Yes, you see this more and more now, it really annoys me. If you gave one or two dollars everytime you buy something it adds up fast. I never give money at the checkouts, I am never really sure of where it will be going.

I have my favorite charities and give to them only.

Yes they do it all the time here and I always refuse. I donate when I want to and to the charities I want to donate to and I will not be shamed into donating at the cash.

They do it all the time here and I also refuse. When you donate at the store THEY get the tax deduction with YOUR money. Smart thinking on their part. I donate a fair bit each year but to charitites that I choose and then get tax receipts to use on my income tax. I hate it when cashiers try and center you out for not donating. Now, I've gotten to the point where I will respond to the loud cashier and say "NO, when I donate I'll get the tax receipt and NOT the store" in an equally loud voice.

I volunteer for a wonderful animal adoption center in Chicago. The Petco across the street asks for donations for our shelter and I believe they give us 100%. Don't be so cynical. If you don't want to donate just say "no thanks". They are only asking for $1.00.
Donna

"When you donate at the store THEY get the tax deduction with YOUR money."

I never even thought about this. I've only donated a few times at the store but we give to our church and they are huge in our community at helping people with food, clothes and shelter.

Okay, speaking as a former cashier, it was rude for the cashier to make that remark. When I had to ask customers to make a donation (we had several amounts, but $1 minimum for one charity) and a customer said no, or that they had already donated I always ALWAYS replied with, "thats fine, your total is XXXX...." and left it at that. What I hated was when I asked if someone would like to make a donation and they gave me some rude obnoxious reply "who is going to donate to me???" or "will you stop asking me that? I'm tired of everyone asking me to donate my money!" A simple, No thanks is all that is required, and when people would be rude to me, that's how I would reply back to them. Trust me, cashiers HATE it when it's donation time. And last month was Breast Cancer Awareness month. You couldn't walk into any store here without being asked to donate to that charity. Safeway, Walmart, Zellers some Shoppers Drug Marts (they choose their own charities store to store) among others. For a whole month! Do you know how many times you go into those stores and get asked???? I always donate something at least once because as I say, "I like my boobs, and want the money there to keep them on my chest if I ever get cancer".

When I'm asked and choose not to donate, I just say "Not this time" and no one has ever responded to rudely to me. If they did, I'd feel like shopping somewhere else next time.

It bothers me more when the school is raising money for a charity and they want the kids to bring in money. My kids don't understand that it's a choice and think they will be punished for not bringing in money for the charity, or that their teacher won't like them if they don't. I think it's a good idea on one level for a school to come together for a cause. I just want it presented differently, to ADULTS and not to the children.

I always say a quiet "No", and have never been challenged.
I would have gone straight to the office and asked for the manager on duty.

There are more and more. I went into the local Dollar Store with Lauren the other day and when asked I said no. Lauren said why not and I told her I'd explain later. I really don't know if that money's going where they say it is or if it's a legitamate charity. I'd rather give where I want to give and when. Lauren wants to give to everyone and I'm trying to teach her to be more careful.

I usually give to the Salvation Army bellringers every so often but that's about the only ones I give to while shopping. Even those can be rip offs, the other day one of their workers stole his kettle and took off.

One thing that really bothers me is McDonald's "change" boxes below their drive thru windows. I make a decent living but here is a billion dollar company asking me for my change to donate to charity. Why don't they just give some of their profit to the charity? I know their CEOs are making more per year than I'll make in a lifetime. Same thing with celebrities asking for donations to help this charity or that. If they'd just give up one of their vacation homes or an expensive car or a $10,000 dress, they could donate more than what a lot of us could.

I agree Stephanie, about schools coercing/bribing kids to participate in their sales. I'd rather they just come out and ask for money. I'm not harrassing my friends and family to buy any of their cheap junk. The kids' old elementary school used to have a Fall festival and parents were asked to donate an item for baskets. They would make up baskets from all the parents donations and then we could buy raffle tickets to win those baskets that we paid for. Why not just ask for money? I did participate and go to the festivals I could, bought things, including the raffles tickets for the baskets. But it would be so much easier to just give them a check.

It bothers me more when the school is raising money for a charity and they want the kids to bring in money. My kids don't understand that it's a choice and think they will be punished for not bringing in money for the charity, or that their teacher won't like them if they don't. I think it's a good idea on one level for a school to come together for a cause. I just want it presented differently, to ADULTS and not to the children.

