Salvation Army Red Kettles to Get Credit-Card Capability: ‘There’s No Excuse Anymore’
- Posted on November 16, 2011 at 9:45pm by
Liz Klimas
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You may have already started to hear the little tinkle of Salvation Army bells as the ringers work to raise dollars and cents in the iconic red kettles. This sound may have you reaching into your pockets only to find used tissues — no change. But this year, the organization is working with a little high-tech number that will allow people to make mobile donations with their credit cards.
Square, a dongle that can turn iPhones, iPads or Androids into a credit card terminal, will make this possible.
The New York Times has more:
“A lot of people just don’t carry cash any more,” said Maj. George Hood, the Salvation Army’s spokesman. “We’re basically trying to make sure we’re keeping up with our donors and embrace the new technologies they’re embracing.”
[...]
Lucy Bernholz, an expert on the use of technology by nonprofits, said this could have enormous potential. “It’s a no-brainer,” Ms. Bernholz said. “It’s frictionless and will make it so easy to give that if the person ringing the bell can get your attention, there’s no excuse any more because chances are you’ve got a credit card in your pocket.”
According to the Salvation Army blog, the use of Square will be launched in 10 locations each in four test cities – Dallas, San Francisco, Chicago and New York. Square will be used with Android smartphones donated by Sprint Nextel for this purpose.
This isn’t the first time the Salvation Army encouraged people to whip out a credit card for its Red Kettle Campaign, according to the Times, but they believe this version will provide easier transactions and be more successful:
Three years ago, the Army added traditional credit card processing terminals to the Red Kettle Campaign with mixed results — it gathered just $60,000 that way in 2009, the last year the program was used nationally. In comparison, more than $148 million in coins and bills were tossed into the Army’s red kettles in 2010.
“The credit card terminals really haven’t been a blockbuster, I’ll be candid,” Major Hood said. “The winter elements have been a negative, people have to go through a process of entering data, and it’s just generally more cumbersome than we think Square will be.”
Watch how Square will be used for the 120th Red Kettle Campaign:
[H/T Gizmodo]
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Comments (118)
nmontague
Posted on November 16, 2011 at 11:40pmI didn’t realize we needed an excuse not to give to the salvation army if we chose not to. Perhaps we prefer other charities, or simply can’t afford it at that junction. Would it be wise to give if we don’t have anything to give? We aren’t progressives who give away the money of others.
With that said, give what you can. It’s good to help the less fortunate.
Report Post »old white guy
Posted on November 17, 2011 at 6:26amhaving been involved with kettles. i see problems on the way. many people who volunteer will be unable to work with the scanner no matter how simple it may be. i see a serious reduction in the numbers of people helping to watch the kettles. the salvation army does good work worldwide and needs both money and people to do this work.
Report Post »Jezcruzen
Posted on November 17, 2011 at 12:31pmA monkey will jump out my butt before I give the SA or any other charity my CC! I contribute to them every year in a lump donation. Frankly, I’m tired of being asked to donate to one cause or another every time I have to go to a store! “Would you like to donate a dollar to the children’s blah, blah, blah? Hell No!
Report Post »IntegrityFirst
Posted on November 17, 2011 at 1:13pmExactly, the excuse is if I don’t want to be forced to give to a charity, I won’t give to a charity. Don’t tell me that I HAVE to give to a charity, because then it becomes theft, not charity.
While the Salvation Army is one of a very small select few charities I give to, they will not FORCE me into giving to them. It will always be under my own volition.
Report Post »old white guy
Posted on November 17, 2011 at 2:17pmi want every idiot on this site to tell me how you do anything without money.
Report Post »TXPilot
Posted on November 17, 2011 at 2:19pmEspecially during these difficult times, charity begins at home. Take care of your family first, then if you have extra to donate, give it to groups or churches in your area that will directly benefit your neighbors. I’m always suspicious of large, charitable organizations, because the larger they get, the more and more corruption and waste creeps in.
Report Post »grandparents4life
Posted on November 17, 2011 at 7:48pmThe Salvation Army does a whole lot more than anyone realizes. They give out food bags to people once a month, with that serving thousands of people a week with bags of food. They help with utilities bills with a shut off notice, they help with prescriptions, gas vouchers when you need gas to get back and forth to work. They give lots of presents for children at Christmas time and food baskets. They have a clothing room where poor people can get clothes free. When a fire happens they bring a food and drink wagon truck around to help the fireman. They have afterschool programs for children in school. They have camps for underpriveleged children. They have shelters and programs for women and men with a addiction problem who are court ordered there. They give them work in the back rooms of their stores as part of the rehabilitation.There is so much more they do for people and you think that they are for profit? How much overhead do you think they pay not to mention taxes?
