Fundraisers

Since today is Valentine's Day, I am pondering the benefits and delights of chocolate, so that made me think of fundraisers. 

Working among children, I used to be a real sucker for fundraising efforts.  Or at home, when those little faces would knock on the door selling cookies, peanuts, or candy, I usually caved.  I still stop at every lemonade stand I see.  Perhaps some of my weakness for little salespeople comes from my own appreciation of neighbors growing up who kindly purchased greeting cards, all-purpose cleaner (we sold it for band; the director thought it was something different and practical), lemonade, etc. from me.

Part of simplifying is NOT bringing more unneeded things into our homes.  I recently received an e-mail for a Pampered Chef catalog party that will be a fundraiser for something I think deserves to be funded.  While I love all of their products, I really have each thing I need and have worked hard to unclutter my kitchen.  A good alternative is to just donate money to the cause.  Through the fundraiser, the group will get 20% of the proceeds.  Why don't I just give and they can keep 100% of the money? 

Consider donating money which will help the needy group the most in these cases, especially if what they are selling is nothing you need.