United Way Shaking You Down?

[John Bennett]

It's that time of year again. The United Way charitable organization is working with area employers to "encourage" their employees to "give" them money.

I joke. Of course the donations are volutary, but if your boss is like my boss, it sometimes doesn't seem that way. :)

Perhaps you are like me in that you don't want to support all the local organizations United Way supports.

Many people don't know this, but you can specify where your money goes and still meet your United Way goal. Simply make your check payable directly to whichever local organization you wish. This works for any organization your local UW collects for.

I encourage you to make your check payable to The Boy Scouts of America (http://www.scouting.org) this year.

Click here to find the name of your local council (http://www.scouting.org/nav/enter.jsp?c=lc)

Make your United Way check payable directly to the local BSA council.

You can do this with any local organization United Way supports.

[Tourmeister]

Howdy,

:tab I would encourage direct donations period. Most of the collection agencies skim a healthy percentage off the top of collected funds. This is especially true for the Highway Patrolman fund people that call incessantly. I met a guy that did this stuff for a living and he told me that often times they took as much as 70%!! So I always make my donations directly to the charity in question. Also, I like to check into their stats on how much of the donated money goes to the actual charitable cause as opposed to the overhead of running the charity. I support World Vision (http://www.worldvision.org/worldvision/master.nsf/), they only take 7 cents off the dollar for overhead! Also, I like their philosophy of teaching people to be self supportive rather than just teaching them to keep asking for handouts.

Adios,

[Shortline]

You haven't been shaken down, untill you have experienced the Combined Federal Campaign. All government employees, and military are "encouraged" to make regular payments from their paycheck. I really hated CFC season, when I was in the AF. I give to who I feel needs it, based on my personal feelings, and really didn't like the "just give to something" mentality of the CFC.
TR
El Centro CA

[Kidder]

I'm sorry, but the United Way is a financial business. 20% of the money they take in actually gets distributed. That's right, the other 80% does NOT. It pays for the NFL ads and other crap.

What do I do, you ask? Simple. I mentor second graders once a week.
Oh, and I raise money/gifts for the Arlington Mission and the Arlington Night Shelter. The stuff raised actually GOES to the cause. I know because I see it. If any of you want to make a difference, show up on Thanksgiving or Christmas day and serve the homeless.

It makes a difference you can SEE. It's all about the community, IMO. I have no idea where United Way goes.

I give. I give to what I know.

Peace.

[irondawg]

For the past 5 years I've been support Backpack for Kids and Secret Santa.

Backpack for Kids is where you pick a foster kid and put together a packback with stuff they need. Most of the foster kids get moved around a lot and usually don't have anything. The backpack gives them a sense of ownership and they have stuff of there own. Usual stuff like a blanket, slippers, pj's, walkman and other stuff depending on how old the kid is.

Secret Santa is where your business puts up a tree with ornaments of items kids ask for. These families are in need with kids. Without Secret Santa, they would not have a Christmas. Each person then takes an ornament and on it is the kids name/age and what they want. Most of these kids ask for cloths, stuff animals, or bikes. Once, one kid asked for some perfume for his mom!

These are good kids who need a helping hand. Plus, you are directly helping your community.

I was in the same boat when I was in the AF. Donate to United Way or pay the consequenses!!