for March 31, 2004 Dear Readers,
I got a letter that was too derogatory and hurtful to print but that the Shopper staff felt it was important to respond to. The letter had to do with fund raising activities in small towns. While the writer had some good points about how hard it is to be fair in supporting kids in their efforts and stay within a budget, he also may have exaggerated the tactics used by these little guys to make sales. The Shopper staff felt it important to remind its readers that the purpose of these sales, whether they be popcorn sold by boys in blue uniforms or cookies by girls in brown, is not only to help fund the kids' activities. It's also to build self-confidence in shy children, and give them a lesson in presenting themselves well. Making change for a customer brings math skills into play, and dealing with other people's money demands honesty from them. Shopper staffers also pointed out that kids who lack self confidence might easier be swayed by peer pressure to do the kinds of things we parents wish they wouldn't. All of the organizations we can think of that try to raise funds by having kids sell things or get pledges are also groups that help kids in so many ways they're irreplaceable. So please, next time you're tempted to turn your head when the child asks if you'll buy a box of cookies, see if you can come up with another three dollars, or politely decline and wish them a good day. Thank you.
Annie
Dear Annie,
You're so good about reminding people to donate holiday items to the food bank, would you please ask for eggs for Easter? Thanks.
Esther
Dear Esther,
How about the dye, too? It only costs a little.
Annie
Please write to: Annie, P.O. Box 1084, Eatonville,WA 98328
E-mail: letters_annie@hotmail.com
Past Ask Annies:
Mar. 31, 2004 Kids Selling Cookies
Mar. 24, 2004 Big Girl Wants to Avoid Brother's Fancy Wedding
Mar. 17, 2004 New Manager Getting Gifts from Subordinate?
Mar. 10, 2004 Loaned Money to Roommate
Mar. 3, 2004 Complaining about Boring Older Peoples' Talk
Feb. 25, 2004 Give Kid's Items to Food Bank
Jan. 28, 2004 Bad Phone Manners
Jan. 21, 2004 Avoid Church Because of Flu?
Jan. 14, 2004 Boyfriend Breakup But Gift, Also Relative Tells Private Life
Dec. 24, 2003 Memories of Good Parents
Dec. 17, 2003 Christmas Gift for Wife?
Dec. 10, 2003 Thanks to Food Bank Helpers
Dec. 3, 2003 Child's Names on Belongings & Appreciating Family at Holidays
Nov. 26, 2003 Big Family Thanksgiving with Paper Plates
Nov. 12, 2003 Husband Driven Nuts To Do Crafts By Wife
Nov. 5, 2003 Dreading Husband's Retirement
Oct. 29, 2003 Move back home from boyfriend's house?
Oct. 22, 2003 Did I raise my daughter to do these things?
Oct. 15, 2003 Misunderstanding about School Workers' Kindness
Oct. 8, 2003 Prayer for Brown Sisters Killed and Change Schoolyear to Oct.1 to June 30
Oct. 1, 2003 Response About Non-tipping Lotto Winner
Sept. 24, 2003 Church-goers Inattentive
Sept. 17, 2003 Friend Sells My Stuff on Ebay
Sept. 10, 2003 Lottery Winner Didn't Tip Clerk
Sept. 3, 2003 Business Insults to Consumers
Aug. 27, 2003 Divison of Wedding Expense
Aug. 20, 2003 School Workers' Kindness & Men's Attractiveness
Aug. 13, 2003 Attractiveness Hints
Aug. 6, 2003 Annie's Husband's Accident at Work
July 30, 2003 Deer Automatic Sprinkler Best & Stores Don't Stock Washington Clothes
July 23, 2003 Scarecrows and Halloween Decorations Scare Off Prowlers Too
July 16, 2003 Redhead Asks Attractiveness Advice
July 2, 2002 Atomatic Deer Scarecrow Blasts Prowler