Would You Like To Donate to....?
I'd be a disaster in door to door sales. I could never even muster up what it took to sell Girl Guide Cookies and those sold themselves.
I belonged to a support group for Chronic Fatigue and Fibromyalgia and I always joked that the meetings were poorly attended because most people were just too tired to go! I was supposed to sell 1 book of 10 raffle tickets and I'd end up buying them all myself because I hated asking people for donations for anything.
In this day of mega canvassing for all the various health-related charities, I figure people are burdened already with donations. We all have our causes that we support yearly. Cancer Society and Heart and Stroke are pretty much givens. The Kidney Foundation and Blind Institutes also receive many regular donations.
This year, I was asked to canvass for The Canadian Diabetes Association and I said yes, although now that I have received the package of materials, (still sealed!) I am a little reluctant. I have a hard time "selling myself". I guess I don't really believe in bothering people in their homes either.
I became diabetic at age 13 under fairly dramatic circumstances; it was not diagnosed until I went into a coma and didn't awake for 7 days. My kidneys shut down and my life was in peril. There was some kind of miraculous "coming back" after doctors phoned my parents to tell them they were losing me. I survived to see my 14th birthday a few days later. (And my 52nd much, much later!)
I was in the hospital for 3 months and at home for 3 months during which my Gr. 9 teachers came to my house weekly for tutoring. I recovered fully and life has gone on ever since. Of course, I have had several long-term complications such as eye problems and neuropathy, and 8 months ago had a mild heart attack with a stent put in one blocked artery. Life has resumed in my new reality and I am lucky to have that.
So why do I feel apologetic asking for donations to a personally worthwhile cause and one that has touched almost everyone? Heck, I should be the walking spokesperson for this condition.
I will open the envelope and sort out the materials today. Then, I will take a big breath as I ring the first doorbell, looking down at myself just to make sure I'm not wearing my Brownie uniform!
Wish me luck. Hope there are no scary dogs!
Mother of Invention, just a little apprehensive and kinda wishing I had a few boxes of those delicious cookies with me!
posted by Mother of Invention at 8:09 AM
22 Comments:
Good luck!
Monday, October 23, 2006
Know exactly how you mean about selling raffles - I always end up buying them myself too!
Also, about going door to door... at one point I sold perfumes, and always worried that the next person's door I knocked on would be opened to reveal the grumpiest, most violent, bigotted, uncaring person on the planet! Funnily enough, I only ever experienced one grumpy man, who didn't even bother with civilities.
Apart from him, though, I found many people just loved to talk (sign of our society today that people are half-starved for 'real' conversation) and was even asked in for tea and cookies in a couple of places!!! :-)
Thing is, you sound like a sensitive person. As long as you harden yourself to people saying 'no', most will actually say 'sorry', because they'd like to. Don't feel guilty for interrupting their lives, nor for asking - you are doing something really good, for a charity that means something to you. Even a dollar will be gratefully received.
And you shouldn't feel bad if you come back with absolutely nothing apart from the handful of little coins you stuck in in the first place (to provide an authentic 0ther-people-have-given-so-you-might-like-to-too rattle :-) )You will have done your best, and no-one can ask more of you than that!
Do it with a smile (apart from people wondering what you're so darned happy about, they are so grateful for a smile - cheers them right up!) and it'll be ok!
Good Luck with it!!
Tuesday, October 24, 2006
You'll be great! But I understand, I'm the say way. I hate to ask for anything. I think there is a strong incidence of endocrine problems lining with CFS and Fibromayalgia. I also have had autoimmune hyper thyroid...still make antibodies. It was while being treated for that that I discovered diabetes is also treated by endocrinologists. So I'm guessing that CFS and F strike those whose immune systems are already compromised.
Tuesday, October 24, 2006
Teri: Thanks! I'll do me best!
Annelisa: Thanks for visiting and making such a thoughtful comment!
I'm going to have to muster up the courage and whatever else to get myself out there. It's only 40 houses and mostly on my street in our average to small sized town. Some are stores and apts which I'm not keen on, as it's a main street.
