And it would be entirely up to you, enjoyingspring, when to open your heart and bank account or not.

I tend to look at the overall situation before deciding whether or not to donate. Help my neighbor whose 13 year old is fighting bone cancer? You bet. Contribute to a former student's expenses associated with being accepted into a prestigious art program? Absolutely. Fund someone's vacation? No.

The problem with gofundme is thay there is no guarantee that the money is REALLY going to that cause.

I help friends and family and have always been generous with non-profits that do good charitable work, especially when aimed at those who are less fortunate or down on their luck.

Giving directly to an individual through this means (usually a stranger) with no oversight or accountability as to how the money is used, isn't something I would ever do.

Is there a particular Gofundme that was responsible for this post?

I donate to what I think are worthy causes. I know we've had several GoFundMe campaigns here in the KT that were very successful.

I'd like to know what happened to the $300,000 (?) that the woman raised for that homeless guy who went and got her $20 worth of gas. Follow ups for well publicized events would be nice.

I knew a May/December couple who got themselves pregnant. The babe came into the world born far to early. Before the mother even been released from the hospital they set up a Go Fund Me for the baby's future medical expenses. Pleading how broke they were and how he lost his job, blah blah. I knew he had actually sold his business. Has season tickets to professional sports, lots of trips etc. through the year. As the money came in the next thing I see on Facebook is he bought her an engagement ring. A big one. The poor little babe died at around 10 days old as was not surprising to those who understand these things and the odds of the poor little things survival. So then they upped the ante on the Go Fund me page again. They needed to have a funeral for the child. An expensive one. Then a Facebook post showing them in Hawaii in order to "properly mourn" the loss of their child. Then they get back. A modest funeral takes place. Then the Go Fund Me ante goes up AGAIN. Now they have decided that since the mother is getting older (she's in her early 40s he's in his 60s) they need to save up for in-vitro should she need it. Remember the first pregnancy was unplanned. It's been a year now. He still hasn't married her. The Go fund Me went stagnant. The biggest contributor was a family member. A shill to get things moving on it I am guessing. I mean the mother of the girl would give directly wouldn't she?

So things are not always as they seem. Most likely rarely as they seem.

There are indeed professional milkers. But I do believe that there are also those genuinely in need.

I agree with Elmer. I only give to those I know personally.

A few months ago there was a tragic accident where a team of hockey players were killed or injured by a tractor-trailer. (Humboldt Broncos). The GoFund me page went wild and over 15Million was raised. No one has received any money and the survivors are desperate to have access. One is partially paralyze and needs extensive re-hab and equipment etc. There's a lot of red tape and hoops apparently to even get a portion of the money. There are also people figuring on how best to divvy the money up. Some need more money than others based on their injuries, so that's holding it up. It could also be an excuse......divvy it up equally. $1M each can go a long way towards anything needed in the future.

I was absolutely surprised and amazed when Moni set up one for me after the flood. I was even more amazed at the generosity of so many wonderful people who contributed to assist me. I still think about it and tear up. I have always lived my life with a pay it forward attitude and I have in turn done what I could for others I found deserving and in true need. I was truly blessed and extremely grateful and appreciative.

Being selective and having the choice to choose is certainly up to each person.

As I understand it, GoFundMe funds are available at the mercy/discretion of the person setting up the account. There is no guarantee that the $ will go to the intended recipients.

I think I saw one a couple months ago about “Fund my millennial to go to Europe.” No joke. It’s deleted now, or I can’t find it. That’s one thing I wouldn’t donate to. That kid is just going to Europe for fun, so why would I fund them?

Raven, it was so nice to be able to lend a bit of a hand to those who flooded. Counting our blessings because that's never happened to us here. We've had severe storms here on the coast, no water issues, and just severe wind that set us all back a little - one time. 2007. And, I'm no kid ;0) 11 years later, it's still not something I'd want to repeat. It was generous of you and our special critter loving friend to let us help.

So here's my weird Go Fund Me request that was called to my attention. A friends nephew was awarded custody of his small children and the neglectful ex ordered to pay child support. Ex wife began a Go Fund Me in the hopes of collecting money to pay that support, she was fairly certain people would find it unfair the judge expected her to contribute to their care. I didn't participate ;0)

Greedy heartless people. Worse part, to me, it's easy to lose empathy for

people and when real need comes along, it makes us suspicious. Agreeing

with those that only give to known people or circumstances.

What is sad about the GoFundMe is that some go "viral" and collect so much more than needed and sometimes to those that are marginal.

My cousin set one up for her brother who was dying of brain cancer. She did not reach a basic goal of $3,000.

Yesterday a resident in a homeless shelter with no ac asked if anyone could help them. A Go Fund me page was set up, many many people locally and from afar donated. The shelter will be all ac by tomorrow. I can't imagine how hot it had to be inside an older huge home with no ac. and many many little children. This was totally legit and the outpouring of help via individuals was amazing, people brought cooling fans for every room, food, so many extras for those less fortunate than us. This all happened via FB.

This helps restore my faith in people, Yayagal. Thank you for posting this.

So many greedy people take advantage of the system that it eventually hurts the ones who really need the help. How in the world do you have discernment about these matters? I only donate locally, because I do not know what the true circumstances are on FB. I am sure it does good. My money only goes so far and we have plenty of needs right here in our own community. That is where I choose to donate, but that is ME only.

We are pretty selective about which Go Fund Me accounts we donate to. Even then, we've been duped and felt stupid later.

Someone that I work with had a sister with cancer (supposedly) and was looking for some immediate help with bills while she was undergoing treatment and unable to work. We donated more than we could really afford because her need was great and we were healthy and with jobs.

A few weeks later on Facebook, I see that she and her daughter were away on vacation at Disney World. I always wondered if we helped fund a vacation.

It can be a good thing to help people in natural disasters and other devastating situations but I think it tends to be abused and shouldn't be used because you didn't budget your money well. Since there is no background check on the claims, I would have to know the person or know it is legit before I contribute.

OK this tops the stupid things people will set up a go fund me page for. To make Kylie Jenner a billionaire! Like she doesn't have enough millions.

http://www.businessinsider.com/kylie-jenner-gofundme-fans-crowdfunding-billionaire-2018-7

The go fund me people should not allow that kind of stupidity.

https://www.gofundme.com/let039s-get-kylie-jenner-to-a-billion

The Fat Jew (that's his name) who started this said he would contribute the remaining amount missing. Yeah right.