Ok, first, let me say that I support our local schools and community etc. I don't mind buying a plate of cookies for $2 here and there. We also have a little community card thats good for discounts year long that we buy from the local football players (highschool) each year for $10. No big deal.

What bugs me is when people have their kids call and try to sell me something for a ridiculous price. Most recently, a call from a girl who's about 12 asking if I want to buy a gourmet cake, made by her mom, for $25 because she is earning money for some talent camp that she wants to go to. Uggghhh....I hate that. $25 is not cheap! I wouldn't even pay that much for a cake from the bakery on a normal day. I know we are in a small town and there are limited opportunites to raise money but good heck...do we have to support every body elses kids as well as ours? We put out about $1500.00 per year on our own kids for activites and day camps, pageants, ball camps etc. I can't afford to pay for everyone elses kids as well.

I am NOT against fund raising at all. I'm sure we'll be using it when my kids are a bit older and more involved as well. But you will NOT find me having my DK's calling around in a sweet little voice asking for TWENTY FIVE dollars for a stupid cake. Geeeezzzzzzeeeeeeee! Cut the cake into 10 slices and sale the slices for $2 a piece. I'd be happy to buy a slice. Have a whole big bakesale and let me come to it and pick out a few things to buy. But, don't corner me with a sweet little voice and beg me to buy a $25 cake. Cuz guess what? Tomorrow, some kids going to come by and try to sell me something else that is pretty much worthless for the same price.

Just downsize a little, and work a lot harder.

By Ginnyk on Friday, May 23, 2003 - 06:46 am:

When kids are selling stuff, I buy Girl Scout cookies, and projects for the Sunday School kids from my church. I have occasionally had my car washed at a car wash run by kids from the local Little League or Boys & Girls Club (especially since my car almost always needs washing). When my kids were in school I would buy stuff from a school/PTA sponsored project.

I would never buy anything or donate any money for a specific child's project which will benefit her only. Nor will I contribute to any fundraiser that is not for a recognized non-profit organization.

If this little girl wants to raise money to go to a special camp, she should think about babysitting, housecleaning, or similar stuff. And $25 for a cake! That would have to be some cake. The gourmet bakeries in downtown Philadelphia don't charge that much for most of their cakes.

By Mommyathome on Friday, May 23, 2003 - 02:30 pm:

Yeah Ginny...I could buy 2-3 or even 4 cakes from the bakery for $25.00.

So what, if I may ask, do you tell the kids when they call? Do you just tell them that you don't donate to individuals, only to groups?

I find it hard to tell them no. I need pointers!! lol

By Ginnyk on Friday, May 23, 2003 - 05:45 pm:

I'm sorry, I have a budget for charitable giving and I only make donations to specific non-profit organizations which are on my list. I'm sure you understand that I can't afford to give to everyone who asks, so I must be selective.

By Mommyathome on Friday, May 23, 2003 - 07:07 pm:

Perfect. Thanks