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       #Post#: 65261--------------------------------------------------
       Donating to a friend
       By: vintagegal Date: April 7, 2021, 6:40 am
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       My turn for a question. I connected on FB with an old HS friend
       (HS was 40 years ago). She is a caregiver to a disabled grandkid
       and posted recently about them outgrowing some equipment and
       insurance only paying for upgrades every few years. I would like
       to donate some of my stimulus money to her, to be used for her
       grandkid's needs. She has never posted Gofundme's or anything
       like that, just fundraising walks etc for a national
       organization, which I have contributed to.
       Should I just send a check with an explanation, and she can
       cash it or not as she wishes? Contact her first and ask? Or do
       nothing.  I don't want her to feel embarrassed. But I would like
       to help.
       #Post#: 65264--------------------------------------------------
       Re: Donating to a friend
       By: Jem Date: April 7, 2021, 7:53 am
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       I think I would talk with her about this before sending money to
       her. Have you seen her in person or communicated over the phone
       or are you just communicating via Facebook and messenger? I also
       am a bit unclear on whether your friend is the guardian of this
       child or instead is a part-time caregiver while the parents are
       at work, for example. Does the child live with your friend? What
       kind of equipment is needed?
       Everyone is different, but I think I would probably feel a
       little awkward if someone donated money to me for a grandchild's
       needs. It could be that she (or the parents of the child???)
       doesn't even need the money and posted about the insurance
       issues because she is irritated the equipment isn't covered.
       #Post#: 65265--------------------------------------------------
       Re: Donating to a friend
       By: vintagegal Date: April 7, 2021, 7:58 am
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       I haven't seen her since HS. The parents are present and
       working, friend takes care of the kids, not sure how much.
       #Post#: 65269--------------------------------------------------
       Re: Donating to a friend
       By: lowspark Date: April 7, 2021, 8:57 am
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       Maybe don't call it a donation, but instead a gift. I would
       contact her and say you wish to give a gift to the grandchild to
       help with equipment expenses.
       #Post#: 65270--------------------------------------------------
       Re: Donating to a friend
       By: DaDancingPsych Date: April 7, 2021, 9:41 am
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       [quote author=lowspark link=topic=2027.msg65269#msg65269
       date=1617803847]
       Maybe don't call it a donation, but instead a gift. I would
       contact her and say you wish to give a gift to the grandchild to
       help with equipment expenses.
       [/quote]
       This. I was going to say the same, but as always, lowspark said
       it better! I would tell friend that I wanted to give a gift
       because they have been such a good friend and now a wonderful
       grandparent. I would talk to friend first, because then you can
       control the tone of how the gift comes across.
       #Post#: 65283--------------------------------------------------
       Re: Donating to a friend
       By: gramma dishes Date: April 7, 2021, 11:09 am
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       [quote author=Jem link=topic=2027.msg65264#msg65264
       date=1617799988]
       ...
       Everyone is different, but I think I would probably feel a
       little awkward if someone donated money to me for a grandchild's
       needs. It could be that she (or the parents of the child???)
       doesn't even need the money and posted about the insurance
       issues because she is irritated the equipment isn't covered.
       [/quote]
       I'm with Jem on this one.  We all know you and we know you'd
       never ever mean it that way, but I think if I were the
       grandmother I'd feel uncomfortable being offered personal gifts
       of money for my grandchild's equipment by someone I knew in high
       school but have had little personal contact with since.  Even if
       they really do need the money, no one wants other people
       thinking of our families as charity cases.  It's a pride thing.
       #Post#: 65298--------------------------------------------------
       Re: Donating to a friend
       By: vintagegal Date: April 7, 2021, 4:22 pm
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       yeah, I think you are right, I don't want to embarrass her. I'll
       donate to local charities instead.
       #Post#: 65302--------------------------------------------------
       Re: Donating to a friend
       By: DaDancingPsych Date: April 7, 2021, 7:07 pm
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       [quote author=vintagegal link=topic=2027.msg65298#msg65298
       date=1617830543]
       yeah, I think you are right, I don't want to embarrass her. I'll
       donate to local charities instead.
       [/quote]
       That is your safest bet. Although, you could also gift her
       something that would be a fun treat. Gift certificate to a
       restaurant that she enjoys (maybe even with grandchild) or
       something along those lines. If she is struggling with medical
       costs, those special treats are probably lesser. And if they are
       doing ok financially, they might just appreciate the gesture.
       #Post#: 65314--------------------------------------------------
       Re: Donating to a friend
       By: Gellchom Date: April 8, 2021, 6:15 am
       ---------------------------------------------------------
       [quote author=DaDancingPsych link=topic=2027.msg65270#msg65270
       date=1617806515]
       [quote author=lowspark link=topic=2027.msg65269#msg65269
       date=1617803847]
       Maybe don't call it a donation, but instead a gift. I would
       contact her and say you wish to give a gift to the grandchild to
       help with equipment expenses.
       [/quote]
       This. I was going to say the same, but as always, lowspark said
       it better! I would tell friend that I wanted to give a gift
       because they have been such a good friend and now a wonderful
       grandparent. I would talk to friend first, because then you can
       control the tone of how the gift comes across.
       [/quote]
       I agree -- lowspark nailed it.
       I think making it a gift to the child, not to the grandparent,
       is the secret sauce.
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