Posted by mom2ckis (anonymous) on December 2, 2008 at 2:29 p.m. (Suggest removal)

I think these types of programs are good as long as they are kept in perspective. I used to work with the Pike County Christmas program, and saw the kids in the program getting a lot more Christmas than my own kids, and my husband and I both worked and still work very hard. No it is not the kids fault that their parents cannot afford to give a "big" Christmas, but is that really what Christmas is about? I did not finish that year after the meeting that we all sat down and the lists were being made out as to what each child was going to get. I just could not be comfortable with giving a child a CD player when the parents did not have the money to buy CD's, it was not fair to the parents. The younger kids only asked for small things, but the older kids, who should know and understand more about "lifes surprises" pretty much asked for the world, and since it was on their lists, the program was doing everything they could to get all the items on the lists. It just wasn't fair in my book, so I could not do it. Think about it how many times have you given your own kids EVERYTHING on their lists? My kids understood that they might not get everything they wanted, but that we would try and get them a couple of the items, and they were still happy. Anything is better than nothing.

Posted by turtle (anonymous) on December 2, 2008 at 8:32 p.m. (Suggest removal)

mom2ckis I quit working with that program when I saw a woman come in to get toys for her children while they owned their own home, owned a couple of new Harleys, a brand new truck, several horses, and had just bought a big new boat. I figure if someone can afford all that they can afford Christmas for their kids. Too many people take advantage of these programs and that is why so many have stopped working with them and donating to them. Personally I would rather take the items to a family I know needs the assistance.

Posted by bdhs4 (anonymous) on December 3, 2008 at 8:39 a.m. (Suggest removal)

The two of you sound exactly like me...I thought I just had a bad attitude. The same type thing happened to me and I quit working towards anything like this. I agree...why should I work to help these people when they have things better than mine and receive checks from the government and foodstamps etc while I work and struggle to by Christmas. It's sickening. I prefer to give to the animal shelter and I support the Disabled Veterans. I would support something to help the elderly also if there is anything.

Posted by mom2ckis (anonymous) on December 3, 2008 at 11:10 a.m. (Suggest removal)

I was wondering if I had the wrong attitude all these years. I also look for families I know that need help and give directly to them. Go buy groceries, buy the kids some gifts, a couple of the families I help are the grandparents raising their grandchildren. They are retired and struggle to make ends meet as they are in their 70's, and don't have the best of health, so I help them as much as I can. I am not saying that there are NOT those who do not take advantage of the programs, because there are some who truly do try hard, and still can't make it. I think my husband and I all those many years ago made like 1500 too much. But we did what we could, and now that our kids are grown, we can do more for some we know. Thank you to bdhs4 and turtle for your comments, I am glad to see that others see what I saw as well. I still put in the kettles for the ringers, but help those in my immediately area the most. Happy Holidays to everyone, don't give up on others, just because some of the programs aren't working like they should, maybe one day they will be revamped. I would like to see a pay it forward type of thing, those who do use the programs, for them to sign up to do some work with the programs during the year to help other programs, so something like that. Not just get everything for free, in return for their effort.