donations at intersections (Houston, Bandera, Cool: house, property taxes, live)

[wehotex]

Originally Posted by plwhit

Culebra Rd seems to attract outfits panhandling for money doesn't it?

Culebra and Grissom is another spot.

DeZavala & 10

281 & 1604

[L210]

I used to see panhandlers all the time at 281 and Nakoma; I'm not sure if that's still the case. There are now panhandlers at Broadway and 410. Some of them walk out or roll out in a wheelchair into the street as you're pulling up as if they have no fear of being ran over. It makes me nervous. I think the church fundraisers were worse though with them walking between the cars when there was a red light and not immediately moving out the way when the light turned green.

[SabresFanInSA]

I find it interesting that so many are being judgmental over this. Yes there are some scams out there, but in every aspect of life there are people scamming the system. There are also some legitimate causes and obviously standing out on the corner collecting donations is a proven method of obtaining funds for your organization or there wouldnt be so many doing it.

There were 4 firefighters working the corners of Tezel and Mainland last Saturday. I dont hear a peep about them. They are a government funded entity yet I dont hear anyone screaming "let the government that funds them give them more money".

Personally I'd rather they do it this way than to try to shove a freakin chocolate bar down my throat every time I turn around or some parent peddling their kid's order form in front of me every other day.

[OaklandR]

Originally Posted by davy223

It certainly is and that is a shame. That area had so much potential but all the new and *cheap* homes built around there attracted some shady people and well, as there goes(went) the neighborhood..

Thanks for calling 1604 and Culebra the "ghetto". Show me all these new cheap homes. All the new homes are in Alamo Ranch and most are selling for $200K+. I guess cheap is relative if you live in a $500K house.

Go to the poorer areas of town and tell me how many panhandlers you see.

On topic, I never give money and I would never let my daughter stand on the street asking for contributions. If her coach suggested it I would tell him what a bad idea it is.

[ged_782]

Originally Posted by SabresFanInSA

There were 4 firefighters working the corners of Tezel and Mainland last Saturday. I dont hear a peep about them. They are a government funded entity yet I dont hear anyone screaming "let the government that funds them give them more money".

That would have been for the Muscular Dystophy Association. The local media put out the word that you may see firefighters collecting donations at some street corners. That is an annual event, and the money is not for the firefighters.

I remember years ago one of the local TV news outlets did a story on these streetcorner solicitors that claim to be raising money for some charity or non-profit organiztion. They were saying it is not uncommon for the person actually out in the street collecting the money, to be entitled to keep a significant percentage of the funds they collect, per agreement with the organiztion they are raising the funds for.

But how do you know the charity is legitimate? It was suggested that instead of giving money on the spot, ask instead for an address where contributions can be mailed. Any legitimate organization should have a mailing address established, where such contributions can be received, it was stated. If the solicitor cannot provide such information, that raises a red flag, they said. If they'll take your money today, they should be willing and able to take it at a later date.

[majormadmax]

Originally Posted by ged_782

That would have been for the Muscular Dystophy Association. The local media put out the word that you may see firefighters collecting donations at some street corners. That is an annual event, and the money is not for the firefighters.

Exactly, it is well advertised that the fire department is collecting money for the MDA; it is about the only time I will give money at intersections.

[/quote]But how do you know the charity is legitimate? It was suggested that instead of giving money on the spot, ask instead for an address where contributions can be mailed. Any legitimate organization should have a mailing address established, where such contributions can be received, it was stated. If the solicitor cannot provide such information, that raises a red flag, they said. If they'll take your money today, they should be willing and able to take it at a later date.[/quote]

Great points, and honestly I question whether any school would sanction putting its students in such a dangerous situation to ask for money. If anything, it sets a bad precedence in expecting others to pay for their trip. What ever happened to the concept of earning such rewards?

And San Antonio City Code Sect. 19-8 makes it illegal to solicit anyone in a vehicle without a specific permit, and has specific requirements for anyone 17 years of age or older...

(e) Notwithstanding the other provisions of section 19-8 or any other provision in the City Code, a person seventeen (17) years of age or older may solicit employment, business or charitable contributions while standing on a traffic median, shoulder, improved shoulder, sidewalk, or the improved portion of the roadway from occupants of any vehicle on a roadway provided said person wears a florescent orange visibility vest, does not impede traffic, enters or remains in a roadway only while the controlling traffic signal prohibits vehicle movement, and has obtained a permit to do so, or who is a member of an organization which has obtained a permit to do so, from the chief of police.

You may and should ask to see a copy of the permit prior to giving any money.

In Atlanta they have gone as far as to install modified parking meters to encourage people to donate without giving money directly to the panhandlers. Attached is a picture of one. May SA needs to try that route...

Cheers! M2

[SabresFanInSA]

Basically the point I was trying to make is that collecting donations at the street corner is a proven method and if you are unsure if they are legit check them out. If they are legit, I dont see how one can say it is ok for one entity to do it and not another.

Heck I wish we could have done that back when I was a kid rather than going door to door.

[Dopo]

Originally Posted by sapphire

We just passed through Culebra and 1604, and instead of the usual "homeless" person out there, today there is a high school softball team soliciting donations for their trip to Nationals. Sorry, I think it is wrong for parents to do this. Our friends' daughter was raising money for her team.....selling brisket for $40, from the safety of her home.

Two words = Child labor
and I won't support that.

[DexterCat]

Originally Posted by sapphire

We just passed through Culebra and 1604, and instead of the usual "homeless" person out there, today there is a high school softball team soliciting donations for their trip to Nationals. Sorry, I think it is wrong for parents to do this. Our friends' daughter was raising money for her team.....selling brisket for $40, from the safety of her home. We happily bought one, but I'm not giving the roadside beggars anything. Yes, the kids need support, but there are about 20 of them out there today, and God forbid someone hits one of them.

did she have a food license? if not, shame on her for not paying for a license to do so. how do we know everything was sanitized properly? was she wearing gloves?

/see what im getting at?

[DexterCat]

Originally Posted by wehotex

I just questioned this yesterday! Every weekend, motorists are swarmed by these people. Firemen, religious groups, etc. Intersections should not be a place where you should expect to be harassed.

why do you hate firemen and the religious? i donate to both when i see them out. why wouldnt i? not only am i religious, but im smart enough to know that you dont bite the hand that comes to put out the flames when your house burns down. firemen need more support because they risk their lives to save yours when your house is on fire

give them a break, its not like theyre trying to scam you or anything.