Report Post »BannedByHuffpo
Posted on November 16, 2011 at 11:21pmYou suckahs best be watchin out for them red kettle credit card skimmers.
Report Post »texanpatriot
Posted on November 16, 2011 at 11:17pmGood Lord, for a moment I thought I was reading about the IRS! This is a worthy organization and a safety net to a lot of Americans. They are dedicated and caring people who meet so many needs. I try to give a little when I am Christmas shopping in particular as this is the time of greatest need in our country.
If you don’t want to give by credit card then give a dollar bill. If you don‘t want to give at all then don’t give but for goodness sake don’t run down a great group of people.
As for me and my family, we will serve the Lord and this includes providing for our fellow man. We should be givers and then the government can get out of our lives.
Report Post »CatB
Posted on November 16, 2011 at 11:27pmSadly they are now having to have security at each kettle besides the bell ringer at least where I live .. it was on the news last night. Sad state of affairs when people will steal from those who help people in need.
Report Post »thankyouvets
Posted on November 16, 2011 at 11:01pmI volunteer for the Salvation Army. I am saddened by the above comments. I started volunteering ringing the bells because my dad who was a WWII vet wounded in the Battle of the Bulge was laying in a french hospital when a red cross worker came up and offered him coffee and donut, he said “sure, love some” they said that will be 50cents of which he didnt have. He did not receive the coffee/donut. SA came along a bit later and they gave it to him gladly and for free. I heard many beautiful stories while ringing in the freezing cold, of people who have been helped immensely by the Salvation Army. God bless them and the work they do.
Report Post »FreedomWitness
Posted on November 16, 2011 at 11:05pmExcellent comment. In addition many of the bell ringers are volunteers or folks that have been saved by God and the Salvation Army. The Army is down there helping folks whose only other alternatives are complete degradation, humiliation, insanity and/or death. Most of you would never want to deal with the folks that the Salvation Army tries to save. GOD BLESS THE SALVATION ARMY!
Report Post »dealer@678
Posted on November 16, 2011 at 11:10pmThey do great things BUT their is corruption at the top.
PoliticalJunkieToo
Posted on November 16, 2011 at 11:29pmCorrection – They USED TO BE a decent organization and now it is all about the money.
atvchick
Posted on November 16, 2011 at 10:55pmI work for a company that travels frequently to sell their product. All the sales reps (including me) have iPhones. The company gives us plug ins like the square that turns our iPhones into credit card machines through a simple app. It is so much easier than hauling a credit card machine that could have signal problems and the battery possibly dying. We all really like it and won’t go back to the old machines. It is a great product for small businesses.
But I will not support the Salvation Army having these. I am skeptical of exactly where all the money goes. I donate my 10% to organizations that I KNOW do not profit from my donation. All of my money goes exactly to where I see fit. The red buckets don’t get a lot from me. Call me selfish.
Report Post »FreedomWitness
Posted on November 16, 2011 at 10:59pmCheck the Better Business Bureau for a check on The Army. All of their cost ratios are excellent.
Report Post »old white guy
Posted on November 17, 2011 at 2:16pmthe army is transparent. check them out. their audits are available to anyone unlike the government and obama.
Report Post »FreedomWitness
Posted on November 16, 2011 at 10:46pmYou folks that are down on the Salvation Army are out of your bloody minds. They are the last line of defense and help the most down and out and helpless among us. In addition their rehab is a God centered rehab. God centered rehabs are the only ones that really work (ask Glenn Beck). I love the bells and I give them a 20 spot every time I see them in front of a store (it usually runs to a couple of hundred dollars a year). When Target stores banned them, I banned Target. Did you ever notice that when you give them money they usually say God bless you and Merry Christmas? Really folks of all of the charities out there the Salvation Army really deserves your support.
Report Post »dealer@678
Posted on November 16, 2011 at 10:39pmThe army in Dallas has a used car sale every 2 months. The Captain ( whoever that is ) gets first shot at all the low mile stuff for HIS kids and then auctions off the trash. Just sayin
Report Post »FreedomWitness
Posted on November 16, 2011 at 11:29pmI’m sorry but buy your math this person is buying at least SIX cars a year for his kids. If you multiply that buy the number of years he has allegedly been doing this, he must have a VERY LARGE FAMILY or his kids are VERY BAD DRIVERS and need several cars a year each. I’m I reading THE BLAZE or has my browser been fiendishly diverted to THE HUFFINGTON POST?
