topic Re: Websites That Ask For Donations in Community Chat

Websites That Ask For Donations

Jordan2 — Mon, 04 May 2020 19:30:27 GMT

I am as charitable as the next person, but websites that ask me for a donation bothers me. I have certain charities that I donate to when I can. I don't like companies such as Macys, HSN, ShopNBC,etc asking me while I am purchasing something from them ( for a special occasion, not for myself) can I donate money to the cause they're connected with. I feel these companies make enough money, why can't they make donations in the company's name? Also times are hard right now, asking people for donations at this time, when they are barely getting by themselves isn't right.

Re: Websites That Ask For Donations

Krimpette — Mon, 04 May 2020 19:33:50 GMT

Actually, I believe some of them say they will matfch your donation. Having said that, I donate on my own....not through any outside source.

Re: Websites That Ask For Donations

Miss Pepsi — Mon, 04 May 2020 19:34:27 GMT

My view is this, no one is making you make a donation. They are just asking. Yes times are tough. More so for some than others. I don't have a problem with them asking. If I have it and I feel like donating, I donate, if I don't then I won't.

I guess I don't see the harm in them asking and with all that is going on right now, of all the things I personally have to be concerned about (for me only) this is not one of them.

Re: Websites That Ask For Donations

Anonymous032819 — Mon, 04 May 2020 19:34:33 GMT

Nobody is forcing you to donate to the charity that the store is promoting.

It's an option, a choice.

The stores probably do donate themselves, but having it at check out, is just another way for people to donate.

Yes, a lot of people are struggling financially, but not everyone is, and even $1 can help.

Re: Websites That Ask For Donations

QueenDanceALot — Mon, 04 May 2020 19:38:16 GMT

They can ask and you can decline. Kinda simple.

It's not like they are trying to take advantage of poor people. Retailers like the ones you mentioned are probably not frequented much by people who are barely getting by. More likely the shoppers have some discretionary income.

But whatever, it's just a request. You're not obligated.

Re: Websites That Ask For Donations

Annabellethecat66 — Mon, 04 May 2020 19:41:14 GMT

I donate a lot of money (to me it's a lot) to various places.

I started out having St Jude take $19 out automatically every month. Then somehow it has progressed to $25 every month.

But that's not good enough. They constantly send me things asking for more money. Lately, they've wanted me to leave my life insurance to them.

The only reason I started out donating to them was because my late husband did it. I decided to continue it in his name.

I'm not about to donate my life insurance to them.

I know they advertise they don't make people pay but if you have health insurance you sure do pay and pay.

We've always taken our girls to Children's Hospital in Washington, DC. Over the years we've been there maybe 35 time for various reasons.

Each time they hit our insurance company up for a lot of money. That's OK because they took care of the problem with excellence.

However, I don't think it's right that they all say people don't pay because if you have health insurance you REALLY do pay and pay.

I'll bet a lot of you are like me. I'll donate money to place closer to home so that I'll know where my hard earned money will go (not to some CEO).

I especially like donating to animal places that need help. I might see on TV where there's a place that takes in old pets. I saw that one day and sent them a little money.

My guess is many of you do things like that.

One reason I enjoy coming here is because there are so many of you who are kind and give whatever time and/or money you can to help others. It's a good feeling to know there are so many people willing to help and are kind.

Re: Websites That Ask For Donations

VaBelle35 — Mon, 04 May 2020 19:46:45 GMT

I'm on the fence. I ordered puzzles from Springbok last week and they are supporting an organization with every order. I had not heard of that organization before and did some research and they support my area.

Instead of adding the money to my order, I made a separate donation direclty to the one in my area.

But in general, I'm not a fan, but it doesn't bother me as long as it doesn't default to a donation and it doesn't ask me "if I'm sure" 3 times ;o)

Re: Websites That Ask For Donations

shaggygirl — Mon, 04 May 2020 19:48:48 GMT

Once again my grocery store is doing this deal where they ask, when your total comes up, if you want to donate the change part to......I don't even remember what the charity was today. So if your total is $20.55 they ask if you want to donate 45 cents to bring your total to $21.00. This was at the little thingy you put your cc or debit card in. I don't what happens if you're paying cash at a register w/a cashier.

Re: Websites That Ask For Donations

Tessa Mendoza — Mon, 04 May 2020 20:01:13 GMT

I really don't like it.

