They get a big ole NAAAAY from me, in fact, I get tired of receiving them in the mail. I guess these organizations assume that everybody is rich, and has extra money to donate to their "worthy cause", but I sure am not one of them. I find myself getting annoyed when I receive these solicitations for donations. I am not shy to call/email/snail mail them to tell them, nicely but firmly, to please stop sending me these solicitations, as I have no extra money to spare right now. I have NEVER given money to ANY organization, but it's amazing how your name and address get sold to seemingly every company that is looking for a handout.

I never have felt like I HAD to give them money, unlike a friend of mine. We were talking about it one day, and she said that she always sends them money, because she "feels bad", and feels like she HAS to give them something. I told her, "You shouldn't feel like you have to give ANY of these organizations any money; you do not owe them ANYTHING".

I also wonder too if the money is really used for what the organization CLAIMS it is going to be used for. We all know that there are some shady organizations out there that just receive donations for some big wig executive's new car/house/boat whatever. Another reason why I say, "HELL NO" to donations. It would be different if I were well off, and had money to burn, then I would research the organizations, and send money to the ones that I thought were legit. But in my current financial situation, it ain't happen'.

it depends on how they ask me, and how much i believe in the organization.

i send the ASPCA money every year, because i believe in what they do. i could do without the tons of junk mail they send me every year - i wish they'd spend the money from some of those mailings on animals, and not on crap i'm just going to throw away.

but since i DO see actual results from that organization that helps animals and people, i will continue to support them. but i prefer making the effort and going to their web site to donate, rather than responding to a piece of junk mail.

Anxiety said:

I wouldn't mind donating to the ASPCA, since I also believe they do a goodjob with rescuing animals, etc.

psychodelicide said:

they do a lot of good work for people too, including stuff like pet care classes and animal-assisted therapy.

Anxiety said:

I never knew that; that's awesome!

I donate to St. Jude's when I can.

The other day, someone called me from the Republican Party (supposedly), wanting me to donate money to go towards health care reform! I politely told him no, but he asked three more times till I told him, "I don't want to donate ANY money to it EVER."

dustysgirl said:

St. Jude's seems to be a pretty good organization, since they help sick kids. I can't believe that the person from the Republican Party, who was asking you for a donation, had the gaul to ask you 4 times if you wanted to donate money or not. Talk about not taking no for an answer.