Report Post »PoliticalJunkieToo
Posted on November 16, 2011 at 11:30pmCorrupt to the core.
Report Post »ed455
Posted on November 17, 2011 at 9:22amTotally false and patently silly statement. This is a dealer who doesn‘t want to pay The Salvation Army’s prices at the car auction. Sour grapes dude.
Report Post »abbygirl1994
Posted on November 16, 2011 at 10:37pmNo way in heck would I ever give Red Cross a credit card.. as far as I am concerned their as corrupt as our government.. Remember the money raised for NY.. and how they held back on the funds.. no way would I give to Red Cross.. I will give to my church who usually beats the Red Cross to all catastrophes. God help us!
Report Post »sawbuck
Posted on November 16, 2011 at 11:44pmAfter Obama Care realy kicks in, I look to see many charities, take a hit.
Report Post »I was giving to the “ Goodwill” for a long time .Until I heard some stories of them
sifting donations and taking stuff out the back door.
I dont know if its true and at this point ,I realy dont care.
Now…If I see someone in need… I’ll do what I can.
I also give to a church that has a “food and clothing” bank.
Taquoshi
Posted on November 17, 2011 at 8:30amAbby, you are, of course, free not to support the Red Cross, however I would like to point out that this article is not about the Red Cross. It is about the Salvation Army, a totally different group.
Report Post »PoliticalJunkieToo
Posted on November 16, 2011 at 10:16pmThe Salvation Army gives it “admin” huge pensions.
WORSE, the Salvation Army PROFITS off the misery of people who get arrested & put on probation because the Salvation Army is HEAVILY into being PROBATION OFFICERS. I had a friend who fell on hard times and got several tickets he couldn‘t pay like one tail light that didn’t work and he couldn’t afford to get it fixed (someone hit his car in a parking lot and took off). If you don’t get it fixed and show the police it is fixed, they fine you again, suspend your license so you cannot drive and look for work, send out notices to appear in court to pay for even more crap when you couldn’t pay for the first thing. The courts don’t care.
Bottom line, my friend got pulled over and arrested over these ‘tickets that grew” and put on probation. I was SHOCKED when I drove him to his “probation officer” to see it was a Salvation Army guy who just held out his hand for $60 and my friend left. What a WASTE OF MONEY. Greedy bastards!
And GOD HELP YOU if you don‘t have the Salvation Army probation officer’s $50-$60 dollar MONTHLY FEE because he picks up the phone and calls the police to say that even though you showed up to your probation crap meeting, you didn’t have the money to pay them which means you violated your probation standards and a warrant is issued for your arrest.
I am glad stores are banning them from standing outside begging for money. Screw the Salvation Army and the horse they rode
Report Post »Eliasim
Posted on November 16, 2011 at 10:26pmThey don’t ride in on horses, but they do travel in nice cars and live in half a million dollar homes.
Report Post »Eliasim
Posted on November 16, 2011 at 10:29pmMaybe instead of giving people handouts, instead they should spit on the ground like Jesus Christ and twirl it around a stick to show the poor blind people where they came from, and how they came to be.
Report Post »Eliasim
Posted on November 16, 2011 at 10:32pmOh, but there is no money wealth gain involved with that kind of charity and teaching.
Report Post »Ira WIlson
Posted on November 17, 2011 at 6:48amYou are so wrong on so many levels, my friend. The Salvation Army takes the MOST of every donated dollar and uses it for the homeless shelters, food and clothing for the homeless, disaster preparedness and response, and aclohol and substance abuse counseling and rehabilitation,to name just a few. The Salvation Army is also a church bringing many out of darkness into light. You would be better served bashing some other agency. It’s so very sad, but I fear there is nothing I could say to change your mind about them.
Report Post »82dAirborne
Posted on November 16, 2011 at 10:09pmI HATE the bell. Is “hate” too strong a word? Nope. I hate it.
It’s probably a good cause – I’m not sure. I have no way of knowing the ins & outs of a giant charity.
My other –better- half and I have always tried to give the fixings’ for a complete meal to a person/family that we personally know. We missed last year because of our own situation but we are going to do it this time around. When she and I sit down to our holiday dinner it’s always more enjoyable knowing that we helped someone else in some small way.
