Mama Geek Posted February 13, 2013 Share Posted February 13, 2013 I just got an e-mail from a high school friends son asking for money to take a trip overseas. I have exchanged Christmas cards for years with the friend, but I haven't seen or talked to her in probably 10 years. Her son was maybe a year old when I saw him. Really kind of strange, what would you do? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest inoubliable Posted February 13, 2013 Share Posted February 13, 2013 Nope. Not "kind of". "Definitely". Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Reflections Posted February 13, 2013 Share Posted February 13, 2013 The nicest response I could muster would be to ignore it. Today must be bizarre behavior day. :blink: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TranquilMind Posted February 13, 2013 Share Posted February 13, 2013 I just got an e-mail from a high school friends son asking for money to take a trip overseas. I have exchanged Christmas cards for years with the friend, but I haven't seen or talked to her in probably 10 years. Her son was maybe a year old when I saw him. Really kind of strange, what would you do? Bold move on his part. But this kind of grinding of every acquaintance you've ever had is encouraged today. I'd be so tempted to tell him to get a job and save all his money. If he accomplishes that and is close to his goal, I'd consider pitching in. But just to canvass people to give him money. Um, no. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tearose Posted February 13, 2013 Share Posted February 13, 2013 I'm assuming it's a mass email, so I'd feel fine ignoring it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dandelion Posted February 13, 2013 Share Posted February 13, 2013 I'd either ignore it, or just say something like "Thanks for telling me about your trip! It sounds exciting. Unfortunately, I won't be able to contribute but I hope you have a wonderful time." This kind of thing is becoming more common, unfortunately. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
happi duck Posted February 13, 2013 Share Posted February 13, 2013 Is it with a group or is it a service trip? If it's just a personal trip then...weird. If it is with a group they might be getting pressure to fundraise and even be encouraged to 'ask everyone' and 'send an email to every address you have'. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Elinor Everywhere Posted February 13, 2013 Share Posted February 13, 2013 My son just brought home his high school ROTC fundraiser, which is a jog-athon, and included was a sheet of paper suggesting people to hit up for donations. It was quite extensive, and included everyone a child might possibly know, including house keepers, gardeners, and auto mechanics! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tammyla Posted February 13, 2013 Share Posted February 13, 2013 I would ignore it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mama Geek Posted February 13, 2013 Author Share Posted February 13, 2013 Is it with a group or is it a service trip? If it's just a personal trip then...weird. If it is with a group they might be getting pressure to fundraise and even be encouraged to 'ask everyone' and 'send an email to every address you have'. He is going as a student ambassador through some program. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mama Geek Posted February 13, 2013 Author Share Posted February 13, 2013 I am getting more and more against fundraising. If you can't come close to being able to afford to do something like this without having to ask everyone that you know for money why sign your kid up for it. My guess is the kid is too young to hold down a regular job. I am not against helping people out, we have helped out several different people in much different situations, some that were in dire need and some that worked hard in school and continued on to higher education. But we actually have relationships with these people. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wildcat Posted February 13, 2013 Share Posted February 13, 2013 nm Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mrs Mungo Posted February 13, 2013 Share Posted February 13, 2013 He is going as a student ambassador through some program. People to people? We got one of these yesterday from an acquaintance we knew 10 years ago in Germany. They must tell people to send them to everyone they have ever met. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wildcat Posted February 13, 2013 Share Posted February 13, 2013 nm Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lavender's green Posted February 14, 2013 Share Posted February 14, 2013 Best to just assume it was a mass email because the organization is pressuring the kids to ask everyone they know, and just ignore it. I get pretty sick of these things too, especially since it's often (but not always) just a resume-building feel-good glorified vacation. Pay for it yourself. That's what I do/did when I want to travel. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Starr Posted February 14, 2013 Share Posted February 14, 2013 And then your dc can ask them for money so they might as well just pay for their own child. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Parrothead Posted February 14, 2013 Share Posted February 14, 2013 And then your dc can ask them for money so they might as well just pay for their own child. Yeah, exactly. When they pay for mine, I'll pay for theirs. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mommyof4ks Posted February 14, 2013 Share Posted February 14, 2013 I guess I am in the minority. I would send $20 or whatever I could afford. Those opportunities are great for kids. I have three kids, and if they all went on a $2500 trip to learn about another culture or something I could not afford to send them all. Schools ususally do fundraisers to send kids on band trips and other events, so this seems normal to me. If we all help each other out a little bit, then our kids can do some awesome things to help them learn and grow. Just my .02 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mama Geek Posted February 14, 2013 Author Share Posted February 14, 2013 People to people? We got one of these yesterday from an acquaintance we knew 10 years ago in Germany. They must tell people to send them to everyone they have ever met. Yes this is the group. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mama Geek Posted February 14, 2013 Author Share Posted February 14, 2013 I guess I am in the minority. I would send $20 or whatever I could afford. Those opportunities are great for kids. I have three kids, and if they all went on a $2500 trip to learn about another culture or something I could not afford to send them all. Schools ususally do fundraisers to send kids on band trips and other events, so this seems normal to me. If we all help each other out a little bit, then our kids can do some awesome things to help them learn and grow. Just my .02 Like I said I don't mind helping someone out. If a kid that I am close to calls me and says hey, I really want to go to Europe and I have the chance to but am short X amount of money, I would probably send them some. This was pretty much a form letter from someone that I met when they were a baby and whose parents I haven't talked to in years other than by Christmas cards. I would also much rather pay for my kid to be in an activity than to have to do fund raising Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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