Need help organizing a candy f\drive/ halloween drive for kids in VA.

self | no more gore anymore

[Diva Betsy Ross]

Are there any other freepers who would like to start a candy drive/ card drive for the kids in VA. I am assuming that HAlloween is canceled in VA. I don't want to start a thread about if you agree with HAlloween, I was thinking of the kids right now who will feel left out .

Lets show the kids that there are patriots all over the country who care about them and don't just forget about what is happening in our country when the T.V. is off.

Any VA freepers who could help. I just have the idea and the desire... no contact points yet. Thanks

[Severa]

Haven't heard anything about Halloween being cancelled here in VA Beach. But your idea is a very good one. *s*

[Diva Betsy Ross]

Oh ,I was just assuming. Could be that a drive isn't needed. I just feel terrrible for those kids (everyone in area). I wish there was something I could do. Thanks for the input.

[Dems_R_Losers]

I live in Alexandria and i have heard nothing of cancelling Halloween. I have no plans to cancel it myself. I know my neighborhood and I know how to spot suspicious people or vehicles. I am not going to let this a-hole rob my children of their Halloween. Good grief. Let's get a grip here, people.

[Diva Betsy Ross]

I was really thinking of how scared the kids are right now with the whole situation. I had heard from a couple of friends in city government in the Arlington area that there was talk of it, but nothing decided. I do have a firm grip.. just trying to do something thoughful....

[Diva Betsy Ross]

I was really thinking of how scared the kids are right now with the whole situation. I had heard from a couple of friends in city government in the Arlington area that there was talk of it, but nothing decided. I do have a firm grip.. just trying to do something thoughful.... Besides sending cards to kids to let them know there is support out here is not such a horrible thing is it?

[Corin Stormhands]

Besides sending cards to kids to let them know there is support out here is not such a horrible thing is it?

I'm in Richmond. I appreciate your sentiment, but I think your suggestion is absolutely the wrong thing to do.

I had to tell my son this morning that schools were closed because of the sniper. What do I tell him tomorrow when the schools re-open?

While a card would be nice, I see it as only something else to give a kid cause to worry.

And, lets face it...would you give your kid candy mailed to them by a stranger?

Let the parents figure out Halloween. We'll do what's best for our kids.

[Diva Betsy Ross]

Wow- I am surprised that both VA freepers who have responded here have such negative things to say. I guess there really isn't room for goodwill with you two. Letting kids know that the whole world isn't bad at a time like this is a good thing to do.

If my children and I were there right now, I of course wouldn't be worring about sending them to school, I would be worried about post tramatic stress disorder, and how these events would effect my child's future view of the world.

Just my two cents....Sending cards and gifts to show support to those involved with stressful circumstances is nothing new. Perhaps to you two it is however.

I am sorry for that .

I think there must be churches, schools and community offices that would collect and hand out cards / gifts to children whose parents would accept goodwill and thoughtful gestures. To be sure, the whole world is not as cyncial as you two.

[maxwell]

Well add a third "cynical" VA FReeper. Why should H'ween be canceled for the kiddies? I ain't heard nothing about that. Just don't take 'em out on I-95, for Gawd's sake. My neighborhood is as safe, or unsafe, as it's always been. You wanna teach kids to live in fear? And yep, if you start mailing candy to random kids, you'll probly end up with a LEO on yer doorstep...

$0.02

[Diva Betsy Ross]

Oh please, I did not say I want to cancel halloween... I did not even say I thought it was unsafe to trick or treat.

I said I had assumed ( my bad) trick or treat would be cancelled because I heard some talk of it. I thought it would be too bad for the parents and kids.

Man... You missed the whole point. But then again what can I expect from some people in this day and age. I am not just talking about trick or treat, or candy.

I am talking about something you gouhls will never understand. It is called love of counrty, goodwill towards man, united we stand .

Anyway I have other contacts in Arlington who have emailed me who are excited about the idea. I thank the other true blue conservatives on this board who understand my point, not just for helping ,but for restoring my faith in VA humankind. Happy Halloween!

[Corin Stormhands]

You know, I actually toned down my post to you. I thought I was being quite civil.

Like I said, I appreciate the sentiment. I know your intentions are good.

But you can say what you would do in a situation like this. Write me again when you are in a situation like this.

Churches in our area already provide alternatives to Halloween. They may rethink them, move them inside, etc.

