Salvation Army Adopt A Family

[frogprincess]

So this year three of my friends and I signed up to adopt a family through the Salvation Army for Christmas. The family they found for us is a family of three; a single mother, a 15 year old boy and a 12 year old girl.

I called the mother to ask about what her family liked to eat so that we could fill the hamper with foods they love. When I spoke to her I found out that she's currently a grad student (studying Naturopathic Medicine) and that she wanted to be given gift cards for Future Shop or Best Buy so that she could buy her son an X-Box game.

The Adopt A Family program is suppose to help people going through hardship. In my opinion choosing to go back to school to become a doctor is not a hardship, and a person who has chosen to do so should not be asking for charity to buy a video game for her child.

I want to call and get a new family, my lover says that we should just stick with this family and the other two think that it's BS.

WTH would do you in this situation?

[TrixX]

she could get funding from the government for school and still be working fulltime and not be able to afford christmas. the school could be a future plan for her family. just my thoughts.

[Disco_Whore]

^Totally agree. There could be more to her situation that you don't know: are you assuming she previously bought her the son the Xbox, that she gets child support, and that student loans can cover living expenses for herself 2 children AND the cost of school?

I can completely understand how it feels like this woman could be abusing a system developed for people in need, but she could still be one of those people.

[b0ld]

unfortunantly the salvation army doesn't have a system im place to check if the person is in need of assistance. All you need is an address and you would even be able to sign up yourself. I used to do some volunteer work way back when for the salvation army and it was sometimes sickening to to go to a so called "adoptive familys" home... Only to arrive at the door steps of a family in a 3 year old home with 2 brand new cars in the parking lot and a big screen tv.. etc... Clearly a family that wouldn't need any assistance..

Foodbanks on the other hand have a system in place where you have to prove that your on social assistance and have kids ... etc... with various paper work. Come the holiday season your automatically approved for a christmas hamper. And of course they are always open to the public for donations for anything at this time of year.

[galaxie]

When I was 9 and my bro was 7 my mom had to go back to school. She worked a crappy job in the meantime and did night school so my grandparents or dad could look after us in the evenings. Even once she had her diploma and was in the workforce, we were still living below the poverty line. I had to start working full-time when I was 16 so that we could afford to keep our house. I say, good on this mom for realizing that she couldn't support a family on what she was making before - sometimes, financially things have to get worse before they get better! At least she is trying to make a positive change rather than a lot of people who just sit on their ass, collect welfare and don't even TRY to help themselves!

[laska]

It's Christmas. You offer nice food for her and her family to enjoy, she asks for a gift card for video games? That's pretty bold!

There's kids out there who need winter coats, boots, a new backpack, a proper mattress... I think your kindness would be better appreciated elsewhere.

[Ragga_Wh0re]

theres an old saying...

beggers cant be choosers.

[Carrie]

I think that whatever you choose to help them out with that they should be greatful.

If the family is in need then I'm sure they will be happy with getting a good Christmas dinner rather then a video game. The son will understand when he grows up about how special this Christmas was because you have helped him and his family with all his favorite foods rather then a video game...

he might not think this way this year though.

I would stick to giving them a hamper of great foods that they will enjoy eating.

Christmas is about family and not about gifts.

[Ragga_Wh0re]

^are you kidding me? Christmas has no familia significance or religious significance. It is a holiday implented by white corporate america for dumb shit average citizens to celebrate the capitalist state under the guise of "family time" what conglomerate gives a fuck about family at "christmas time" all they give a fuck about is making a buck.


CHRISTMAS=PRESENTS.

[Carrie]

maybe for you thats what christmas is about.

I enjoy spending time with my family and good food and being grateful for what I have.

[frogprincess]

Update: I called and spoke to someone at the Salvation Army and she said that if we were put off in anyway about the family they had selected for us. I asked to be given a different family.

Mom
Son (8)
Daughter (2)

The only gifts requested were winter jackets, and warm clothes.

I feel so much happier knowing that our money will be going to help someone who is really in need.

[LLaaUUrrYYn]

I've adopted a family through the christmas bureau and wasn't thrilled with them (the mother seems very bitchy) but who am I to judge? Im going to get them lots of food as well as a gift or two for each of them!

It feels so good to do this! =)

[prozac]

^I think its important to remember also that asking for charity can never be a pleasant experience for most people. My mother has been in that position and I know she was completely mortified, as I would also be. It can't be easy to be gracious and friendly when you feel about 2 inches tall.

