Catalog Heaven
In response to Catalog Heaven
Readers agree that the holiday season is a time to remember
family and
friends, as well as to give to those less fortunate.
- I have always wanted to volunteer for something, but I have a
limited time to give. Do you know of any clearing houses for
volunteering in CT, where they can match my time and skills with
places
where I might fit?
Note: I did not find a clearing house, but here are several
Internet
addresses to check out for Connecticut volunteering assignments:
- I think it's wonderful for people to give donations instead of
gifts
that many people don't really need. Many people who have never
gone
"without" do not realize that poor people need more
than food during the
holidays. Some cannot afford a Christmas tree or the Nutcracker
Ballet. When money is tight, food is easier to come by than other
so-called luxuries. There are always ways to stretch food dollars
and
food stamps. But no one provides poor parents with opprtunities
for
their children.
Our church participates in an Angel Tree which I believe is
sponsored
by the Salvation Army. Children's wishes, clothing size and age
are
listed on tags on a tree at our church where members of the
congregation
can choose one and buy the child a present anonymously. My own
girls
get very excited about buying these gifts, even though they are
for
children we do not know.
--- Give Through Your Church
- I have succumbed to the fine art of sending gifts via catalog.
It
saves me lots of time, money and shipping hassles. However, sales
taxes
loom on the horizon. Leave it to the government to spoil a good
thing.
--- Bah, humbug!
- An absolutely heart warming column. Let us not forget that the
holiday season is one for doing for others. From my family to
yours,
happy Thanksgiving, a warm Christmas and prosperous New Year. ---
Best Wishes
- A large clothing store I worked for ran a special charity promotion
each holiday season. Here's how it worked. The YWCA and other local
organizations gave us lists of families labeled A-Z, with a description
of ages and sizes of mom and her kids (dads usually weren't in the
picture). We then went to our buyers and warehouses where there were
often misshipments or slightly damaged items, from which we filled the
requests as best we could. Every family got a bag filled with great,
appropriate clothing.
Then, because we always had so much merchandise left over, we would
have a wrapping session in the cafeteria and box 'n label everything.
The Salvation Army picked up the boxes and distributed them to their
clients.
This was the best part of the holidays for me and for many of my
co-workers. --- Donate Excess Merchandise
And from Beth Bruno:
Thank you all for your opinions and support. I welcome your
comments
anytime and hope you are finding the dialogue both
thought-provoking and
informative. Enjoy your holiday celebrations and be safe!
Please send questions or comments to bbruno@snet.net.
Previous columns are available.
©1995-2004 SBC Knowledge Ventures. All rights reserved. Legal Privacy
