For the last few years, I have participated in The Canadian Cancer Society’s Relay for Life. I have also participated in CCS’s Great Ride ‘n’ Stride, the MS Society of Canada’s Super Cities Walk for MS, and the Cheerios Heart & Stroke Mother Daughter Walk. I bring my pledge sheets into work and my coworkers are always very generous and very supportive. I am fortunate to work with such a great group of people. Sometimes they will even ask me, “Hey! When’s your next walk?”
But I know that some people don’t like asking for money, and so they avoid getting involved. And I have to wonder if the people that I am always asking to sponsor me are sick and tired of me doing it. After all, we all get plagued with solicitous phone calls, mail and emails on a near-daily basis.
The fundraisers I participate in are all for a good cause, there is no doubt about that. But has it gone too far? As spring approaches, watch for how many brochures, posters, and pledge forms you see for various walks and runs. It’s a little overwhelming when you stop and take a good look around.
I’ve decided to put all of my efforts towards the fight to find a cure for cancer. It is a disease that is spreading far too rapidly, and I, for one, want to be a part of finding a solution.
How do you feel about fundraising? Are you annoyed when someone asks you for a pledge? Or do you freely sponsor participants for every cause out there?
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Pain makes man think. Thought makes man wise. Wisdom makes life endurable. - John Patrick
6 comments:
I'm one of those people who will avoid participating in an event because I hate asking for pledges - something in my character I guess. I've always hated it - since I was a young child they'd make us sell mugs, and notepaper fridge-magnets, and pizzas and pledges for school and youth group fundraisers - I hated doing then, and I still hate it now. I find it embarrasing. I know that's dumb, but it is what it is. Not that I think fundraising is wrong, but I feel like co-workers feel cornered and are uncomfortable saying no, even if they really don't have the extra cash.
This may sound dumb, but in my opinion the best way to fight cancer (or any other disease) is to keep active, eat well, and have a stress reducing strategy that works for you. So I choose to lead by example, not that I'm perfect at any of it - but people see the diet and lifestyle choices I make, and I think it makes an impact on their choices - at least makes them think about it a little. That's why I wear my GO VEGGIE button - to have that impact on people in passing! I love cacthing people eyeballing that thing!
I agree with Lindsay. We can't possibly give to everyone who asks, so pick what's important to you. That's really hard though!
I had previously said that I would give to the CNIB because of my late Grandma Haskell or the Kidney Foundation because of Uncle Dale. Cancer has now impacted our family quite a bit so you want to support that. And now with being a parent I want to support a lot of children's charities. I just have to remember that I still work for the Salvation Army and still need to feed my own family too.
I once had a guy come to my door and asked for money for a program to get teens off drugs. He had an ID badge and everything. I wrote him a cheque which was immediately cashed but I never got a tax receipt or the t-shirt I was promised for making the donation. I was totally scammed. So now I only give to organized events like the Relay for Life so I know my money is going to the right place.
How frustrating that someone would take the pain of others to steal money.
Krista, I was definitely thinking of you while I was writing this post. My comment to your comment - even super healthy people get cancer.....
As someone who has little extra cash to spare, I'm finding it much easier to concentrate on one effort instead of several. I no longer feel guilty when I tell another organization that I can't give them any money.
Yeah, super healthy people get cancer too, but that's no excuse for not putting an effort into maintaining your health. Prevention is our first line of defense, and we all know what we need to do.
Definitely, pick a cause and go with it guilt free.
i usually contribute to most people's fundraising events, if i can swing it. I give to several charities and i like to do that. I give to local charities, Canadian charities and international ones as well - like a 'radius' of giving. There are things we can do that don't cost anything -- like donating your old phones books, clothes and Zehrs tapes to the self help food bank -- or giving your old clothes the Community Living Ontario when they call, or giving your old coats to the coat drive every winter. . It also costs little to give some toiletries to the homeless shelter, or to call the women's shelter to see what they need.
I use to give to what ever my heart told me to at the time. But since I have been a professional fundraiser in my past I do understand how today more and more we are hounded to help this organization or that one or the 100's out there.
So I agree we must pick one and go for it. I am a supporter of the Cancer society events because it has deeply effected our family.
I agree a healthier lifestyle does help, but just about everything we do, breathe, eat, gives us cancer these days.
I never give to people over the phone or at the door since I do know about the many scams out there. The biggest one out there are the help a kid get off drugs or for drug awareness programs. It is the old saying buyer be aware, well donators need to be very aware. If you are not sure trust your gut. If you feel inclined go for it, but for me I think I will just stick to one organization.
Follow your heart and it will tell ya what you are to do in regards to fundraising
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