Most days, Jeff's mailbox looks something like this.
Jeff’s Bitch:
We’ve heard a lot lately about the post office going broke. I’ve always thought it moved mail pretty effectively, but there are times I almost wish they didn’t. Between junk mail and charity groups, there are days I swear my mailbox is going to come unhinged from my house.
Although their cause is often noble, charities use mailing lists they buy (and probably sell as well). They then proceed to bombard us with endless solicitations. I must look like Donald Trump to these people because the sheer volume of mail I receive on a daily basis is staggering! I’ve never actually crunched the numbers, but I would guess it’s about 7-10 letters per day!
It’s time for charities to reinvent how they attract donations. I’ve been so overwhelmed this year that I’ve narrowed it down to a few groups like Shriners Hospitals for Children, St Jude’s, Children’s Miracle Network and Children International (I’m a sucker for the kids’ causes). After that, I become fatigued.
Add in junk mail and catalogues, you’re talking about one unhappy, bent-over mailman climbing up my front steps. Hey, I find the Brookstone catalogue interesting, but I don’t need a new one every three weeks. And if you if you order any type of nutritional or workout supplements by mail, you’ll get a nice cardio burn opening all the solicitations you’re about to start receiving. And God help you if you ever order any porn or sex-related product by mail (I swear it was for a friend!).
And the problem may only get worse for charities since President Obama wants to eliminate tax deductions for charitable donations. As for mail-order companies, maybe our anemic economy will simply make it too expensive to continue to do repeated mass mailings? Oops, gotta run. My mailman is halfway up my steps and looks like he’s about to have a stroke. Must be catalogue day!
Amanda’s Brag:
I hope you have had a wonderful holiday season so far and plan to ring in the new year with lots of love and laughter surrounding you. Reflecting on this past Christmas makes me feel so warm inside. It might have something to do with getting older, but this was the first year that I personally took the time to soak it all in, appreciate the time spent with family and friends, give back to others and recognize memories in the making.
The one thing that really hit me this year more than ever before is how much need there is around us and just how much people step up to give back. Seeing as the economy is down and more and more people are struggling, this year could have been a year that wishes went unfulfilled and those who need, went without — but it just wasn’t that way.
The whole Kmart layaway angel story that began across the country and ended up here in NEPA is just remarkable. People who reach out to help others when they need it the most are truly angels. I first read about someone walking into a Kmart in Michigan to pay off the layaway of a family with lots of toys for young kids and thought about how generous that gesture was. It didn’t even cross my mind that that one pay-it-forward action would catch on to the point that it started happening right here in our neighborhoods.
We read so much bad news and hear about so many negative things in our communities that stories of life happenings like this are so big — and a perfect reminder that there are good people around us, too.
In whatever way you chose to give back this holiday season, thank you for making a difference and reminding those around you that there are good hearts in NEPA. Wishing you a happy holiday season, a memorable New Year’s Eve and a blessed and happy 2012!
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