Gimme, gimme, GIMME

[JDgreen227]

OP here, I know the retired gentleman quite well, and simply created the thread because I thought it very crass to solict a donation this time of the year. I am retired with a small pension and have to draw on my savings because I am not old enough for SS yet, and here is something else to ponder: I recently had to refinance my paid-for homestead because of a greedy ex-spouse, have a $4,000 attorney bill to pay, have a $310 utility bill due soon, plus a $2200 winter tax bill coming due in February. Now, did I email my numerous contacts or post on Facebook I was in serious need of funds and hope they had some extra cash to tide me over? NO, I DID NOT !!!!! Even in my severe financial situation, I will STILL donate money to the needy this holiday season, and perhaps there is something wrong with me, but to me those who DO NOT bring attention to their neediness are the ones more deserving of assistance.

 

[ljohnson778]

OP here, I know the retired gentleman quite well, and simply created the thread because I thought it very crass to solict a donation this time of the year. I am retired with a small pension and have to draw on my savings because I am not old enough for SS yet, and here is something else to ponder: I recently had to refinance my paid-for homestead because of a greedy ex-spouse, have a $4,000 attorney bill to pay, have a $310 utility bill due soon, plus a $2200 winter tax bill coming due in February. Now, did I email my numerous contacts or post on Facebook I was in serious need of funds and hope they had some extra cash to tide me over? NO, I DID NOT !!!!! Even in my severe financial situation, I will STILL donate money to the needy this holiday season, and perhaps there is something wrong with me, but to me those who DO NOT bring attention to their neediness are the ones more deserving of assistance.

I don't disagree that it was in poor taste for the retired gentleman's relatives to behave as they did, just saying that he is a fellow human being in a bad situation. I'm sorry for your difficulties, been there. Don't let your ex make you bitter, use the experience to make you better.

 

[Deere Dude]

It seems to be the way the country is headed. No shame anymore especially when it comes to being put on welfare, getting handouts, going to food kitchens, using food stamps, etc. I totally understand there are people who find themselves in desperate need and they should be helped. From everything I have been reading and hearing, a majority of the people on these programs either brought it upon themselves by not working when they should or can work but on a program is much easier. The next guy will foot the bill for me.

A couple days ago a friend told of a sheriff in a sheriff's dept. involved in taking toys and whatever else to help families in need over the Christmas season. He said many times he would pull in front of the house and there was a big SUV or a pretty new car parked there and then when inside there is a huge big screen TV. That is common and people aren't to proud to not scam the system. Of course the government is making it way to easy to take advantage of it.

It has to take away the political correctness and make a work for welfare society. If you want welfare, you better work or show why you cannot. Of course that is just my opinion.

 

[dave1949]

It does seem odd for people to solicit donations via emails and Facebook.

I imagine for many who are poor, I mean actually poor, it would be possible to point to something in their lives that made or keeps them poor. A bad decision about a job, failing to care for their health, or just failure to manage what they have earned.

We have a number of poor people around here who are more or less stranded by age and job skills. They may have worked for a paper mill, in the woods, or a shoe factory, but many of those things have gone away. They are often over 60 years old, aren't going to work again, there are very few jobs here, and they couldn't move away if they wanted to--there is nothing to move to that is an improvement for these people. Since their working careers were up and down and cut off early, they don't have retirement savings. They are living on social security, help from the food pantry and medicaid.

 

[powerpace]

I have two "friends" on Facebook that are asking for somekind of help every week. The last big one was asking for help to save her home. She has three large Husky dogs that eat enough for 8 people. Can't keep a job. Who knows why. The other has a disabled boyfriend that is "bedridden" but can still ride his Harley. She gets paid by the government to take care of him plus she is a caregiver for others full time. She asks for someone to help roof her house, do some plumbing/electrical work. I have known this person for eleven years, it never changes. Last summer she was going to sell her pair of Quads but wanted to wait till the riding season was over on the beach. Said she desperatly needed the money. But not till she was finished with them.

 

[TCJatko]

I have two "friends" on Facebook that are asking for somekind of help every week. The last big one was asking for help to save her home. She has three large Husky dogs that eat enough for 8 people. Can't keep a job. Who knows why. The other has a disabled boyfriend that is "bedridden" but can still ride his Harley. She gets paid by the government to take care of him plus she is a caregiver for others full time. She asks for someone to help roof her house, do some plumbing/electrical work. I have known this person for eleven years, it never changes. Last summer she was going to sell her pair of Quads but wanted to wait till the riding season was over on the beach. Said she desperatly needed the money. But not till she was finished with them.

Exactly. I have no problems helping the truly needy, but way too many folks treat the welfare system as a lifstyle.

 

[Pops15]

Yes, it's in poor taste to solicit donations.
The events that lead to this situation can't be undone. The family needs to find a real solution. Maybe it's time for this man to move into a nursing home. The state will foot the bill. Of course they'll sell the house to recoup some of the money. They'll attach most of his pension as well.
If he has any equity in his house he could get a reverse mortgage. Many churches have an outreach program that will help elderly people in many ways.
My guess is the kids want to protect his assets (their inheritance) and that's why they're soliciting donations rather than trying to find a real solution to the problem.

 

[JDgreen227]

Yes, it's in poor taste to solicit donations.
The events that lead to this situation can't be undone. The family needs to find a real solution. Maybe it's time for this man to move into a nursing home. The state will foot the bill. Of course they'll sell the house to recoup some of the money. They'll attach most of his pension as well.
If he has any equity in his house he could get a reverse mortgage. Many churches have an outreach program that will help elderly people in many ways.
My guess is the kids want to protect his assets (their inheritance) and that's why they're soliciting donations rather than trying to find a real solution to the problem.

Well stated on your part...what baffles me is why said fellow cannot manage his money...both he and his spouse collect a pension and Social Security (about $5500 per month combined) and he gets Medicare.

 

[Gator6x4]

In all likelihood the kids bled him dry and now want someone else to continue supporting them in the lifestyle they think they deserve. If he is exceeding the $66,000.00 dollar annual pension he is currently receiving, something is wrong. Call me hard hearted, cruel or whatever but I would be de-friending someone and not making any contributions. Way to many seniors I think it is 49% are living at or near the poverty level for me to be making cash gifts to someone receiving $66,000.00 annually. I have found the Salvation Army does a good job of sorting out "Free Loaders" but they also occasionally get scammed. It is shocking the number of individuals involved in such scams at Christmas.

 

[CBW1999]

SCAM>>>SCAM>>>>>SCAM>>>>>SCAM

this seems to be a new ploy used by people on facebook and craigslist.

I am not denying the possibility or legitimate aspect of the man's situation, it is the intentions of those asking for the donation that come into play. I have seen some really suspicious ones in the last few months where someone has set up a donation account for someone in an "accident" not too long after it aired on the news.

If a person is that bad off financially- especially with end stage renal disease, they have a lot of assistance available. including transportation to and from treatment. Treatment isn't denied if they can't meet out of pocket co pays or the like, the bill just gets bigger. So they can't argue an imminent need for cash to meet this.

In general, I get annoyed at how quickly now a days "fundraisers" are organized for "tragedies" even to the extent that the "victim" prompts someone to organize it. Often- "they didn't have insurance" issue comes up. I always ask "why"? Sorry.........kinda got on the soap box-