Posted by Dianne Terry on October 31, 1998 at 01:11:03:
Good Evening:
I've been reading the messages below about where to put our money and our best hopes. It is never easy.
This week, for the first time in what seems decades, I refused to donate money to the CDA during a neighbourhood canvas by the Lion's Club Members. I explained why and the gentleman understood. I guess I felt it was necessary to explain the 'why' of it because we get the feeling that the CDA, JDF and other major disease orgs. are the standard bearers for the diseased of the world. Well times are changing!
As for tradition - well it's Hallowe'en and there are always some who show up at the door with pillow cases and large garbage bags for their pound of candy. I make an effort to give an alternative treat. If they don't like it - they don't come back next year. However, it is interesting how my client group has grown and every last one of them remembers the 'why '. I have given tooth brushes and tooth paste, tins of pasta Scarioos, Hallowe'en pencils -(that are cheaper than any candy) and pens for their parents, Diet drinks, joke books, and puzzles . So we all get a few cheap laughs and some great sucking gasps of horror out of the evening, I have 'screaming' door mats hidden under leaves somewhere and often a rubber snake etc. on my shoulder. They can never remember the mats- but they all remember the 'WHY'. This year it is just microwave popcorn....I must have lost my edge....and so it goes! Be Safe!!