I give to a lot of charities of my choice when I can. Don't need to be bombarded with requests, especially at a supermarket when they ask you if you would like to give and you really feel you have to say "yes." I have gotten so annoyed that I have said "no" and they can think of me what they will.

Same thing happened to me with St. Jude's. I started off with one number every month and it morphed up and up till I got annoyed and just stopped my contributions. I get emails from animal chaarities on a daily basis, even if I just gave the day before.

Re: Websites That Ask For Donations

kitcat51 — Mon, 04 May 2020 20:17:41 GMT

If you don't ask you don't get.

Re: Websites That Ask For Donations

tansy — Mon, 04 May 2020 20:38:02 GMT

Unless a donation is being sought for a local teen with huge medical bills or something similar, I donate to the organizations directly.

Re: Websites That Ask For Donations

ScarletDove — Mon, 04 May 2020 20:43:55 GMT

There are specific charities I have supported exclusively for years and a few different each year. A few of the long-term supported have grown and expanded with a huge donor list, so changed over to some smaller organizations where help needed. I donate direct to the charity/organization to which I know where the funds go. Grocer donation request--no; local can/food drives--no, and on and on--I do not know where my donation would go and/or who would receive, so I do not donate when that is the case. I've noticed more charity ads on the radio and websites and ignore.

Re: Websites That Ask For Donations

Wsmom — Mon, 04 May 2020 20:45:28 GMT

At the stores, whether it be at the register or the people standing outside, if you can tell me where it's going, I will donate. I don't want to donate to the homeless or the hungry in LA when I live in No Cal and we have plenty up here I am more than happy to donate to. Same with huge umbrellas, like "children with disabilities". Tell me where it is going; generally they don't know. So I just donate to the specifiic groups I want to donate to, and then on The Day of Giving generally companies match certain charities.

Re: Websites That Ask For Donations

candyagain — Mon, 04 May 2020 20:54:18 GMT

I, too, prefer to donate directly and to local charities. I also almost always give cash to local promotions at the supermarket.

The one that really irritates me though is when I've just spent almost $20 for popcorn and a soda at the movie theatre and the ushers come around asking for donations to some national charity. I say donate some of your profits for 50 cents worth of corn and carbonated water to the charity......

Re: Websites That Ask For Donations

jonbon — Mon, 04 May 2020 20:55:41 GMT

@Tessa Mendoza wrote:
I really don't like it.

I give to a lot of charities of my choice when I can. Don't need to be bombarded with requests, especially at a supermarket when they ask you if you would like to give and you really feel you have to say "yes." I have gotten so annoyed that I have said "no" and they can think of me what they will.

Same thing happened to me with St. Jude's. I started off with one number every month and it morphed up and up till I got annoyed and just stopped my contributions. I get emails from animal chaarities on a daily basis, even if I just gave the day before.

I don't feel this way at all. If I want to donate, I do. If I don't, I just politely decline (I usually say, "Not today"). I have never felt that I had to say yes, and the check out people really don't care. Same with mail solicitations -- I give on the schedule I choose and simply discard any additional mail. For email solicitations, I "unsubscribe" from whatever list it is. For me, it's not very difficult.

Re: Websites That Ask For Donations

Kachina624 — Mon, 04 May 2020 20:59:45 GMT

I find it ridiculously easy to ignore such requests.

Re: Websites That Ask For Donations

Anonymous032819 — Mon, 04 May 2020 21:00:34 GMT

@jonbon wrote:
@Tessa Mendoza wrote:
I really don't like it.

I give to a lot of charities of my choice when I can. Don't need to be bombarded with requests, especially at a supermarket when they ask you if you would like to give and you really feel you have to say "yes." I have gotten so annoyed that I have said "no" and they can think of me what they will.

Same thing happened to me with St. Jude's. I started off with one number every month and it morphed up and up till I got annoyed and just stopped my contributions. I get emails from animal chaarities on a daily basis, even if I just gave the day before.

I don't feel this way at all. If I want to donate, I do. If I don't, I just politely decline (I usually say, "Not today"). I have never felt that I had to say yes, and the check out people really don't care. Same with mail solicitations -- I give on the schedule I choose and simply discard any additional mail. For email solicitations, I "unsubscribe" from whatever list it is. For me, it's not very difficult.

@jonbon

Same thing with me.

At the check out counter, I politely decline.

Mail solicitations?

Go in to the shredder.

Email?

Delete.

It really is just that easy!