I sooo agree with this. My daughter had a teacher for two years straight who was so very obnoxious about donations. The school had a competition to see which class could raise the most, and my daughter's teacher wanted to win.....badly. She kept a list of which child had donated and which child hadn't, and every single day she, in front of the whole class, called out the names of the children who hadn't donated yet and asked them when they would be bringing in their donation. My daughter asked to go to the media center one day to finish an assignment, and the teacher told her that if she promised to bring in a donation she would let her go.

We were going through a particularly hectic and difficult time in our lives right then. It was a major victory in our lives at that time that my daughter was at school showered, dressed, on time, with all her homework done and prepared for her schoolwork. The last thing my daughter needed was to be harassed by a teacher over something so petty.

I have never in my entire life known of a teacher to act in such a petty and demeaning way. My jaw still drops whenever I think about it. However, I should say that my children have collectively more than 23 years in the school system, and this is the only teacher that acts this way. The rest of the time the collections have been handled in a very appropriate way.

I don't mind the school or the stores asking for donations, as long as they are pleasant and low-key when people elect not to give. We are like many others and donate frequently, but make sure to donate where we get the tax deduction.

To clarify, I really don't mind the stores asking, although I would rather not have them do so. Most cashiers say fine, and let it go. I do object if a cashier centers me out though for not donating.

I do donate a fair bit to charity and health organizations each year.

When you give at the checkstand doesn't it show up on your receipt?? I think it does and if you did it enough you could use them at tax time to claim it.

I only give once in awhile and only at my regular shopping spots.

I don't donate to charity to get a tax cut. Good grief.
The only place that does this where I live is Dollar Tree. I figure I can spare a buck when I check out. I'm certainly always getting something I don't really "need", so figure i can at least cough up a dollar for someone who actually may be in need.

Never heard of it and never been asked at the checkout to donate to anything.Guess I really must live in a hick town.LOL

Years ago when i worked at Motorola they really pressured their employees to donate to United Way. They wanted you to donate with every pay check which they directly took that out for you or one lump sum. Motorola was has been honored for being a generous company to United Way. Funny thing is Motorola never gave a dime. The employees did. I remember when i was hired they presented giving to United Way as a requirement.
I have my favorite charities and i dont usually donate at those stores. I also enjoy being a part of a charity or drive. It feels good knowing that you helped someone.

I had to run out for toilet paper and kleenex, so decided to go to the Dollar General store instead of the massive Wal-Mart we now have (I hate going in that store). Anyway, they asked me and the lady ahead of me if I wanted to buy a $1 toy for Toys for Tots. She said yes, I said no. All she did was take the money from her. No "buying" of anything. I thought that was a strange way to put it.

Ninos my DS works for UPS and they act the same way about the United Way donations, my DS works partime and they nag you til you do it:( I think this is bad and I am now wondering if UPS does their own donation or are the employees making them look good???

kathsgrdn - at our store they keep a bag or box near the register and put a toy in if you say yes. they often even ask if you want to give to a boy or a girl. also i need to say i don't think anyone should be made to feel like they have to give if they don't wish to.

ninos and lunchlady - the phone company where i used to work really pushed United Way, too. they want to be able to say they have 100% participation by their employees.

My DH gave money every week to United Way. It was taken directly out of his paycheck. It showed on his pay stub as United Way donation and at the end of the year it showed total contributions. We did use it on our taxes as charitable deductions.
Kathy G in MI

When you donate at the store THEY get the tax deduction with YOUR money.

You're wrong there. It shows on YOUR receipt, and YOU take the tax deduction. It's illegal for them to take a tax deduction for that money.

I hated asking for the donations when I was a cashier. Most people were nice, but some got really nasty about it. I don't donate to charities at all. I write out a check to the art teacher at my local school, or a check directly to the Boys and Girls club. I will only donate money to food banks, so that they can buy the perishable things that people can't donate.

I've seen the walls posted with donation chits, but I've never been asked outright at the register to donate money. If they did ask, I'd just say no and leave it at that. Of course, the usual bell-ringers outside the store doors always ask, and I just walk by or say no. I do feel a bit badly saying "no" so often, but I also feel badly driving by down-on-their-luck homeless holding signs at intersections.

