What's with these guys standing in traffic to collect money in their buckets. I assume it's for their church, but it's annoying to me. I really did almost hit one this afternoon. I had to slam on breaks. He just ran right in front of me! I don't think they should be there at all. Why can't they pick a less dangerous spot?!
I found them to be VERY annoying myself. I give to charities regularly ... but I'm not about to be handing out money to any beggar on the street. Today I was making food runs back & forth to Smithfields for a catered lunch. Everytime I stopped at the light the bucket toters would come running up to my window. Even when I shook my head "no" they still walked up to my window and asked me to unroll it. I'm sure homeless kids need to be fed, just like homeless adults & elderly and so many other folks that have fallen into misfortune lately. However, because there are so many crooks & scams out there these days, I'm more selective of who I had money over to. Just because you have a bucket the says "Feed the Homeless Children" doesn't mean I'm going to hand my money over to you. Yes I give ... but only to known charities. Collecting money at a busy intersection is not only annoying, it dangerous.
:iagree: I could see them being allowed to do that for one weekend - but now its getting very irritating!! :evil:
has anyone seen the "homeless man" at swift creek and 70 by jc airport with a sign begging for money, he always seems to be there on weekends, does not look homeless!
Just as annoying as the people at the intersections asking for hand outs is all those darn people who stand out in front of almost every darn Wally world ever freakin' weekend asking for money. I tend to go through the garden center just to get into Wally world cause that's one entrance they don't stand at yet.
I saw this group the other day. One guy was just standing in the roadway at someone's door (at the traffic light) just staring at them and holding the bucket to their window. When the light turned green he didn't seem to want to get out of the way.
They were a very obnoxious group. I was really very aggravated with them by the end of the day. More than once I considered calling the Sheriff's dept./Highway Patrol to complain ... but then I thought ... what "IF" they were really volunteers working for a real charity? They "MAY" have been doing a good deed ... they were just going about it in the wrong way.
I've seen even firefighters fundraising at intersections before, so the same complaints could be directed at what some would say are worthy causes. The problem simply arises when you have overly aggresssive and/or careless people out there in traffic collecting money. They should never cross directly into traffic or stand in harm's way. You would think this would be common sense, but we know how that sometimes works out. As for the Walmart sidewalk charity fundraisers, I don't refrain from using the front door when someone is collecting. If its not something I wish to give to, I just walk in or walk out and say "no, thank you." However, my wife or I sometimes will give alittle if its a worthy cause. You don't know what they are raising money for if you don't listen to what they have to say. I don't feel bad about deciding on who I give to and who I walk past. The way I see it, the charitable spirit is something that comes from the heart and not always something you plan out beforehand. Its great to cut a check to an organization, but sometimes its good to simply reach into your pocket on the spot and offer something because your heart has been opened.
:iagree: My issue wasn't that they were collecting money "possibly" for a good cause. My problem was with their aggressive & careless behavior. They were in the middle of the road harrassing drivers. "IF" they were actually collecing money for homeless children, I applaud their efforts ... but they need to go about it in a safer, more appropriate manner. I've seen the firemen out collecting money ... and have given to them. As I stated before, I passed through that intersection numerous times on Friday and these folks seemed to have a hard time taking "no" for an answer. If I shake my head "no" they shouldn't come running into the middle of the road knocking on my drivers side window to keep on asking. "No" means "No" no matter how many times you knock on my window. What they were doing on Friday was just aggravating, stupid & dangerous. I have a hard time believing a legit charity would authorize this sort of behavior.
Truthfully, raising money by standing in the middle of the road (safely or not) is probably not a good idea in this day and age. Its presents too dangerous of a situation. Is there really a safe place to stand with cars and trucks zooming past? If a driver is distracted and its another car or a person runs out into the path of another car, it creates a needless accident and potential injury or death. On top of all that, no one wants to hit and kill another person with their automobile. That's a heavy thing to live with I'm sure.
Like others on here, I give to charities and do what I can to help those in need, but I do get aggravated at those that come right up to your car wanting money. I have even been given the bird when I didn't give anything. I am really leary because so many people are scammers. I do get aggravated at the firefighters too. I don't like them standing in the middle of the road and running to your car when the light it red. It is just so dangerous! As far as Walmart, give if I want and don't feel obligated to if I don't.
