Muscatine

I saw the statement the same way Chose did, so I asked the question.

If I offended you I apologize as that was not the intent. My intent was to ask why the parents had anything to do with this. As I read the post they were asking for hats & gloves for children that did not have any, nothing more nothing less.

I also read it the same way...that children with lousy parents shouldn't get anything.

I'm sorry I even posted the request. All I wanted to do was see if some of you had hats/mittens lying around that could be donated to kids who don't have any! I didn't intend this to turn into some kind of flame about charity CEO's or non-working parents or people who think they need new instead of used.

It breaks my heart to see little kids out in this kind of weather without proper clothing. I don't care if they've lost their mittens (I lose things too!) or if they  have lousy parents who'd rather spend the money on beer or drugs. Ultimately it's about the children...they don't pick their parents and they deserve to be warm, regardless.

So...to those of you who took the time to look for mittens and donate them to Dawn, thank you very much. I'm sure the need for such things is greater than most of us realize.

FYI..for those of you who sew, mittens are simple and fast to make and if you buy fleece remnants, very inexpensive. I've made several pair so far for about 50-65cents per pair. It would be a good project for sewers or knitters to pass those cold winter days after the holidays. :-)

Merry Christmas.

Linda

Kurious,

I am the one who started this subject in another direction. I am taking the time to gather used gloves and hats to donate for you. But I just also wanted to discuss other aspects that I have seen in charities, that has nothing to do with your original post. So don't be sorry you posted. A lot of posts go into a diffrent directions.8)

The one poster meant: give the needy children gifts, but make the unworking parents of these kids get out and do charitible work to pay for the gifts. Good idea in my opinion and it helps other needy kids. Pay in forward kinda thing.

To the other posters: So what if S.A. isn't as organized. I'll still dig around for a good bargain. The G.W. is more organized because it has more employees, because most of the money goes to pay them workers. If you have been all over and never found a good bargain, then you aren't taking the time to dig and look. Try the Rockford area. I use to go up there once a year and find name brand clothing for a good price.

Also, if G.W. employees find out that they are selling a name brand too cheap, they will increase the prices of the items. Some workers don't know name brands, but if a certain one does, they mark it a higher price. So I never tell the clerk about all the bargains I get. One example is years ago, before my grandmother died, she still wore the "pill box" hat to church. Hers were getting old and ratty, and you can't buy them anymore. I found some at G.W. in Musc. When I was paying for them, some one behind me exclaimed how they don't make then anymore and they are worth money. The next week, I went back in to see if I could find more. Oh, I found more....locked in the glass display case, with high prices on them. So who won here? Did my retired old Grandma on a limited income? Did I, who had little money to even afford the cheap hats? Nope, the G.W. workers did.

I too am sorry if I offended or veered off the original subject that was intended.  To set the record straight, I feel all children deserve the same consideration no matter how the parents are looked upon.

I do feel though, that some parents who have their hands out, should be held accountable (if possible) for their actions that put their children in the  situations of needing a  charity.  I think myself and others are tired of so many people abusing what the charities are intending.

If the parents of these children smoke, have tattoos, or drive big fancy vehicles, it raises a red flag for me and they should be investigated for child neglect.

Lastly, again I apologize for veering off the original subject, but know that anytime anyone starts a post, it may go down many paths before dying out.  That you cannot and should not dictate.

In any case Linda, your work with charities should be very much appreciated.