Other than a couple special, urgent drives during any given year, in early December every year, DH and I always sit down and discuss what/how much we're going to give according to that year's finances. Then we write a few very generous checks to our favorite causes. Yes, it's tax deductible, but we are giving the money, and they are getting the money, and if the IRS wants to reward us for doing so, I'm all for it. This year I am also sponsoring Xmas gifts for a disadvantaged girl in the area (anonomously through a local agency). In general, I'd rather write large checks than give in dribs and drabs all through the year, even if there were no tax deduction.

I did make an exception a week or so ago...a not-strung-out-by-drugs homeless young man was just sitting quietly (with a donation can) on the wide sidewalk downtown recently, and he had laid out a clean folded towel for his cat to lay on. (I'd never seen a homeless person with a pet cat.) He was petting and stroking his cat so lovingly, and the cat responding in kind, that I gave him $5 and asked that it be used for catfood or shots for his cat. (There is a good homeless shelter with meals not far away, and I'm sure they do not provide catfood or veterinary care.) He looked up and smiled. Maybe the cat is his shill? Who knows...I just was touched.

Just think Giants store does it every time you go in it seems.if they get 1.00 from say 1 million people theyre collecting alot of money.I wondered too where it goes IF it goes where they say.We have quite a few Giants just in our area.Ill shut them up Ill say I need a kidney do you want to donate a kidney...thats not funny..

Whenever i pass a bell ringer i always throw a quarter in the bucket. When i have my kids with we all give a quarter. So that quarter becomes a dollar. It may not look like much but i give to every bell ringer i pass.
I was watching PBS this morning and they are having their $ drive. The donation levels begin at $40. Many companies are asking you to donate at the levels. I would like to donate but i dont have $40 to spare right now. Why cant we donate at a dollar amount we can afford?

At the company my DH use to work at, they had employees give a percentage of their income to United Way and the company matched it. You were expected to do that. DH gave 10%, which was a tidy sum. We now give to the charities we want.

When I get asked at the check out stand (and it is at every store now), I just say "no thank you". Though with the looks I get, I feel like launching into a long explanation but don't bother.
Clare

The one thing about United Way many of you don't know about. Yes it does help a lot of people, but they designate so much to only certain organizations. EXAMPLE ONLY XX to Boy scouts OK, but when you are pressured to donate X per month or per paycheck to make your employer's quota, they (United Way) takes that amount off their designated amount. The Boy scouts DO not get the extra money, just means United Way has to donate less. I got in trouble big time when I brought this to at a meeting at work. Almost got fired over it. My DH found this out thru the Boy Scout organization. They later refused all donations from United Way--got more money--less hassle

Wow, I'm really shocked about the United Way stories.
My company has a campaign as well, but it is absolutely NOT required. The only thing that is asked of you (but not required) is for you to go the web and either contribute or click the "not at this time" button.
Your manager has no idea (having been a mgr here) which button you clicked.
I never give to the UW campaign because I'd rather give directly to my charities, rather than so much of the contribution being chewed up by administrative costs.

I usually donate something at the checkout stand.

And ... here in So Calif. I've had movie theaters ask for a $1 donation for some cause as well. Adding an extra dollar to a $9.00 or $10.00 movie ticket irks me but I usually donate there as well.

Jodi-

my dh works for a neighboring county and they are totally pressured to donate to united way. last yr someone in the dept actually pulled the rolls for donations and went to each and every person forcing them to sign up and donate thru paychecks. we hate the united way, they waste most of their donations and have one of the most bloated payrolls of any non-profit, not to mention all their scandals over the yrs. anyways dh was told he had no choice and had to fill out the form and hand it to that county person so he does $1 a pay period.

i always give at the register to petsmart. i don't shop anywhere else that does it like that, except publix during the holidays and you have to grab a donation tag. i don't donate to national organizations, just locals ones and only for animals, toys for tots and homeless. ~ liz

I like to choose who gets my charity. I already give plenty to my church and several disease-fighting organizations. I don't like to be bullied, so I always say "no" to these people. I know the store clerks are told by their bosses they must ask. Raising her voice and embarassing you was tacky.

Well, I'm glad the customers at my local Petco give $1.00. I know it is going to the animal shelter I volunteer at and it does make a difference to that animals life. To all of you that donate your dollar to Petco,
Thank You,
Donna