I know you weren't, but we can't expect these people to be grovelling in gratitude. It's not exactly a fun position to be in.

[Ragga_Wh0re]

^I think youre on to something.

I think its entirely possible that forprincess and lauryn have used adopt a family as a means to stroke their egos at someone elses expense.

And Carrie, its about famdamily time and good food all year round I dont just limit it to one day.Same with the presents thing,its presents day everyday of the year.

I like presents.

[ebbomega]

Whatever. It's not about presents, it's about community. Getting together with your families of choice and chance and giving to each other. The only thing that's guided by corporate USA is that the only way of giving is by buying shit for people. Make some food or give to the homeless or host parties with your friends.

It's a tradition that goes way back beyond corporate consumerism, beyond Christianity, and beyond most of our recorded histories, probably almost as a means of survival - at this time of year, the only way you're going to make it through it is through your friends and family.

But hey, if you want to buy in to the US Corporate commercial machine, go for it. Kinda sad though, if that's all you think it is.

[cubed]

I donate every year to a needy family in NY.

Rarely do I ask for background on the family.

It's enough to know that it's probably brightened someone's day regardless of their circumstances.

[LLaaUUrrYYn]

Originally Posted by Ragga_Wh0re

^I think youre on to something.

I think its entirely possible that forprincess and lauryn have used adopt a family as a means to stroke their egos at someone elses expense.

And Carrie, its about famdamily time and good food all year round I dont just limit it to one day.Same with the presents thing,its presents day everyday of the year.

I like presents.

NOT GONNA LIE...That is actually very true.

I've adopted a family just so I can post about it on fnk and get some karma.

So far i've received none..which means my plan has backfired.

Maybe next year i'll try to adopt your good for nothing ass and your family =)

[frogprincess]

Originally Posted by LLaaUUrrYYn

NOT GONNA LIE...That is actually very true.

I've adopted a family just so I can post about it on fnk and get some karma.

So far i've received none..which means my plan has backfired.

Maybe next year i'll try to adopt your good for nothing ass and your family =)

I am going to post pictures of everything we buy the family, as well as some of us delivering the goods. You should do the same!
I have a feeling the karma will roll in then!

[LLaaUUrrYYn]

Originally Posted by frogprincess

I am going to post pictures of everything we buy the family, as well as some of us delivering the goods. You should do the same!
I have a feeling the karma will roll in then!

Good Idea!!

Maybe I can even get them all to cry during a group hug..that would bring in loads of karma!!!

[tiedye]

Originally Posted by cubed

I donate every year to a needy family in NY.

Rarely do I ask for background on the family.

It's enough to know that it's probably brightened someone's day regardless of their circumstances.

The asshole's heart grew three sizes that day.

[Ragga_Wh0re]

Originally Posted by ebbomega

Whatever. It's not about presents, it's about community. Getting together with your families of choice and chance and giving to each other. The only thing that's guided by corporate USA is that the only way of giving is by buying shit for people. Make some food or give to the homeless or host parties with your friends.

It's a tradition that goes way back beyond corporate consumerism, beyond Christianity, and beyond most of our recorded histories, probably almost as a means of survival - at this time of year, the only way you're going to make it through it is through your friends and family.

But hey, if you want to buy in to the US Corporate commercial machine, go for it. Kinda sad though, if that's all you think it is.

cut the hippy bullshit.

[Ragga_Wh0re]

Originally Posted by LLaaUUrrYYn

NOT GONNA LIE...That is actually very true.

I've adopted a family just so I can post about it on fnk and get some karma.

So far i've received none..which means my plan has backfired.

Maybe next year i'll try to adopt your good for nothing ass and your family =)

Might be a bit hard, you need to make under a certain tax bracket to be eligible for that.

You can still send me gifts though :) Like frank incense and mir.

[cubed]

Originally Posted by Ragga_Wh0re

You can still send me gifts though :) Like frank incense and mir.

it's actually frankincense and myrrh.

if you're going to ask for something, at least know how to spell it jabba.

[ebbomega]

Originally Posted by Ragga_Wh0re

cut the hippy bullshit.

Sorry if family makes me happier than useless shit that'll break or be boring in a year does.

You know, for someone that's gone through the whole holier-than-thou-because-you-got-knocked-up transition, you sure don't seem to give a shit about your family.

[tiedye]

I detect bitterness, envy, greed, and perhaps a hint of nutmeg.