do you sponsor a family or child for xmas?

[Marilyn. 340]

one year we donated some toys to a toy drive, hope to do that again this year...

[one...two...tree 2,762]

I'd like for us as a family help out another family in some way. I'm looking into different local charities and volunteer organizations.

[Pinocchio Liberal 268]

i'm currently sponsoring the makers of wild turkey 101 and the local egg nog makers.

Charles thats funny as he..ll

[William33 110]

I'd like for us as a family help out another family in some way. I'm looking into different local charities and volunteer organizations.

When I worked for the USG, they had an annual campaign for charities. That request came with a 100+ page booklet, with the financial breakdown of each charity, to include "administrative costs".

Some of these organizations had up to 50% in administrative costs...#######? Some charity manager was raking it in......

Anyway, the point is, the United Way is an excellent organization that reaches out to those that need it most (Children and Families).

[Ling Ling 22]

I stand outside in the cold, ringing the bell for the Salvation Army.

The pay is really #######, but the tips are great.

[Pinocchio Liberal 268]

I stand outside in the cold, ringing the bell for the Salvation Army.

The pay is really #######, but the tips are great.

Dippin the bucket?

[William33 110]

I stand outside in the cold, ringing the bell for the Salvation Army.

The pay is really #######, but the tips are great.

Given that this is volunteer work, aren't you supposed to pour those proceeds into the bucket?

[jundp 191]

I'd like for us as a family help out another family in some way. I'm looking into different local charities and volunteer organizations.

I agree with William on the administrative "costs" for some of these charities. That's why I love being affiliated with St. Vincent de Paul Society. Especially at Christmas we get donated gas to run the trucks, donated boxes to fill, the drivers donate their time, etc. Plus, SVdP doesn't discriminate. Period. People need help, they get help.

[Ling Ling 22]

I stand outside in the cold, ringing the bell for the Salvation Army.

The pay is really #######, but the tips are great.

Dippin the bucket?

Note the smiley...the above is what we refer to as humor.

See, the whole purpose of ringing the bell is to get people to put money into the bucket.

I have no idea if the people who ring the bells get paid or not.

Nobody actually tips the bell ringer.

It's just a joke, not a real story.

Geez, I really hate when I have to explain jokes.

[William33 110]

I stand outside in the cold, ringing the bell for the Salvation Army.

The pay is really #######, but the tips are great.

Dippin the bucket?

Note the smiley...the above is what we refer to as humor.

See, the whole purpose of ringing the bell is to get people to put money into the bucket.

I have no idea if the people who ring the bells get paid or not.

Nobody actually tips the bell ringer.

It's just a joke, not a real story.

Geez, I really hate when I have to explain jokes.

I don't find charity to be amusing at all, especially with the current economy.

[jundp 191]

The people who ring the bells are volunteers. Though people who work at Salvation Army stores and shelters often do get paid. The Salvation Army is a pretty good charity, IMO.

[Marilyn. 340]

my mom works at a Salvation Army thrift store in Canada and she gets paid... they do have volunteers that work there too though...

[Ling Ling 22]

I stand outside in the cold, ringing the bell for the Salvation Army.

The pay is really #######, but the tips are great.

Dippin the bucket?

Note the smiley...the above is what we refer to as humor.

See, the whole purpose of ringing the bell is to get people to put money into the bucket.

I have no idea if the people who ring the bells get paid or not.

Nobody actually tips the bell ringer.

It's just a joke, not a real story.

Geez, I really hate when I have to explain jokes.

I don't find charity to be amusing at all, especially with the current economy.

William, you won't be amused by somethings at sometimes. That's life.

It was a joke told to me by an executive at the Salvation Army, when I was helping

them put together a video that they email to corporate executives around the country,

explaining their history, and why they need assistance beyond the coins in the bucket.

I do my part in charity, and I usually don't talk about it.

Sorry if my humor offended you. That wasn't the intention. If it's funny enough for SA,

it's funny enough for me.

[William33 110]

I stand outside in the cold, ringing the bell for the Salvation Army.

The pay is really #######, but the tips are great.

Dippin the bucket?

Note the smiley...the above is what we refer to as humor.

See, the whole purpose of ringing the bell is to get people to put money into the bucket.

I have no idea if the people who ring the bells get paid or not.

Nobody actually tips the bell ringer.

It's just a joke, not a real story.

Geez, I really hate when I have to explain jokes.

I don't find charity to be amusing at all, especially with the current economy.

William, you won't be amused by somethings at sometimes. That's life.

It was a joke told to me by an executive at the Salvation Army, when I was helping

them put together a video that they email to corporate executives around the country,

explaining their history, and why they need assistance beyond the coins in the bucket.

I do my part in charity, and I usually don't talk about it.

Sorry if my humor offended you. That wasn't the intention. If it's funny enough for SA,

it's funny enough for me.

Well, the highlighted may have helped the joke a bit. Although I use and benefit from humor everyday, I am very sympathetic to those in need. I will lighten up on that.

Thanks for the explanation.

[britty 1]

I don't sponsor a child or family but I do give to the local dog's home to make sure the puppies have a nice Christmas !! I also help with the company drive to send care packages to the troops in Iraq. We just finished sending out about 800 boxes.