I’ll throw some change in the kettle but I believe I’ll hang on to my debit card number.
Report Post »mom4times
Posted on November 16, 2011 at 10:19pmI agree with you…..it does get rather annoying and loud and i do like your idea of the “fixins” but I as well do try to give what little I happen to have when I leave the store….but….I to will not be using any credit card
Report Post »Pouncing Porcupine
Posted on November 16, 2011 at 10:08pmI don’t need an excuse not to give to the Salvation Army. Once when I was desperatly in need, I turned to them rather than apply for state assistance. They did SQUAT for me. I wasn’t asking for the world, just some help…any help. They basically told me to go pound sand. They’ll help drunks/drugees/dreggs of society all day long, but when a family man asked them to help his family, they wouldn’t. They are dirtbag enablers. I used to always put money into their kettles, but they themselves cured me of that. And you know what’s weird? They’re supposed to be the “Salvation” Army, i.e., spreaders of the Gospel, right? Yet, I’ve never been given the Gospel by any representative of the Salvation Army, ever.
Report Post »PoliticalJunkieToo
Posted on November 16, 2011 at 10:20pmAgreed.
I would sooner spit into that kettle then give them a penny.
Report Post »Eliasim
Posted on November 16, 2011 at 10:37pmThey kind of have the same effect on druggies that feeding starving nations has, whereby the starving people get fed just enough to have five more kids that are starving. It’s a wicked enabling system.
Report Post »GTH
Posted on November 16, 2011 at 10:07pmAnyone who uses a credit card to make purchases besides emergencies is an idiot!
So check this out moorans….If you give to charity with a cc, the bankster gets 3% of your gift…Is that what you really want?
Report Post »dealer@678
Posted on November 16, 2011 at 10:06pmI have a little insight on the army’s tactics. And im gonna leave it at that
Report Post »FEMALL
Posted on November 16, 2011 at 10:04pmChief Executive
Compensation*:annual salary and, if applicable, benefit plans, expense accounts, and other allowances.
$126,920
Uses of Funds as a % of Total Expenses
Programs: 84% Fund Raising: 1% Administrative: 15%
Report Post »http://www.bbb.org/charity-reviews/national/religious/salvation-army-national-corporation-in-alexandria-va-1221
PoliticalJunkieToo
Posted on November 16, 2011 at 10:29pmThe Red Cross is worse than the Salvation Army although both are over paid burecrats in it for the money.
The Red Cross years back tried to corner the military into giving them exclusive blood donation rights to all military installations which would have screwed local blood banks.
Blood is BIG BUSINESS (each blood bag is worth thousands when it is broken down) and ALL TAXPAYERS pay to keep up the health/immunizations and health of military personnel so everyone knows their blood is clean compared to the general population and those who get paid to donate blood. The greedy Red Cross wanted all the taxpayer paid clean soldier blood for themselves. Thank God the military told the archaic no longer needed Red Cross to take a hike and local community blood banks are allowed on base to give blood. I donate blood all the time but I will NEVER donate blood to the Red Cross.
Report Post »Eliasim
Posted on November 16, 2011 at 10:01pmGosh this country just really makes me puke.
Report Post »Eliasim
Posted on November 16, 2011 at 10:03pmAnd if the U.S makes me puke, then the rest of the world makes me puke and sends me into fits of diarrhea.
Report Post »Eliasim
Posted on November 16, 2011 at 10:07pmThere’s no place like home, there’s no place like home, there’s no place like home. “I love you Bedford Falls, Mary”
Report Post »GTH
Posted on November 16, 2011 at 10:09pmImagine what it will be like for your grandchildren. Can you say….ZOMBIES
Report Post »82dAirborne
Posted on November 16, 2011 at 10:17pmI must have missed the ruby slippers in It’s a Wonderful Life.
Report Post »Eliasim
Posted on November 16, 2011 at 10:17pmI’d rather see the world burn.
Report Post »KangarooJack
Posted on November 16, 2011 at 11:49pmPerhaps you might want to get out of your grandparent’s medicine cabinet. See, that bottle of Syrup of Ipecac is over 30yrs. old. They had it just in case. YOU? You decided you wanted to try that after you went through all their Cancer Morphine patches…No worries though, after you get your ‘New & Improved’ Health Care MANDATE imposed on those of us working, you will get Your New Heart. Yep, you will get your new heart. lol
Report Post »Ira WIlson
Posted on November 17, 2011 at 7:41amLeave any day now. The Salvation Army, for your information, uses 95 cents of every dollar donated toward good causes; better than any other like organization out there. I don’t care if you agree; The Salvation Army is ALWAYS doing the most good.
