[silverleaf]

ditto here
last year I spent hundreds of dollars buying “wish gifts” for kids in the local projects
yesterday these rasist brats brought my DD to tears in school by gloating about obama and calling her parents (me) vulgar names for voting for Romney (she was unwary enough to let them know when they asked)
This year all Christmas donations go to the poor box at church or to an animal rescue organization I support

If I am going to save mongrels I might as well save grateful loving ones

[tomkat]

mongrels

Perfect descriptor !

[Betty Jane]

Unless you know exactly where your church poor box donations go, don't give to it. Many churches get a list from the local social services office, so your money goes to the same folks.

Look around you. When you go shopping, or out to eat, talk to the help. Many of those people could use some help and probably are living on less income then the welfare recipients. They don't ever get the donations. And you know they're working. Leave a large tip, give them a gas card or grocery card or find out what they need or their kids want and surprise them with it. They will appreciate your gift and they won't feel entitled to it. Find a way to give your gift anonymously if you prefer.

[bella1]

I’m also being careful of church donations, even though my church is overwhelmingly working conservatives. But still, we can get caught up in the guilt trip of “giving back” to the community. Well the community can put the cigarettes and beer down, stop buying lottery tickets, keep mass producing children without being married and take care of their own. There... i feel better now.