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We donate regularly to various charities and receive several begging letters from others every week, and have had as many as five on the same day. I suppose our name and address has been widely circulated. The ones which really make me angry are those which send out 'free gifts' which our (and your) donations have paid for, or like the letter which arrived this morning, enclosing actual coins. The envelope bore the message: 'Please use the pennies inside to help us bring Peace and Joy to Africa's poorest children'. Short of taking them down to our Oxfam shop I wasn't sure how else I could comply with the request. I decided to mark the envelope 'Return to Sender' so that they could use the pennies more wisely, but don't hold out much hope.
In the past we have received a small blanket, a pair of towelling slippers, an umbrella, and a mug, none of which we wanted so took to a charity shop. Writing letters to these charities and making lengthy phonecalls explaining that we think these practices waste valuable donations seems to have no effect at all. It must cost so much to process one of these ridiculous campaigns - we certainly aren't the only household to receive such letters. How dare these people waste precious funds while the suffering goes on.
Rant over - I just had to get it off my chest!
4 days ago
11 comments:
My feelings exactly Heather. When this has happened to me in the past I have written a letter and cancelled my Direct Debit. Not that it seems to have changed their policies!
Our experience has been precisely this. We could have run a stall at a fete somewhere with the free gifts we've had over a period of time. Maybe that's what we should do...
It really is defeating the object isn't it? I used to get letters like that but since I returned every one to sender I no longer get them.
According to the charities a) it is cost effective and b) gifts make people feel guilty and therfore more likely to donate. I agree with you though, it makes me angry and seems so obviously counterproductive.....
Agree and while we are into moan mode, why do we have to have so many cold calls from foreign parts. I belong the telephone preference service but apparently it can't deal with foreign calls. When the phone rings (usually at lunch time or when I am a long way from the phone) I have to remove my hearing aid and get to the phone - only to find it is a voice I can't understand.
It's just another sign of 'progress' Pat. We seem to have 'thrown the baby out with the bath water', as the old saying goes.
These mailings infuriate me too Heather,it seems so wasteful and I object to being blackmailed emotionally if that is their purpose.
I agree too. These companies are employed by the carities and come up with all sorts of but often thoughtless ways to get money. I give to charities when and how I want.
xxx
I hope they don't start that over here, we only get the letters and they only arrive around once a year, that way you're more likely to take notice.
I noticed my father-in-law received a little dog ornament from the Guide Dogs recently and I have seen the same arrive at the house next door. Maybe it is a way pointing out that these people give and I don't!
In this world of blatant consumerism and waste it makes me really cross. Now I am ranting - sorry it is something that really annoys me.
I do so agree with you Heather. there's a lot of money being wasted by some of these charities. I agree with Ro, if we received the odd letter we might take more notice.
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