Bit of a rant.

[user 14190]

Have been doing a bit of re-organisation in our lives with possessions and items that are not being used, trying to move them to someone who could possibly benefit and thinking of all the people on the North Coast that have lost everything rang one of the bigger charities in Nowra to see if they were interested in a 4 foot round American Oak table in very good condition, 4 Ikea wooden lounge type chairs and a big bean bag that has not really been used, plus a few smaller items.

Yes was the answer we will take them gladly if in good condition, so we load it all up and drive the 25 kms to town only to be told when we get there, sorry we are not taking furniture at this time, did not want any of it, never even bothered to have a look, so a LOT annoyed and on to another at the other end of town, yes we will take it, started to unload, one of them looked at one of the chairs and stated 'these have been used and have marks on them we cannot accept them'.

We had made seat covers for them and they had a small area (about 50mm round) of what I would assume was dry sweat on the back of them that went through the cover years ago and on to the material underneath, have sat on worse seats at Government Offices and places open to the public. So headed towards home and went via the recyclers where he was happy to take them and had a price on them before we got back in the car, so instead of about 50km round trip it ended up closer to 80 kms and much annoyance.

So I have learnt today that anything that I want to get rid of in the future will go to the recyclers as the Op shops seem to have become very picky and the recyclers is closer. I know it is a long way from Nowra to where the items may be needed, but I thought we were doing the right thing in offering and making the phone call first.

Graham

 

[StoneTheCrows]

I hear you 2la

If it is not brand new, the charities don't generally touch it. (Must be a reason - just can't figure out what it could be)
However if they told you they would then said no - that sucks again.

I could not give away over 60 almost brand new books - all the latest bestsellers.
An eBay savvy friend offered to sell them and I made a few hundred bucks.

I am sure the people that need stuff would gladly accept but with out the delivery mechanism basically worthless.

 

[madtuna]

Many charities stopped being charities eons ago. Most now are just businesses using their charity tax status to rake in more money and prey on human emotions.

I detest those **** ads on tv every 20 minutes asking for money to help poor Faruk find somewhere to sleep or save some koala before it's gets scrunched by a car.

If I donate $10 they'll send me a stuffed koala and make me feel good inside.
Of that $10, $9.00 goes to administration of the charity, the made in china stuffed koala probably cost 50 cents each cause they buy them by the truck load, the other 50 cents goes to help pay for the damn ad and meanwhile 4 more koalas got scrunched by cars.

Of the $10 I sent poor Faruk, well he never slept in the subway to begin with. He's either a child actor with a hefty trust account or his shifty dad has a shiny new Mercedes. Same again, $9.00 pays for administration of the charity, 50 cents into the pool to pay for the ad, the other 50 cents went into the pool to buy the warlord of Faruks country some new AK 47 knock-offs from China or Turkey.

I hate to say it, but I wont be forking out in a hurry to help poor Annie ditch her little yellow gumboots and get her into a shiny new pair of Barter Scouts.

 

[xcvator]

There's a hell of a lot of "charity shops" that are actually franchises getting free labour from volunteers :N:

 

[Frankdonovan121]

I see very little, if any, real difference between the worst of capitalism and the worst of charities; both use the money they gain through unfair insider type trading to advertise themselves to garner more advantage for more access to more opportunities to take money.

 

[user 14190]

I think I was upset that I had wasted the extra fuel to go to town thinking after making the phone calls that I was doing the right thing as our recyclers I am sure are privately owned. I could have just did the 10kms round trip and taken it to the recyclers. Wife wanted to sell, but all we have had in the past is 'can you deliver' for something that is worth only a few dollars. :argh: :argh: :argh: MadTuna, you are spot on with what you say, agree 100%

Graham

 

[Gem in I]

If I donate $10 they'll send me a stuffed koala and make me feel good inside.

Take it back if it's stuffed!
donation you can't!

My daughter is a volunteer for one mob by choice originally for uni application reference, now continues to do it even after it served it's purpose because she has a little free time and she likes to interact with humans.

Daughter was sold a $10 leather wallet by the manager (gift for me) and I still have it,in all it's vinyl glory because it's a donation. :lol: :lol:

I have to have faith some charities are not for profit and doing an exceptional job but poor mustaffa can't get to school in under 5 hours i'm all for donating a whip.

 

[LONEWOLF]

I stopped donating to charities after the Tsunami... All they did was bank the lot and spent minimal on the Ground where it was needed most... Have a look at some of these co called charities based at shopping centres, read the fine print, and believe me,its that fine you need a magnifying glass to read it... 85% goes to admin and the 'collectors' are paid a good rate to collect... I only donate to 1 or 2 organisations now... Im very wary of some... And ONLY Australian charities...

If you do have any thing you want to donate, hang on to it as it WILL be needed after these fires are out...

LW...

 

[PabloP]

I do a lot of volunteer work for a charity that started as a club, and I don't begrudge them the time at all. What they are trying to do in most cases is to improve the lives of thousands of others, and while I may frown at some of their costs/expenses a bit at times, I know that what they are achieving is worth the time and effort that I contribute. No fat cats in the small organisation and generally they watch every cent that gets spent.

