***********************An important question regarding the Christmas appeal from SOAPBOX*********************************

[andaSOAPBOXinapeartree]

I need to get peoples views on how to distribute the mountain of stuff I have received for the Christmas appeal!

Thanks to a marvellous response from several sponsors I have got loads of things here that need to be distributed for the Christmas appeal - in reality probably much more than would pass the boundaries of good taste!

Can I get your collective views as to whether I should just package the lot up and send them out, or whether MN would prefer me to hold on to some of what are quite substantial gifts for distribution during the year to those having a difficult time?

I could keep the gifts and distribute when a child is sick or when relationships break down or when birthdays come round and there is no means to pay for a gift - those kind of times when it would be nice to send a little something to the children.

I'm happy either way - so over to you to let me know which you think would be best

Can I mention Aloha again? Very quietly?

Blu
Why is it you always say what I try to say in a far more articulate way?

Hear, hear Blu

(robinpud - I know just what you mean!!)

FWIW

I think that these Companies generously donated with the intent that their contributions should be distributed between those MNers who have been nominated this year. If there is any doubt about what should happen then I suggest you get your wrapping paper out and send all the donations out now, in line with the original intent.

That way you won't deter companies from donating in future as they will know that the items have been distributed in accordance with the appeal.

To do otherwise could bring about personal problems for you Sis as it just needs one lone voice to start people pointing fingers and asking where everything went.

Close the whole appeal off by finishing what was started then everything is accounted for.

If you all decide to start an on-going thing uunder another guise then that is something ddifferent and may have to be administered differently.

Well after a fruitfull morning of packaging stuff up - all of the items are now ready to go, with the exception of a small number of toys from Redcat PLC and GLTC.

I have emailed both companies asking which route they prefer - i.e. pass them onto a charity or keep them for sending out during the year. Depending on their preferences, then I will act accordingly

If the charity route is the preferred option then I will take one box to the British Heart Foundation and one box to Cancer Research.

For no reason other than they are both easily accessible with decent parking for drop offs!

I agree that the thing should be closed and that MNers throughout the year will still be looked after. We're like that.

But Soapy, while I am all in favour of making things simple for you, would it not be better to give it to eg. women's refuge where the gifts could actually be given to needy children insead of a charity shop? Does that make sense?

Ceolas - that brings with it a different set of issues though - I'm not terribly sure where my local woman's refuge is, apart from anything else!

I'm pretty sure though that the salvation army gives gifts to the refuges - would that be a better solution?

soapbox, i have no preference where the rest of the stuff goes either way it will be going to a good cause and what ever is least work for you. I have always thought i was quite good at organising things til oi saw the size of how big this christmas appeal got. And I can say from the bottom of my heart that we will now have a lovely christmas thanks to your help, DH has just got a promotion at work so we are hoping to repay some of the kindness that we have received this year next christmas.

If you look under Women's Aid in the phone book you should find a number and they'll tell you where they are.

Just my opinion - there seem to be a lot of people on the side of hanging on to it all!

(am a recent name changer btw! )

That sounds perfect soapy

soapy - whilst i'd go witht eh keep it for future during the year, I do see the arguement on both sides - esp how you would determine who was eligable so to speak.

if it was a case of giving the items away then i'd vote to either the sally army, or preferablly the womens aid. (if either of those are ok? - as mentioned before they will be given to families who are in need)

Soapy, if you are going to give the stuff to charity. Give it to whomsoever is easiest for you to get it to in my opinion. All very well sugesting charities but you have done so much already, and with it being a very busy time of year, I personally would trust your judgement as you have already proved what a 'top bird' you are

It isn't just the ease of getting there, but also the time.

I've taken a day off today to get things sorted out - but will be at work now until Friday. If I can't get it somewhere today, then my concern is that waiting until Friday will be too late!

I've done a big sort out and it all fits in one small/medium box - so it really isn't enough to hang on to and as it is mostly new baby toys then there will be very limited use of it for giving out on here during the year.

I've heard back from GLTC who are happy for it to go to charity. They were kind enough to send me some cash to cover postage costs which I haven't needed to use - so I will be sending that to the charity which GLTC support - the Bobath Centre

Redcat PLC - who own Verbadet would prefer if it went to a charity and either of the salvation army or a womans refuge are fine as far as they are concerned

So I am going to call my local womans refuge and see if they want it - and if not then I will pass it onto the Salvation Army

Thanks for all your views - I can say that whilst I would have happily distributed the gifts during the year if that was what people wanted - I do feel that this solution is much more in line with the sentiments behind starting the appeal in the first place

yay. lots more will benefit. Well done Soapy

Soapy I like the all year thing, will be happy to help in the New Year with postage ()can't yet- garage totalled our car by mistake cso taking them to court)

You shall be beatified on MN!

Just read you reply- fair enough, sounds really sensible to me

Took a bit of searching, but found this...hope it helps Bromley Women's Aid -020 8313 9303. No address given but I guess they don't perhaps like to publicise those.

Fi

Glad its sorted.

You are fab soapbox.

Thanks sis - but I have just sorted it out - the local refuges don't let you visit - understandably!

They collect on a more regional basis and so someone from Lewisham is going to arrange to collect the goods or meet somewhere for me to pass them over.

Apparently they are inundated at the moment with offers of help and so it might not be until after Christmas - but as the lovely lady at their fundraising HQ says - after Christmas is one of the busiest times for refuges, and being able to greet new families with a small gift when they arrive, is still a lovely thing to happen when everything else is in crisis

Sounds lovely
Well done again Soapy! Glad that there others out there who will benefit from the generosity of MN, and your wonderful organisation skills!

Hurrah!

what about ronald macdonald house charity, they are brilliant my brother and sil used one of their houses when my niece was having heart surgery, they may appreciate some toys and stuff for the houses