Advice Needed: Frequent Giving

OK, I have a question. How would you handle this?

Here’s the quick story:

I work for a small business, so I run to the post office about once a day, sometimes more.

Out there are usually some people collecting money. For the past several days, it has been American Legion veterans doing the annual poppy drive.

My dad is a veteran. Also, I’m a member of the American Legion Auxiliary. So, I feel this is an organization I wish to support. Also, as a side note, the volunteers are very well into retirement age. I don’t envy their having to stand out in the hot midday sun collecting money.

I try to give as generously as I can, pitching a dollar into their can whenever I leave the post office. Often I’m the only one giving them money at all. Most people (sadly) don’t even drop in any spare change.

I have now accumulated probably a small bouquet worth of poppies. (I try to politely refuse the flower but they are pleasant and very insistent that I take one.)

Here’s the thing: Between the local rescue squad fund drive, Girl Scout cookies, alumni giving and Fill-in-the-Blank-A-Thons, I feel like I’m a little tapped out in the giving department. Like most folks, we have bills to pay. I would prefer not to give any more – for now, at least. However, it is damn hard to say know when a volunteer (especially some sad eyed, cheerleader uniform-wearing elementary schooler) asks you for your support for what is most likely a very worthy cause.

This got me to the big question:

When approached for a donation (e.g. Pee Wee League kids at the supermarket, Lion’s Club guys at a stoplight), is there a polite way to say no that won’t make you look like a big, selfish jerk?

Comments

[Brother Kojak]

For a sweetheart like you, probably not. But you could always say "I gave last week". Thats for the big-eyed, bad-ass kids. For the co-workers participating in the Fill-In-The-Blank A-thons, just be straight up "Wow. Thats a great cause, but I can't help you right now because we're a little strapped. But I can make a couple phone calls for you to see if anyone I know will sponsor you."
And for the people collecting money in the median of the big suburban street, they're just trife. Use the permanent "ig" (igonore) buttton.

[Suzette]

Gosh, you people are so polite. I usually just make some kind of crack about how its easier to get around the streets of Calcutta without being hit up.

[Jim - PRS]

Wear your poppy and point to it and smile. That will keep the Legion folks at bay. Of course, the VFW also does poppies, but they don't look like the Legion ones. You may have to wear both.

As for the others, just smile and keep walking.

[Shamrock]

I just smile and say "Sorry, I can't today." No explanation needed, and it's not rude.

[TJ]

Thank you, thank you. I will make use of all this right away.

As a side note...HA! Calcutta!

[Mr. Snitch!]

No, there IS no way to refuse such requests without looking like a jerk. And that is what this type counts on. So, what I do is: I always carry an axe when I go anywhere that I might get the touch put on me. That way, I never look like a schmuck - I look like an axe murderer. Which is something I can live with.

Also, it's great for cutting in line. By that I mean, you know, skipping ahead.