Another thought on charitable donations - Page 2

monster · 11-12-2008, 09:31 PM

beest adopted me an elephant for our Ivory wedding anniversary. aaaaw. but that was an incredibly well-thought out gift rather than a cop-out. Which is what I generally believe such gifts to be, unless that charity is the pet project of that person and they want for nothing material.

On a related note, i got annoyed at a commercial for speedway gas stations this evening: "Buy everyone on your list a speedway gas card -everyone needs gas, it's the gift everyone will love...." or some such bullshit. Wait, what is the point of this gift thing again? shall we all swap speedway cards? What do we get for the non-drivers? bogroll?(TP) -everyone needs that too.....

lumberjim · 11-12-2008, 09:34 PM

lets all just exchange $20 bills. they're like gift cards you can use at any store.

HungLikeJesus · 11-12-2008, 09:37 PM

That would be just like that scene in Donnie Brasco.

smoothmoniker · 11-12-2008, 10:55 PM

Giving a gift is rarely about the thing itself, it's a way of reaffirming the common ground and understanding between the people involved. That's why the best gifts are those that show real understanding of the receiver by the giver.

For some of our friends, a donation in their name is perfect way of affirming that connection. For others, we would give something else.

xoxoxoBruce · 11-12-2008, 11:31 PM

I agree, it would depend a lot on the people, and charity, involved. What you're really giving them is a tax deduction. Certainly not a catch all gift for everyone on your list.

For my old friend the dog catcher, I put money on her account at the vets. It's always welcome and greatly appreciated.

Cloud · 11-12-2008, 11:38 PM

I'd rather have a stick blender.

Seriously, good gift giving is an art, involving matching with the donee's interests, lifestyle, economic means, and the joy of giving and receiving.

If a charitable donation, or any other gift, is just done because you don't know what else to give that person, and the person hasn't asked for it or indicated an interest--it's a poorly chosen gift.

skysidhe · 11-13-2008, 09:42 AM

I wanted to send items to the military men but when I checked out the performance quota on what percentage actually got there I changed my mind.

I think donating to local shelters animal and human alike is a good thing.

A coworker hands out blankets in the winter. I think that is awesome.

sweetwater · 11-13-2008, 09:50 AM

I hope some of the gifts I have been given over the years were convenient re-gifts or thoughtless purchases made simply to have something to hand over. If I thought that they really thought I'd actually want or like those things...

Shawnee123 · 11-13-2008, 09:50 AM

My brother has given to Nothing But Nets in others' names. I think it's a wonderful thing to do. He's a sports fanatic, and read about the program in Sports Illustrated, and he wanted to do something.

Sundae · 11-13-2008, 10:06 AM

I chose "Tacky copout" but that's far harsher than I really feel.
I think it really works in some situations and with some people.

No-one I know really has everything. Apart from my brother, and it's not that he's rich, just that he has simple needs that he happily fulfills. Even if I had unlimited money it would be hard to work out what to buy him, but I like the challenge. I wouldn't make a donation in his name because it just wouldn't feel right - it would feel like I was saying, "Here, I did this because you're too mean to do it yourself!"

On the other hand, when I worked for the NHS the HR department decided to send out an email instead of sending Christmas cards. And the money they saved doing that was used to purchase a goat for a family in Africa. I thought that was a wonderful and elegant way of doing it.

Shawnee123 · 11-13-2008, 12:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sundae Girl

~snip~On the other hand, when I worked for the NHS the HR department decided to send out an email instead of sending Christmas cards. And the money they saved doing that was used to purchase a goat for a family in Grifftopia. I thought that was a wonderful and elegant way of doing it.

Fixed it for ya.

Perry Winkle · 11-13-2008, 07:32 PM

I don't believe in giving to charities. If I want to express my philanthropy I'll do something with my own hands or give money directly to those in need. I don't want 90% of my contribution going to fund some non-profit organization. I want to HELP.

I would be incredibly offended if someone donated in my name. I would never donate in another person's name.

classicman · 11-13-2008, 07:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Perry Winkle

I don't want 90% of my contribution going to fund some non-profit organization. I want to HELP.

Yup, You need to be careful where you donate your money.

sweetwater · 11-13-2008, 11:39 AM

I wonder if there is any relationship between men and women and how they voted concerning the charitable donation gift idea. I don't know if some of the Cellar members who voted have... errr, members or not, so I can't tell. Anyone else?

glatt · 11-13-2008, 11:51 AM

I've done it for my dad, but he asked me to.

Kiva. It's actually a really cool idea, since you will ideally get your money back.