Report Post »scrapadapolis
Posted on November 16, 2011 at 10:00pmI won’t give a dime to the salvation army ! Ive never seen them at a fire helping anyone or putting themselves out there in a time of need.O yea sure turkey day and homeless shelters.But NEVER community service.and the around the corner drop shop.but only for their own adgenda..I donate to the RED CROSS..
Report Post »Quagaar Warrior
Posted on November 16, 2011 at 10:06pm~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Report Post »Sounds to me like you need to donate all 5 pints to the RED CROSS.
ALL AT ONE TIME!
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82dAirborne
Posted on November 16, 2011 at 10:14pmDon’t let the fact that the Red Cross will come back and ask for the money back from the very folks they “help.” If they call themselves a charity they should help and go on down the road.
I know people who accepted their “help” only to be pestered to distraction later on.
Not a dime for the Red Cross or the United (our) Way. Never.
Report Post »KangarooJack
Posted on November 16, 2011 at 10:34pmI have seen the Red Cross work, 1st hand, FOR victims of Fire AND THE FIREFIGHTERS. I know it is a Good Organization. At least it was. I work at a Grocery Store-what I have seen in the past 2yrs. is a string of “Community Service” Bell Ringers. Last year a few of us, ducked out the back door to avoid the creepy bell ringer because he would tell us he knew where we lived.
Report Post »The Salvation Army sold out for $$$$. They were short on volunteers and joined up with your local Court Systems to work off Community Service = bell ringers. Anyone who swipes their card for this is in need of some serious Credit Protection Counciling.
PoliticalJunkieToo
Posted on November 16, 2011 at 10:37pmThe RED CROSS.is worse. They have lavish paychecks AND pensions.
In the military I was stuck with an additional duty of being in charge of 200 volunteers in my hospital unit. Over 50% of the volunteers were retired military or their spouses and THEY HATED the Red Cross and refused to join the Red Cross.
I made the HUGE MISTAKE of believing all 200 were Red Cross volunteers and was QUICKLY CORRECTED of that error – one I NEVER made again.
So a little less than half were official Red Cross volunteers and more than half just called themselves Hospital Volunteers and the two groups did not miss.
Our annual Volunteer banquets proved those Hospital Volunteers correct. The Red Cross UPPER management were arrogant spoiled over paid IN IT FOR THE MONEY politicians.
And, after the Red Cross tried to get the military to let them be the exclusive blood donation group for all military installations (blood is BIG BUSINESS and they are getting it FREE on base – see my other post), I was completely turned off by the Red Cross and never gave them another dime or drop of blood although I do give donate blood to the local blood banks when they come on base.
Report Post »Ira WIlson
Posted on November 17, 2011 at 7:18pmPresident and CEO of the Red Cross, Marsha J. Evans’ salary for the year was $651,957 plus expenses. President Brian Gallagher of the United Way receives a $375,000 base salary along with numerous expense benefits. UNICEF CEO Caryl M. Stern receives $1,200,000 per year (100k per month) plus all expenses including a ROLLS ROYCE ( REALLY !! ) Less than 5 cents of your donated dollar goes to the cause. While The Salvation Army’s Commissioner Todd Bassett receives a salary of only $13,000/ year (plus housing) ( DESERVES IT!! ) for managing this $2 billion dollar organization. Make up your own minds about where you donate when you can afford to.
Report Post »..
. . 96 percent of donated dollars go to the cause
bikerr
Posted on November 16, 2011 at 9:59pmI’m sure the ACLU will stop this whole practice,(sarcasm) After all don’t the stores that are used by the Salvation Army, pay taxes?. some how they will cry the lie of“ separation of church and state”!
Report Post »ScienceIsNotEvil
Posted on November 16, 2011 at 10:46pmWhen has the ACLU sued to stop a private business from doing this? They haven’t. You are just upset that you variant of christianity doesn’t get government subsidies anymore. Deal with it, stop taking money from me at gun point then using it to spread your religion.
Report Post »Rowgue
Posted on November 17, 2011 at 3:27amNo variant of christianity has ever received government subsidies. Try cutting the tripe out of your diet, it’s dribbling out your mouth.