But do you really believe I'd give my kid a card from a total stranger that says, "Thinking of you. Hope you don't get shot."

Catch a clue. I'm not cynical. I just recognize a stupid idea when I see it.

[Katya]

While appreciating your sentiments...my eight year old will be trick or treating in Arlington, Virginia with friends.... and I live across the river in Maryland. I'm pretty pragmatic...the chances of getting hit by the sniper, rival the odds of winning the local lottery.

[Diva Betsy Ross]

I have been in a situation like this , that is how I came up with the idea. I lived in Hollywood durring the LA riots. Given it was not halloween, however we had the sense tht the rest of the country could care less that we were afraid to go out of house . Everyone was watching on T.V. and getting their entertainment from the nightly news while we lived in a very stressful and depressing situation. I had two neighbors attacked while drivng home from work. I had to shut all of my windows because smoke from burning buildings was filling up my apartment. We had nightly curfews and the National Gaurd told us to go home from shopping in the middle of the day.

I was merely thinking of extending empathy across to our fellow younger citizens ,who may be thinking the whole world stinks because nothing is normal anymore. I am so sorry for you. You really don't get it do you. It is a great idea. I hope somehow you can think of what this looks like to a kid, your kid, any kid, and stop thinking only of yourself.

BTW I asked for help in organizing something that may be useful to other people than you and your family, not someone to piss and moan about what a bad idea it is to try and do something. I am gald I don't follow your lead. Anyone can just sit around and critize others. It takes leadership and empathy to try something new, and to hold out a hand to others.

How about a card that says, durring this stressful time you and your families are in our prayers. It may seem like things will never be normal again, but try to remember that time heals all wounds and ,in time things will get back to normal for you. We care about you. God Bless America.

I am sure that is too "stupid" for you though.

[Overtaxed]

I was merely thinking of extending empathy across to our fellow younger citizens

While empathy is nice, it'd probably be more helpful to send some kevlar vests.

[Corin Stormhands]

Look, you misread my original intent. I do appreciate your concern. If you must send something, send it to the victim's families or send it to the police offiers or the medical staff.

My kids are out of school again tomorrow. This time because the news is reporting that schools have "credible information" that they should be closed.

A little more than a year ago I was dealing with my son being afraid to take the dog out in the back yard at night because he heard an airplane. He knew the planes had been grounded. But I explained to him that we're located between several major military installations and that he was hearing military planes.

I'm sure that even during the L.A. riots you knew there were places you shouldn't go. We don't have that luxury. ALL of the shootings have been in "safe" zones.

My kid watches tv and wonders if he'll make it to math class or if mom will make it back from the grocery store. As an adult I understand the odds, but I'm still looking over my shoulder.

A lot of our kids (and adults) are scared.

But a bag of Snickers won't help that.

[Diva Betsy Ross]

During the LA riots we were not at all sure where the next attck was comming from. There was widespread shooting and looting from Watts to Hollywood to Bel Aire. We went to the grocery store in groups and escorted each other out to walk dogs with guns. The shootings were random and there was more than one shooter. You want to talk about fear... There were plently who were afraid. But see, you make my point.

I bet durring the LA riots you never thought about the amount of fear that gripped my community. I bet you never thought about the kids in my neighborhood who thought the world was comming to end and that nothing made sense to them.

No, a bag a of snickers would not help you . But you know that is not what we are talking about right now. We are talking about reaching out in some way, allbeit small, to give support to people going through a scary and very difficult time. I suspect playing the martyr is more to your liking. I did not mis-read your intent. You told me to get a clue and that my idea was "stupid" among other rude things. Please stop trying to back peddle. If you are hurt and scared you ought to be. I would be too. The issue here is that you don't have to piss on everyone else just because you are afraid. We have all been in scary circumstances... We are all scared of things that are going on in the world, you will get through it too. Everyone has some connection to Sept. 11 and most everyone was ,and is still afraid of the possibility of furhter attacks.

Hopefuly ,the American way is to ban togehter to try and help each other through it, not name call and whine and try to own the fear of everyone else.

Still I pray for your son and your family and hope that you all can find some peace. I know how it feels, and I would not want anyone else esp. the kids to be that scared . May God watch over your family and protect you and your friends and family.

May you heal from the stress and fear you have come to know over the past few weeks. It could take awhile before you feel "normal" again. It is called post traumatic stress and there are many , many other people who have experienced it. You will recover in time.