie]

http://www.charitynavigator.org/

I have found this site useful for researching who I want to give my money to. They do a pretty detailed breakdown and their ratings make sense.

[Sarah Magdalene]

Hmm, all I did was say check "No I will not donate" on the hub when participation is encouraged. When they say Participation, they just want you to say weather you will donate or not. It's nothing to big deal out of really.

I always believed that the donated funds to United Way goes to programs for to needy community kids. (which would be my preference) Looks like it does not. Pity. I'd rather my funds go to the kids.

Maybe Disney should hook up with something like UNICEF. That I'd happily give to.

[hobie16]

Here's a charity that saves lives.

http://www.nothingbutnets.net/

[Shorty82]

Hmm, all I did was say check "No I will not donate" on the hub when participation is encouraged. When they say Participation, they just want you to say weather you will donate or not. It's nothing to big deal out of really.

The day before yesterday one of my managers calls me over to the computer behind our area's desk and has me log into the Hub. She tells me how to get to the United Way page and gives me this little spiel about it. Without hesitation I chose the no donation option because of this thread. Even with that option the manager gave me a participation pin and said I could grab a bag of chips from a basket of them on my break. I forgot about the chips though, no big deal as I don't eat chips that often anyway.

[Doctor McKey]

I fail to give money to the UW based on the fact that they will no longer give money to orginizations such as the Boy Scouts due to their unwillingness to allow gays into their leadership roles. I by no means hate on the gays.. it is their right to practice their way of life.

Now with that being said... UW in it self is a good org. but i, like others, would rather donate to the direct org. then the middle man that takes a cut for "admin" purpouses.

I.E. Red Cross can kiss my rosey red ass after the 2004 huricain season and the tragidy of Sept. 2001 when I lost over 300 of my brothers and sisters in the fire service.

<soapbox> I will now step down </soapbox>

The Doctor