Report Post »KangarooJack
Posted on November 16, 2011 at 9:57pmI am ALL FOR THE SALVATION ARMY. It is an excellent cause. I do have a MAJOR ISSUE with their bell ringers though. Not many people realize that people work off their ‘Community Service’ Court Sentences working at blood drives AND ringing that bell.
So ‘ya gonna give over your credit card number???
Perhaps a donation via mail might be better.
Report Post »Smokey_Bojangles
Posted on November 16, 2011 at 10:08pmWe have been hurting enough to ask them for help.(paid them back). Kinda feel stupid with the run around and 20 questions you get when you see some one on a Blackberry bragging about all the “free Stuff” they got while wearing $100+ worth of hair extenders and manicured long painted nails and clothes you only WISH you could afford. Then You talk to people there that say there are Great Grandmothers saying,My Children,Grandchildren,and great grandchildren have gotten all of their Christmas presents here, Some folks make it a way of life.
Report Post »Flatrater01
Posted on November 17, 2011 at 10:28pmMy Rotary club has been ringing the bell for close to 30 years. I have been doing it for at least 25. Believe me we are doing it for community service but not what you think. We support the Army because of the fact they have so low expenses for a charity. Every year I hear from vets that have had a great experience with the army.
Report Post »So all you haters sorry, it does not fly here.
littleangel
Posted on November 16, 2011 at 9:56pmIsn’t going to happen, NO WAY!
Report Post »The_Postal
Posted on November 16, 2011 at 9:56pmI give them money. There is no way in hell I’m giving some bell ringer in front of a store my card to scan it through tech that can so easily be hacked and have all that info taken from or just stolen out right.
This is a baaaad idea.
Report Post »PoliticalJunkieToo
Posted on November 16, 2011 at 10:40pmExcellent point.
Report Post »aicardi
Posted on November 16, 2011 at 11:09pmI always give them money but I would never give them my plastic. Just seems a little greedy, and since when do people need an excuse not to donate to charity? Would they prefer that instead of saying a little white lie of not having change that we tell them we aren’t interested in helping them? Someone with no sense just wasted monies that could have been spent better.
Report Post »CatB
Posted on November 16, 2011 at 11:25pmI agree .. I try to have ones in my pocket .. so each kettle gets at least one (when running errands or shopping for the day it is amazing how many I can go through!) .. they are starting early this year .. they were at the grocery store already… I guess with so many in need and so many who used to give now on the receiving end .. they need more time.
Report Post »Barackalypse Now
Posted on November 16, 2011 at 9:55pmI dread the bell outside the grocery store during CHRISTMAS. Now I’ll dread it more.
Report Post »Angeld
Posted on November 16, 2011 at 9:54pmNo I wil not use a credit card donations.
Report Post »Smokey_Bojangles
Posted on November 16, 2011 at 9:53pmNo Excuse? How about Obama has us broke and I do not want to go into debt,just wait until I have some cash.Trust me,I always manage to give something even when folks that use you have more than I do.
Report Post »Angeld
Posted on November 16, 2011 at 9:53pmNo way to credit cards
Report Post »KickinBack
Posted on November 16, 2011 at 9:50pmUh, no you can’t have my credit card numbers.
Report Post »PeachyinGA
Posted on November 16, 2011 at 9:55pmDitto on the “uh, no”
Report Post »Quagaar Warrior
Posted on November 16, 2011 at 10:02pm~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Report Post »Then use someone elses money like democrats do!
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nolemming
Posted on November 16, 2011 at 10:06pmMine either! I’m not putting money down any more of these black holes. Give me the name of a family and I would have a great time buying them Christmas gifts and a nice Christmas dinner. The kids and I decided one year since we didn’t have enough money to really buy gifts for each other, that we would all go together and just buy one gift for an angel from the angel tree at Wal-Mart. We went to my sisters house for Christmas dinner only to find out that her children were given gifts from the angel tree (she was far from poor) and she was complaining about how stupid the gifts were that people were buying and saying her kids didn’t get anything “good” at all. I never said anything, but knew from that point on I would not fall for that silliness anymore and instead I will find someone in the grocery store who is short on their grocery bill and pay the balance. I will donate food to the senior center and local food bank. My husband and I have bought turkeys for fellow workers when the company doesn’t for Thanksgiving. If they will match me up with a family I will buy gifts for a family directly, but no more public stuff.
Report Post »