View Poll Results: What do you think of charitable giving in someone else's name as a gift?
Just fine, I do it for a variety of people	6	28.57%
It's fine once in awhile but not consistently	10	47.62%
Done it before but no inclined to do it again	0	0%
Tacky copout	5	23.81%
Voters: 21. You may not vote on this poll

11-12-2008, 09:31 PM	#1
monster I hear them call the tide Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Perpetual Chaos Posts: 30,852	beest adopted me an elephant for our Ivory wedding anniversary. aaaaw. but that was an incredibly well-thought out gift rather than a cop-out. Which is what I generally believe such gifts to be, unless that charity is the pet project of that person and they want for nothing material. On a related note, i got annoyed at a commercial for speedway gas stations this evening: "Buy everyone on your list a speedway gas card -everyone needs gas, it's the gift everyone will love...." or some such bullshit. Wait, what is the point of this gift thing again? shall we all swap speedway cards? What do we get for the non-drivers? bogroll?(TP) -everyone needs that too..... __________________ The most difficult thing is the decision to act, the rest is merely tenacity Amelia Earhart

11-12-2008, 09:34 PM	#2
lumberjim I can hear my ears Join Date: Oct 2003 Posts: 25,571	lets all just exchange $20 bills. they're like gift cards you can use at any store. __________________ This body holding me reminds me of my own mortality Embrace this moment, remember We are eternal, all this pain is an illusion ~MJKeenan

11-12-2008, 09:37 PM	#3
HungLikeJesus Only looks like a disaster tourist Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: above 7,000 feet Posts: 7,208	That would be just like that scene in Donnie Brasco. __________________ Keep Your Bodies Off My Lawn SteveDallas's Random Thread Picker.

11-12-2008, 10:55 PM	#4
smoothmoniker to live and die in LA Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Los Angeles Posts: 2,090	Giving a gift is rarely about the thing itself, it's a way of reaffirming the common ground and understanding between the people involved. That's why the best gifts are those that show real understanding of the receiver by the giver. For some of our friends, a donation in their name is perfect way of affirming that connection. For others, we would give something else. __________________ to live and die in LA

11-12-2008, 11:31 PM	#5
xoxoxoBruce The future is unwritten Join Date: Oct 2002 Posts: 71,105	I agree, it would depend a lot on the people, and charity, involved. What you're really giving them is a tax deduction. Certainly not a catch all gift for everyone on your list. For my old friend the dog catcher, I put money on her account at the vets. It's always welcome and greatly appreciated. __________________ The descent of man ~ Nixon, Friedman, Reagan, Trump.

11-12-2008, 11:38 PM	#6
Cloud ... Join Date: Feb 2007 Posts: 8,360	I'd rather have a stick blender. Seriously, good gift giving is an art, involving matching with the donee's interests, lifestyle, economic means, and the joy of giving and receiving. If a charitable donation, or any other gift, is just done because you don't know what else to give that person, and the person hasn't asked for it or indicated an interest--it's a poorly chosen gift. __________________ "Guard your honor. Let your reputation fall where it will. And outlive the bastards!"

11-13-2008, 09:42 AM	#7
skysidhe ~~Life is either a daring adventure or nothing.~~ Join Date: Apr 2006 Posts: 6,828	I wanted to send items to the military men but when I checked out the performance quota on what percentage actually got there I changed my mind. I think donating to local shelters animal and human alike is a good thing. A coworker hands out blankets in the winter. I think that is awesome.

11-13-2008, 09:50 AM	#8
sweetwater lives inside a Mobius strip Join Date: Dec 2007 Posts: 1,120	I hope some of the gifts I have been given over the years were convenient re-gifts or thoughtless purchases made simply to have something to hand over. If I thought that they really thought I'd actually want or like those things... __________________ I knew I shoulda taken that left turn at Albuquerque! - Bugs Bunny

11-13-2008, 09:50 AM	#9
Shawnee123 Why, you're a regular Alfred E Einstein, ain't ya? Join Date: Jun 2006 Posts: 21,206	My brother has given to Nothing But Nets in others' names. I think it's a wonderful thing to do. He's a sports fanatic, and read about the program in Sports Illustrated, and he wanted to do something. __________________ A word to the wise ain't necessary - it's the stupid ones who need the advice. --Bill Cosby

11-13-2008, 10:06 AM	#10
Sundae polaroid of perfection Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: West Yorkshire Posts: 24,185	I chose "Tacky copout" but that's far harsher than I really feel. I think it really works in some situations and with some people. No-one I know really has everything. Apart from my brother, and it's not that he's rich, just that he has simple needs that he happily fulfills. Even if I had unlimited money it would be hard to work out what to buy him, but I like the challenge. I wouldn't make a donation in his name because it just wouldn't feel right - it would feel like I was saying, "Here, I did this because you're too mean to do it yourself!" On the other hand, when I worked for the NHS the HR department decided to send out an email instead of sending Christmas cards. And the money they saved doing that was used to purchase a goat for a family in Africa. I thought that was a wonderful and elegant way of doing it.

11-13-2008, 07:32 PM	#12
Perry Winkle Esnohplad Semaj Ton Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: A little south of sanity Posts: 2,259	I don't believe in giving to charities. If I want to express my philanthropy I'll do something with my own hands or give money directly to those in need. I don't want 90% of my contribution going to fund some non-profit organization. I want to HELP. I would be incredibly offended if someone donated in my name. I would never donate in another person's name.

11-13-2008, 11:39 AM	#14
sweetwater lives inside a Mobius strip Join Date: Dec 2007 Posts: 1,120	I wonder if there is any relationship between men and women and how they voted concerning the charitable donation gift idea. I don't know if some of the Cellar members who voted have... errr, members or not, so I can't tell. Anyone else? __________________ I knew I shoulda taken that left turn at Albuquerque! - Bugs Bunny

11-13-2008, 11:51 AM	#15
glatt ™ Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Arlington, VA Posts: 27,717	I've done it for my dad, but he asked me to. Kiva. It's actually a really cool idea, since you will ideally get your money back.

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