I'll be smiling 'cause I usually am anyway. Heck, I may even go in for tea if invited! I'll probably hear all the connections people have to those with Diabetes.
Thanks, again!
Keep writing poetry!
Colleen: Thanks. You're right, diabetes is an autoimmune condition too. I have a bit of Hypo-active thyroid and that's connected too. Some days, fibro is my biggest PAIN!! Especially first thing in the morning. Hot tub helps.
Well, I've opened the package already at least and plan to go out tomorrow.
Tuesday, October 24, 2006
What a story about your diabetes onset. Wow. I wonder what happened at the deepest levels of your mind during those seven days of coma? Some serious negotiating, no doubt! Great story. Good luck with your sales.
Tuesday, October 24, 2006
I do wish you the best of luck and people willing to give. Thanks also for the story about your encounter with diabeties. Is it my imagination or are the Girl Scout cookies not as good as they used to be?
Tuesday, October 24, 2006
I am like you, I don't want to bother people. I figure it is enough to simply tell people something and have them come to a reasoned decision about it.
When I was a kid, selling didn't seem to be too big a deal. I guess I hadn't received sufficient rejection to know it was hard work. I remember one year our cub scout group sold light bulbs door to door. I was pretty enthusiastic. Same for soliciting for UNICEF and selling poppies and stuff. But, as I got older, I lost interest in it. My innocent enthusiasm faded.
On the other hand, whenever I have had to canvas in recent years, I just go ahead and do it and discover that it really wasn't as bad as I imagined.
Mind you, I do dislike the constant selling of chocolate bars and stuff the kids bring from school. I would prefer that the school simply ask for donations. The most recent is the kids gymnastic club is selling boxes of oranges for $36 to raise money. Why don’t they just levy a $10 facilities maintenance fee? One thing I have learned is that while people are averse to price increases, they tend not to mind an additional fee or two (if it makes sense). Let’s face it, would you prefer to pay $50 for a product with free shipping or $40 with $10 shipping? I think most people will go for the second.
There are so many diseases out there and so much money raised for them and yet progress seems so pitifully slow. Interesting opinion piece on why we are losing the war on cancer here.
Tuesday, October 24, 2006
You need to take me with you!!! I am the best at this sort of thing. Just finished the Band 'March-a-Thon" and I collected about 800 dollars on the route because i am NOT TOO PROUD TO BEG!!!
I even had a little old lady try to donate her CAT!!!
Just be unabashed and unapologetic and remember that these people want to help and its up to you to give them every opportunity to do so!!!
Tuesday, October 24, 2006
Reya:
All kinds of things, I imagine, and I still bargain and negotiate! One theory I have of why I am so sensitive to everything around me, is that perhaps I was on the other side for a moment and must have picked up some extra feeling for this world and all that is in it and brought it back with me. Who knows...I do seem to get a lot more depth and feeling out of many things than most do.
Thanks!
Stephen:
Thanks, Stephen. Yes, it was quite an unusual story even for 1967. Now , the doctors would probably get sued for not doing a blood or urine test to diagnose it earlier.
Well, I'm thinkin' it's your imagination because I still love those cookies,especially the new mint ones, but remember, you're asking a diabetic and we love all sweet things! HA! At diabetic summer camp, we used to kid around and tell diabetic jokes like,"What did the diabetic say when his hamburger dropped on the floor?"
"Pass the ketchup!" HA!
Richard:
You must not have been as shy as I was as a kid! I hope you're right about it not being too bad.
A lot of parents feel as you do on the chocolate bars etc. We did away with that since chocolate is unhealthy and for safety reasons, the kids aren't allowed to go to doors. Many would rather just pay and save the hassle. But I guess it does teach the kids the idea of working and contributing to causes.