Besides, the physical and mental health benefits to me from the activity/exercise, is immeasureable.

Rob P

 

[Gem in I]

A great idea for this LW would be kerbside donation pick up day/s run by council/state as long as it's not broken items. like regular kerbside council run days.

I mean the federal and state pollies do like to announce funding $$$ in times like this but the average joe can't see the progress, nor sometimes the victims as well. Of course a lot of kerbside stuff would be stolen but a hell of a lot would reach where it's supposed to go.

For some who aren't familiar with kerbside collection days i'm referring to household clutter pickup not regular bin service.

 

[LONEWOLF]

Better still Gem in I, perhaps dropping good useable stuff off to the SES or RFS or Council depo, as so much stuff is picked up by those who keep items for themselves or sell it on Gumtree...

Something will happen soon for Donations to the Fire Victims... I would even load a trailer full of stuff and actually visit an area and hand it out to someone in need...

LW...

 

[Gem in I]

Sold ma truck 8.( 8.(
gimme 1 or 2 days I will pm. sounds great.

 

[Chiron52]

Just had a call from the Cancer Council.
"Thank you for your regular monthly donation.
Your contribution helps us with finding cures and better treatment for sufferers."
His spiel went on for another 10 minutes. I was driving at the time and I couldn't get a word in edgeways.
Finally he got to the obvious point he was trying to make -
"Could you increase your donation by another $10 or $20 a month? Just think how many people that could help?"
Me - "Sorry mate, I'm a pensioner and I can't afford any more at this time."
"How about $5 extra a month?"
Me - "Nah, sorry mate not at this time."
"What about just $2 more a week?"
Me - (FFS) - "No mate, no can do. Thanks for your call anyway. Bye."
"Oh .... OK then .... Enjoy the rest of your day." (He sounded very disappointed)

NOTE: Cancer council - like many charities these days, use a private company to raise cash.
If you start making regular donations, the first 3 months of donations go to the private company, not to the Cancer Council.
(This was explained to me by the collection company itself when I first started making donations - as they must do by law)
I will be stopping my regular CC donation and my hard earned will go to another worthy charity.
I can't help every worthy cause but I will spread what little I can afford to the benefit of many.
ALSO - I always give something to the Salvos. They are always there helping where/when needed. :Y:

 

[nucopia]

The digger and I sometimes volunteer at the local seventh day adventist run food bank on Thursdays.
Only those with a centre link blue card can buy ... disability uneployed aged pensioners etc
They always have a large variety of items available..Caned food packaged items lots of breads and fruit and veg.
All of it is donated By coles woolies and other retail outlets and most are near the use by date but still viable and nutritious , plus
Good value @ $10 per pension card. What people take home is easily over $100 in value if not more.

 

[Guest]

The digger and I sometimes volunteer at the local seventh day adventist run food bank on Thursdays.
Only those with a centre link blue card can buy ... disability uneployed aged pensioners etc
They always have a large variety of items available..Caned food packaged items lots of breads and fruit and veg.
All of it is donated By coles woolies and other retail outlets and most are near the use by date but still viable and nutritious , plus
Good value @ $10 per pension card. What people take home is easily over $100 in value if not more.

This is a great idea that should be implemented more.

And to keep the money makers in check.

 

[LONEWOLF]

They are the type of Charities I like to support... All for a very worthy cause... Good on ya Nucopia... :Y: A few years ago I was a volunteer Driver and took People around to Appointments and did some shopping for them... Great satisfaction...

LW....

 

[Dihusky]

If they phone market, we won't donate pure and simple! One precious charity we donate to on a monthly basis, never contacts us except to send the tax details at the end of the year so no wasted money at all, but I know what they use every cent for; fuel and maintenance... who are they? Angel Flight

 

[LONEWOLF]

Very worthy Charity Dihusky.... :Y:

LW...

 

[Colour&Shape]

After the fires went through Tathra NSW a year or two ago (got family there) and things had been extinguished im pretty sure there was a local group (may have been community run through Town Hall/footy oval/Facebook etc, where those that had lost homes and such had a base to meet others, get food supplies and some basic furnishings to get started again...in such times I think everything is welcomed really when you've pretty much lost it all....

Id think most fire effected regions - post fire -
would have a similar base of community operations (Lions Club etc) where they could get the items to people who desperately need them....
things donated by community etc...

Charities seem to be just tax breaks and I cant believe when so many are in need of literally everything...that a charity
(whose definition it is to help and assist others) can be so selective and dismiss so many good offers that COULD benefit someone in REAL need.

Maybe anyone in fire effected regions in a position to donate could try contacting a similar organisation - ie Lions Club/Footy or Cricket Club -
that could get donated items to people in a more community based way than many so called charities claim to do...
Local clubs etc seem to be at the heart of the community and often can read the pulse better of need especially in tough times.

Just a thought.

 

[Tathradj]

Very aware of the happenings in Tathra. O