Christmas giving

[CarolAnn]

There's something about the holiday season that seems to make people a bit softer hearted - and that can be good as long as it doesn't also make them softer headed!

I just received an email I've gotten several other years about someone whose car mysteriously wouldn't start - then they saw the woman weeping in the snow. She was stranded with no money and a car full of hungry children. After the person helped her, his car started and he was sure it was God's way of using him to be an angel and to help someone who has prayed for help.

Those stories always tug at the heart strings . . . until you've experienced being scammed by a professional using a story like that!

So - if you're approached this Christmas season by someone in need, by all means, help them if you can, but use your head as well as your heart!

~ ~ ~

One of our vendors brought the whole office a fancy and expensive spread yesterday - more than we could possibly eat! We boxed up more than half of it and one of the guys took it to a church that feeds homeless people. Now THAT was a feast to be thankful for! ;D

[Dawgus]

I've recieved that same email several times, along with many others. It's pathetic how people use such stories to scam people out of money. I fell for one similar in real life about 15 years ago. I was sitting in my truck waiting for my girlfriend to get out of work and was approached by a clean cut, well dressed man. He told me that he was in from out of town, had lost his wallet, and was out of gas. Without hesitating, I handed him a 10. Well.....a few days later, I was in the same spot waiting for my girlfriend again, and who walks up to my truck but the same guy with the same story. I seriously thought I was gonna drag his sorry *** right through the window. All details aside, I think he ran 6 blocks before turning to make sure I wasn't still behind him. ;D

I really wish that more people had the giving spirit all year round and not just at Christmas.We try to here at home as much as possible. We are by no means rich or well off, but we do something each month for a different charity of some kind. It's not much, but we always make an effort. In the last few months we've donated pet food to the local independant Humane Society, clothing and toys to the homeless shelter, and this month we are sending packages to soldiers in Iraq. This one is just cheap basic things that they need, like disposable razors, basic toiletries, candy etc. (http://www.ryanrust.com/AdoptAMarine.html if anyone is interested) We rarely spend more than $20, and even though it's not much, it makes a difference to somebody...and thats what it's all about.

[GoodDaughter]

I can't quote the source, but I've heard a few times lately that those with lower incomes tend to give more to charities, both %-wise and time-wise. I can't give a lot at one time either, but I do try to give at least a few dollars, maybe 10 or 20 at the most.

[RocketMan]

I try to give an extra tip when I can to folks who are working their butts off at jobs where you know they aren't making a lot of money, like the person who maybe carries your groceries out to the car, or the waitress at the diner.