topic Re: Cyber Begging in Community Chat

Cyber Begging

Vamp — Sat, 06 Dec 2014 16:46:57 GMT

How do you all feel about GO FUND ME requests on social networks, like Facebook? Am I the only one who feels like this is the on-line equivalent to begging? Or is this just part of the New World?

Re: Cyber Begging

partypan — Sat, 06 Dec 2014 16:49:40 GMT

It depends on what's being funded.

Re: Cyber Begging

Preds — Sat, 06 Dec 2014 16:51:10 GMT

I find it strange, but it appears to be the new norm. The days of donation buckets at cash registers is a thing of the past.

Re: Cyber Begging

Say Nay — Sat, 06 Dec 2014 16:57:46 GMT

There are people who have been victims of violent crimes, children dying of illnesses, wounded veterans, animal rescue supporters, etc. who have either requested funding for themselves or requested funding on behalf of others. I don't see anything wrong with it. No one is forced to give.

Re: Cyber Begging

Pqfan — Sat, 06 Dec 2014 17:01:50 GMT

It depends on what it is needed for. I have seen it used for good and bad things.

Re: Cyber Begging

Say Nay — Sat, 06 Dec 2014 17:04:05 GMT

I encourage you to go to the website and look under "Success Stories". Read some of the stories behind the requests. And read some of the replies from the supporters.

Yes, people have to be careful when donating. Doing your own due diligence is important. But to anyone who doubts there is kindness in the world Go Fund Me will crush all skepticism.

Re: Cyber Begging

Vamp — Sat, 06 Dec 2014 17:07:31 GMT

On 12/6/2014 Typo Quean said:
There are people who have been victims of violent crimes, children dying of illnesses, wounded veterans, animal rescue supporters, etc. who have either requested funding for themselves or requested funding on behalf of others. I don't see anything wrong with it. No one is forced to give.

I agree, and I have mixed feelings about it sometimes. Sometimes they get posted by friends of friends, so who knows how genuine the need is? If I don't know the people, I definitely don't give, even if their story is sad. I just don't know what is legitimate.

Don't get me wrong, I am generous and give to many organized charities. At times I have given directly to friends who are in need. I just think the "Go Fund Me" format is the same thing as begging, and it feels a little weird to me, I guess. Also, it reminds me that there is something wrong with our government that people need to ask friends to help them with medical bills, which is the #1 reason in America that people incur huge debt and file for bankruptcy. It's sad, really.

Re: Cyber Begging

Moonchilde — Sat, 06 Dec 2014 17:10:18 GMT

I suspect the OP was commenting more on people trying it out to see what they can get for themselves in situations where you wouldn't go ask random strangers (or even friends) in person. I have actually been having this conversation with others within the past few days. Such things as making a page and posting on FB to contribute so a home seller of goods can attend the company's convention.

Many people ask for funds to pay vet bills for their pets, for example. I might find it a bit startling, but would consider that worthy. What each considers worthy is personal. But there is IMO a HUGE potential for scam artists. There is no way to know, in most cases, whether anything that is claimed is actually true. Unless I *know* the person, I'm pretty much a skeptic.

Re: Cyber Begging

YorkieonmyPillow — Sat, 06 Dec 2014 17:14:02 GMT

I don't have a problem with people begging in cyberspace or panhandling. That may be the only thing left for them to do.

As far as gofundme, I would not contribute unless I knew or could verify the situation.

Re: Cyber Begging

Vamp — Sat, 06 Dec 2014 17:17:49 GMT

Thank you, moonchilde, for stating it so clearly. I really do have mixed feelings about it. I realize that many people find themselves in terrible situations that not only are emotionally overwhelming, but financially taxing as well. It's heartbreaking. That being said, I would never ask my friends or family to chip in to pay a vet bill, for example. That's my pet, my responsibility. I was raised in a house where charity was something you do for others, not something you ask for yourself, so that's on me, be it right or wrong.

It is startling to me to have seen people ask for funds for elective surgery and to finance their son's athletic training or a trip abroad to study. I'm sure you all have stories to tell of similar requests.

Maybe it is more streamlined to give directly to the source in need, rather than donate to charitable organizations who have to pay salaries, etc.

I am genuinely interested in your thoughts and feelings about this subject as it seems to be a growing trend. The times they are a-changin'!

Re: Cyber Begging

brii — Sat, 06 Dec 2014 17:18:35 GMT

It can be both good and bad.

A friend of ours died leaving behind 5 small children. There was enough funds raised to pay for his burial costs, and other expenses, including his mortgage for a year, with those funds.

I don't like to hear of people taking advantage of other people though. I think there is more good than bad...

Re: Cyber Begging

YorkieonmyPillow — Sat, 06 Dec 2014 17:20:04 GMT

Yes, a lot of the requests I see are for burial expenses when there is an unexpected death. That's so sad....