Not sure how that free shipping vs all included same cost thing would work. People like to think they're getting something free, but also like the cheaper price. I know people's money is spread thin ove many medical causes. As a health care professional, my husband gets hit for just about everything. Most people have already sorted out to which ones they regularly contribute so if Diabetes is not on the list, I'm not sure they'll give. I'll see!
(I just skimmed that lengthy article! Just hope the $$ goes to the place it can make a difference the quickest and where needed most. It's a huge multi-faceted issue.)
Steve:
When can you get here?!! HA! I was just thinking how much nicer it would be to go with a buddy and then I saw your comment! I can imagine how you're dynamite at such things, but then again, you have a strong vested interest in your daughter's activities.
(I might have been tempted to take the cat if it was pretty and had spunk!)
Thanks!
Tuesday, October 24, 2006
You sound like the sort of person I'd invite in for a cuppa! :-)
[Shame you live across the sea...] -
We could chat about our hypothyroids
(I have that too) or not, as the case may be.
And, no, I'm not a teacher, but a science technician,
who gives thanks for your comments about my poetry!
Tuesday, October 24, 2006
Annelisa: Thanks for the invitation anyway! Sounds nice!
You must be a very balanced, "all round brained" person as one who writes so well and with such feeling and emotion, and a science type person as well. I'm pretty well one-sided with the arts-creative type thinking. My husband is the science guy!
Thanks.
Tuesday, October 24, 2006
Gad, i hate asking people for money. I did it for the Breast Cancer 3-Day walk, and after i ran out of relatives, i donated the rest myself. I understand! Good luck.
Tuesday, October 24, 2006
Thanks for sharing your story and I really admire your guts for doing this. But then again it's for a good course and I am sure people will understand and welcome you - even more than you would think.
We had a national volunteer collection day (a yearly event) for Medicines Sans Frontiers on Sunday and they collected almost 200 000 000 NOK or more than 5 US $ pr. capita.
Good luck to you!
Wednesday, October 25, 2006
Meno: We're so on the same page!
Renny: Thanks! It is a good cause I can certainly relate to! Wow! That's a huge collection for Doctors Without Borders!
Wednesday, October 25, 2006
You are doing a good thing. Can I make a contribution?
Wednesday, October 25, 2006
I am like you. Shy to get out there and shake the money maker so to speak. Maybe you can set up a table in your husband's office?
Wednesday, October 25, 2006
Barbara: Yes, true. You'd have to live on my street to contribute! They give you a map and you have to go to the designated houses. But thanks!
Old Lady: I feel like I'm soliciting and I know I hate when people come to my door. I probably don't believe in it anymore. People have lots of opportunity to donate to medical causes, like at funerals etc.
Good idea about my husband's office, although the locals may be canvassed a few streets away anyway.
Thursday, October 26, 2006
Have you managed to 'hit the streets' yet? :-)
Sunday, October 29, 2006
Annelisa: I did on Fri. for a bit, but I wasn't that into it and they gave me my own street which is almost all businesses! Most people running shops hate soliciting so I'm not going to hit them there. If they're locals, they'll get canvassed at their house. I did get some though from the houses near me! I'm beginning to think I don't agree with the method of door to door. I think people hate to be bothered any time, especially if they are on shift work as they are in this town. (Many work for Honda) We can all donate to health causes instead of sending flowers to funerals.
Sunday, October 29, 2006
You will do absolutely fine. You'll have a great presentation and you'll get the donations you need. Here's the trick about sales - most of the time, all you have to do is ask. Think of the fact that if you don't ask - no one is going to come along and do it for you. Start with a line to grab your people's attention that tells the benefit to others if they donate. Use your personal experience if you feel comfortable. And just ask for the donation. Can't tell you the number of times I've heard a great pitch for a product/service/organization and the sales person never bothered to say, "Can I sign you up?" You'll do great!
Wednesday, November 01, 2006
Brooksba: You can tell you have had experience! Thanks! You're probably right. I just have to make myself do it. I've actually hit a few diabetics already! I feel comfortable with sharing my story.
Wednesday, November 01, 2006
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Wednesday, November 30, 2016
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