Pay to do chessed | Imamother

amother

↑ OP ↓

Tue, Jul 30 2024, 11:21 pm

Amelia Bedelia wrote:

I don't see what the problem with that ad is. They don't say you have to pay to stuff boxes. They're looking for volunteers to stuff boxes AND THEY'RE ALSO LOOKING FOR DONATIONS, which is obvious.

Nope. Pretty clear you are expected to cover the cost of boxes you stuff.

amother

↑ OP ↓

Tue, Jul 30 2024, 11:23 pm

amother NeonPink wrote:

A couple years ago I volunteered to make one of their 9 days parties. It was okay but the way it was advertised to do was completely wrong. As a host I was told that people could not stuff boxes unless they paid. At the end, I was stuck with a ton of boxes that people didn't pay to stuff. And then I was told to go and stuff for myself. I wish they were just advertise it as stuffing the boxes and if you want you can give the donation. They also had bears that year there was supposed to be stuffed and you have to pay extra to do that. My kids were left to stuff 50 bears because people didn't want to pay extra to stuff for beer. I was on their WhatsApp group and everybody was having the same problem. It would be much better if they would just say stuff the boxes stuff the bear...

Hmmm. So the poster that said the organisation will change tactics if it’s not successful (which I thought was a great point) was incorrect.

amother

↑ OP ↓

Tue, Jul 30 2024, 11:27 pm

amother Charcoal wrote:

the organization that is arranging it provides comfort to those in the hospital you should never need their services. You don't have to donate. My friend arranges one of these get togethers and I never give a donation because I don't have the funds, but I do go and stuff the boxes.

If you feel pressured to give then don't go or tell the person arranging beforehand that you would love to come but you are only coming to stuff boxes and can't give a donation at this time.

There are other ways to do the mitzvah of bikur cholim, offer rides to people, make a pot of soup for a person that just came home from the hospital, offer to watch someone's kids so they can go to a doctor etc. call up your local bikur cholim and ask how you can help out.

also, whatever you decide to do for Chessed is between you and the one above you don't have to answer to anyone there are so many types of chessed people can do and many causes to donate to.

Way too embarrassed to tell a neighbour that I’m happy to help stuff boxes for a wonderful cause but this is not where I want to earmark my tzedaka funds. Obviously she feels like this is a worthwhile organisation to fund and I wouldn’t want to dampen her enthusiasm. So that’s that.
I definitely appreciate the discussion and people’s perspectives.

amother

Oatmeal

Wed, Jul 31 2024, 12:01 am

amother NeonPink wrote:

Just want to say I was in the hospital for a week with my one and a half year old who was in isolation and she loved the teddy bear held it until we left so thank you for making them-they we’re adorable and a huge help!!

amother

Navyblue

Wed, Jul 31 2024, 12:28 am

I did this last year. A mom in my daughter's class hosted and invited the girls and their moms. They stuffed boxes and made blankets and the host set out some snacks for everyone. It was really nice to get the girls together for a chessed project rather than the usual birthday party. They're preteens and really got into it.

My shul is doing it this year as a nishei event. They listed various degrees of donations (apparently there's a raffle this year so larger donations get you more raffle tickets), but also specified that women can come pack boxes without making a donation. I'm planning on going. Sometimes it's nice to do hands on work for chessed rather than just writing a check or clicking a donate button.

amother

↑ OP

Wed, Jul 31 2024, 1:49 am

amother Navyblue wrote:

I totally agree.
I wish the marketing was, “come socialize and do chessed at the same time. For a wonderful worthy cause. All donations accepted. Please consider donating even if you can’t come.” Etc.
I would feel really happy to join and stuff, and probably would sponsor a box. But now, I feel embarrassed to ‘only’ pay for 1 box and then stand around awkwardly after I finish while others are stuffing more. So I’m not going to join. But hopefully a lot of other women feel differently and the event will be a big success for the organisation.

Bunch of Tulips

Wed, Jul 31 2024, 1:57 am

Actually I think it’s really dumb. Because there are the people who can donate money and people who can donate time and skills. So why narrow down your donations to people who want to give both? I think it’s much smarter to appeal separately and earn so many more donators.

amother

Maize

Wed, Jul 31 2024, 9:11 am

Amelia Bedelia wrote:

I don't see what the problem with that ad is. They don't say you have to pay to stuff boxes. They're looking for volunteers to stuff boxes AND THEY'RE ALSO LOOKING FOR DONATIONS, which is obvious.

Actually, there is a fee for each box to pack. Its definitely a pay to play event. You can't make a box I'd you don't donate a baseline amount of money at check in.