'Tis the Season for Giving

Here's something I don't think I've talked about here on the little ol' blog....

I almost always say "no thanks" when asked to donate a dollar at the checkout register. 

Cruel much?  I think not. 

See, I used to work for a very large business in our community and every year we were required to attend a really sad viewing of the promotional material for a popular charity.  Are you hearing the Sarah McLachlan tune in your head yet?  The thing is, this business wanted entire departments of employees to sign a form allotting a donation each payday.  And, if memory serves, each department with 100% of employees participating got an incentive in some form or other.  Maybe it was just bragging rights, I can't remember. 

As a grown-up American, I shouldn't have to feel bullied/pressured into making a donation or risk looking like the scrooge of my department.  Back in my younger days, I signed that allotment like many of my coworkers.  Now, I just say no and ignore the shocked expression on the cashiers face.  I feel pretty confident saying that I am not the only person holding onto my dollar.

It's not that I don't think the money is going to a worthy cause.  I'm sure someone somewhere would benefit.  But, I'm just not going to part with my dollar because I get to put my name on that little balloon/shamrock/house and have it plastered up for the world to see.  It is just not going to happen.

And, here's why.  We were in Paducah over the weekend and had to make a trip to Walmart, specifically the service desk.  As we waited in line, I read the signage.  Boy was I surprised to read that, on average, Walmart donates a million dollars a day.  A MILLION dollars a day.  Honestly, my first thought was, if Walmart can donate that kind of money, why do they keep raising prices.  My second thought was, if Walmart can donate that kind of money, I should never be asked to donate my dollar at the register.  Anyone noticed this sign in the Madisonville store?

I"m not a scrooge all of the time, and I do make an exception for certain types of donation requests.  I am much more likely to give when  I'm asked to donate a non-perishable food, school supply, or toy when I'm at the checkout.  And I really enjoy shopping for food donation drives.  I don't know why, but knowing that the item is intended for a specific group is more personal to me and I feel good about supporting it.  Maybe, and I'm sure there are a lot of folks who would agree, I'm just crazy.

Now, if you've made it all the way through this post and are still reading, I want to pass along a couple feel good donation drives that I whole heartedly approve of! 

I am happy to say that McCay Chiropractic is hosting it's second annual donation drive for the Fisher House at Fort Campbell.  I like this for two very important reasons.  First, Casey is stationed out of Fort Campbell.  Second, the Fisher House is a lot like a Ronald McDonald House for military families.  It's a home away from home when your loved one is receiving treatment at a military facility/hospital. 

I'm also much more likely to part with my dollar if the store (or in this case, person) is willing to match it.  So, when I read that Beard of Beard and Pigtails is matching donations dollar for dollar, I knew I'd have to give to his cause.  And if you're not reading Beard and Pigtails, you are just missing out.

In the end, please don't let my views stop you from donating the next time you get the chance to autograph one of those little papers.  But, maybe stop and think about where your money is heading and consider sending that dollar to a local cause instead of a national one.