Re: Cyber Begging

Moonchilde — Sat, 06 Dec 2014 17:33:46 GMT

On 12/6/2014 Vamp said:
Thank you, moonchilde, for stating it so clearly. I really do have mixed feelings about it. I realize that many people find themselves in terrible situations that not only are emotionally overwhelming, but financially taxing as well. It's heartbreaking. That being said, I would never ask my friends or family to chip in to pay a vet bill, for example. That's my pet, my responsibility. I was raised in a house where charity was something you do for others, not something you ask for yourself, so that's on me, be it right or wrong.

It is startling to me to have seen people ask for funds for elective surgery and to finance their son's athletic training or a trip abroad to study. I'm sure you all have stories to tell of similar requests.

Maybe it is more streamlined to give directly to the source in need, rather than donate to charitable organizations who have to pay salaries, etc.

I am genuinely interested in your thoughts and feelings about this subject as it seems to be a growing trend. The times they are a-changin'!

We had a situation at work where someone's son was attending college on an athletic scholarship. His mother put a note and an envelope out stating he needed equipment that cost $250 and would you please donate! I thought that was incredibly tacky - not to mention that if you are on an athletic scholarship I can't believe necessary athletic equipment wouldn't be provided to a scholarship student. I suspect someone had told mom about Go Fund Me and she decided to try it the Lazy Mom's way. Eww.

Re: Cyber Begging

kdgn — Sat, 06 Dec 2014 17:34:11 GMT

In some ways I see gofundme as a simpler way to collect money for a specific reason. I've only had one experience with it-last summer a dear friend of ours dropped dead of a heart attack. This man was the organizer of multi-year high school reunions who knew everyone and everyone knew him. He founded the alumni FB page, just a man who knew people all over the country and beyond. People wanted to do something for the family, but what? In the old days someone would have set up a bank account or something. Instead, one of the classmates set up a gofundme account. Around 40 friends managed to drive to for fly in for his funeral. At the gathering after the funeral they met with the widow and presented her with a rather large check. It was a small way to show how much they all cared for and respected him.

I've read about this being used as a way for families to receive help for funeral costs when there has been a fatal accident or unexpected death, especially of a child. It may be taking the place of car washes or other fund raisers held to help.

Re: Cyber Begging

Say Nay — Sat, 06 Dec 2014 18:05:52 GMT

On 12/6/2014 Vamp said:
On 12/6/2014 Typo Quean said:
There are people who have been victims of violent crimes, children dying of illnesses, wounded veterans, animal rescue supporters, etc. who have either requested funding for themselves or requested funding on behalf of others. I don't see anything wrong with it. No one is forced to give.

I agree, and I have mixed feelings about it sometimes. Sometimes they get posted by friends of friends, so who knows how genuine the need is? If I don't know the people, I definitely don't give, even if their story is sad. I just don't know what is legitimate.

Don't get me wrong, I am generous and give to many organized charities. At times I have given directly to friends who are in need. I just think the "Go Fund Me" format is the same thing as begging, and it feels a little weird to me, I guess. Also, it reminds me that there is something wrong with our government that people need to ask friends to help them with medical bills, which is the #1 reason in America that people incur huge debt and file for bankruptcy. It's sad, really.

This is why people need help. I would much prefer a family asks for money than go through bankruptcy which impacts our entire economy.

Re: Cyber Begging

deepwaterdotter — Sat, 06 Dec 2014 18:23:27 GMT

I view this activity the same way I view posting on this BB, you can choose to participate or you can choose to pass it by. I have never visited a "cyber begging" site.

Re: Cyber Begging

bells4me — Sat, 06 Dec 2014 18:39:42 GMT

I would contribute to someone I know, but there are a lot of scammers on that site.

Re: Cyber Begging

DoneTryin — Sat, 06 Dec 2014 19:04:44 GMT

I don't know about individuals who use the site to raise $$, but I have donated through them to a local internet radio station. They do not have a lot of sponsors with big money so they ask listeners to donate. I know it's legit because I listen to that station on my work pc every day.

Re: Cyber Begging

Vamp — Sat, 06 Dec 2014 19:54:19 GMT

On 12/6/2014 deepwaterdotter said:
I view this activity the same way I view posting on this BB, you can choose to participate or you can choose to pass it by. I have never visited a "cyber begging" site.

Technically, it's called "crowd sourcing". "Cyber begging" is what I call it...

Re: Cyber Begging

NoelSeven — Sat, 06 Dec 2014 20:48:26 GMT

On 12/6/2014 Typo Quean said:
There are people who have been victims of violent crimes, children dying of illnesses, wounded veterans, animal rescue supporters, etc. who have either requested funding for themselves or requested funding on behalf of others. I don't see anything wrong with it. No one is forced to give.

ITA.

Now that I see who you are, it's no wonder I agree with you I wondered, Who is this intelligent person?