How often does your volunteer fire department ask for donations? (East Meadow: to buy, school)

[corky101]

I'm in Centereach, and it used to be 1x per year, but now it's twice. They're asking $40 on upward.
Is this normal? I usually give $50 once a year, but now I'm wondering if this is normal practice.

[Kbinspections]

Once per year.

[ubering]

I volunteered at East Meadow. We never ask for a minimum.
2x a year is ridiculous. Give them $20 each time they visit and it'll be $40 a year.
Seems like they party too much.

[incivism]

At least twice a year where I am. I give $0.

[nassau2suffolk]

Twice a year. Once in my tax bill, once during their fund drive. I only pay what I have to.

[corky101]

So it looks like if I do the minimum, which amounts to $80 for the year, that would be more than the norm.

[Gene Starwind]

Originally Posted by corky101

So it looks like if I do the minimum, which amounts to $80 for the year, that would be more than the norm.

The answer to what the minimum is, is 0. If you don't like the idea or just don't want to. You are under no obligation to give anything

[NCN]

Originally Posted by corky101

I'm in Centereach, and it used to be 1x per year, but now it's twice. They're asking $40 on upward.
Is this normal? I usually give $50 once a year, but now I'm wondering if this is normal practice.

A donation is not a tax which comes in my tax bill. Since they are collecting taxes from everybody, I figure we have already paid. Give what you feel comfortable giving. I am noticing every organization is overzealous in collecting and want to make us feel guilty. When I look on the pie chart on my computer my guilt goes to 0.

I recently walked into a department store to buy a dress for my granddaughter's college graduation and was accosted as I came through the door by an organization I knew absolutely nothing about. In questioning the person collecting I found the money was not used wisely. She was not happy when I told her I give at church where I know the money goes to people who need it. She was planning to buy candy to make poor children from only one school in our county's teeth decay. I don't even give things like that to my grandchildren who are much more precious to me.

[ChalkItUp]

I would always give them $75 every year but the envelope kept coming addressed to 'Resident'. So I stopped. Down here I give $100 to ambulance fund and envelope comes addressed to me and then we get a thank you card a couple weeks later.

[deeken]

I give them $10 each time they come around due to guilt. But in all honesty why are we giving them anything? Aren't they funded by our enormous taxes?