Community Chat

[Icegoddess]

We have a local radio personality who does a drive every year to give bikes to kids. It's done through Toys for Tots.  He camps out on top of one of those platforms.  I think when he first started, it was on a billboard. Since it's done around Thanksgiving, it almost always turns cold then, and this yeaer was no exception although not as cold as it is now. 

You can buy a bike and bring it to the promotion or you can just donate.  I assume that if you donate, the money will go for a bike.  i've donated in the past, but it's way on the other end of town and I'm not often on that end of town, although I am now since I started skating again.  It only lasts over a weekend and since I skate on Saturdays, I stopped by and donated. 

The new Church I'm attending does an Angel Tree.  They get the Angels (not named) from the local school system that determines that these children are considered homeless.  Not sure how they make that determination.  When we moved into that school district, we had to allow someone to come to our house to verify that my daughter actually lived there. 

The previous Church I attended always do backpacks filled with things for kids in Appalachia.  Even without Helene, it's a very poverty stricken area. 

ETA:  I meant to ask, are bikes still as big a thing with kids these days?  Seems like most don't go outside to play like we used to. 

[Still Raining]

There are a lot of struggling families and also children without able families.  It is up to us to evaluate the sponsors for the drive.

Also some schools have school supply drives that teachers can give to kids.  It is a sad thing to know some kids can't afford backpacks 🥲

[Icegoddess]

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@Still Raining wrote:

There are a lot of struggling families and also children without able families.  It is up to us to evaluate the sponsors for the drive.

Also some schools have school supply drives that teachers can give to kids.  It is a sad thing to know some kids can't afford backpacks 🥲

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@Still RainingI edited my post, but it's not just backpacks.  They fill them with things but they always suggest some basics, not just toys. 

[shoesnbags]

ETA: I meant to ask, are bikes still as big a thing with kids these days? Seems like most don't go outside to play like we used to.

@Icegoddess 

I think that bikes are still popular with kids today, just based on the number of posts on Nextdoor dot com that are from families who have had bikes stolen!

[FancyPhillyshopper]

The percentage of children living in poverty in the USA overall is estimated to be at 16%. 

However, in some states children's poverty rates could be up to 25% of the state population (Mississippi, Louisiana, West Virginia, etc.).  Overall Native American children are at the highest rates, then, in order, Hispanic, then Black, White, and Asian.

Please be aware that over 70% of children in the USA live with both parents, so this is a family poverty issue.  Research shows that the higher the education level, the higher will be household income and wealth. Currently in the US, only approximately 35% of citizens now have a college degree (or higher). 

The federal poverty level is $31,200.00 per year for a family of four. That money has to cover home expenses, food, transportation, clothing, and so forth. The USA is one of the world's wealthiest nations, but our wealth distribution varies greatly, compared to other countries like Switzerland.

With inflation challenges these past years, many families are struggling with the basics.  Some fancier toys can be an unaffordable luxury.

If there was not a need, there would not be so many initiatives.  I think charities hope that people will feel more generous during the holiday season.

I am always reminded of Charles Dickens' A Christmas Carol, when Ebenezer Scrooge says the poor should go to workhouses or just die and "decrease the surplus population."

I spend a good amount on family during the holiday season, but I always make sure to donate to worthy causes.  The poor have been part of humanity since civilization began; perhaps someday in the far future there will be more opportunity.

[jlkz]

@mormel20 

In addition to all possibilities that others have posted, I would suggest you contact those responsible for the collection project....since each year you state that that thought revisits you.

You may be wonderfully surprised and if so, may want to become involved beyond " donating. " If you discover the opposite, you may want to notify authorities or TV news channels to investigate.

There are clothing and shoe collections boxes that serve the needy and others that take advantage of items for resale.  One such operation was run by someone in Norway or Sweden who became quite wealthy....memory lost now.

[Puzzle Piece]

I won't give to the toy charities.  No way.  I learned that the adults just feign pverty and economic hardship, et. but they just help themselves to as many chaiities as they can visit.  The itmes end up on ebay, swap meets, yard sales, etc.  Theivery is theivery.  

[Still Raining]

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@Icegoddess wrote:

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@Still Raining wrote:

There are a lot of struggling families and also children without able families.  It is up to us to evaluate the sponsors for the drive.

Also some schools have school supply drives that teachers can give to kids.  It is a sad thing to know some kids can't afford backpacks 🥲

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@Still RainingI edited my post, but it's not just backpacks.  They fill them with things but they always suggest some basics, not just toys. 

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Indeed!  Many items are needed.

But, just for me, backpacks tug on my heart.

Another thing to look into is kid's sports.  The coach in a GS's youth basketball bought shoes for two kids.  When we found out, we checked for rides for missing players too.  Could be sox, rides, water bottles.....  

[Carmie]

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@Puzzle Piece wrote:

I won't give to the toy charities.  No way.  I learned that the adults just feign pverty and economic hardship, et. but they just help themselves to as many chaiities as they can visit.  The itmes end up on ebay, swap meets, yard sales, etc.  Theivery is theivery.  

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There will always be fraud in any program where people donate to help people.

This is not the norm.  I would never not donate because I think somone might profit from my efforts.  Doing so, would punish an innocent child.

[chrystaltree]

You sound incredibly naive.  None of that has ever crossed my mind ever.  We just buy two very nice presents ever year.  One for a girl, one for a boy. Something all the kids want.  We only think about giving a couple of kids a nice Christmas.