My youngest niece and sister are planning to go to Hondurus this summer to build a shower building as part of a church group. I just got a letter from her asking me to donate to the cost of going. It will cost $1850 per person. This letter makes me very uncomfortable and I'm having a hard time understanding/expressing my feelings about this.
My sister said they sent out 400 letters asking for dontations. Basically writing to anyone they've ever met and any relative no matter how distant. The letter is written as if my niece wrote it but it sounds nothing like her and is full of outright lies, such as "Over the past six months I have become more involved in my church" I doubt if she's been to that church 3 times in 6 months and she's told me she doesn't like the church since it's too big and she feels like the preachers are all about showmanship rather that preaching. She prefers a small church group where the teen group is only 12 people vs a couple hundred.
The letter then proceeds to tell you all the ways you can give money such as cash, check or go to the website and then how to make sure you get your tax deduction. It just feels so sleazy to me, like a used car salesman. I was raised that you never, ever ask people for money, even if it is for charity. But it's only partially for charity, most of it is because my sister thinks it will be a good experience for her. I agree, I just don't think everyone else should be asked to fund that experience.
The other thing that bothers me is the total cost. I can go on a 7-night cruise to Alaska for that price. Why in the world does it cost so much to go to Honduras? Even though I don't feel comfortable with the method of raising the money I plan to donate $50 and give her some money-making chores to help fund it. The whole thing leaves me feeling very unsettled.
I finished reading the library book Private Places. Romance short stories - very good.
feeling uncomfortable
May 5th, 2010 at 08:40 pm
May 5th, 2010 at 10:01 pm 1273096912
May 5th, 2010 at 10:23 pm 1273098196
Annoying, but kind of common, really.
May 6th, 2010 at 01:13 pm 1273151581
I think this approach is becoming increasly common. I just received a FB note mentioning that I could hire a babysitter, get a tax write-off for the donation, and it is going to help fund her Mission trip to Guatemala. Thanks, but no thanks.