What will you drop into the Salvation Army Bucket? UPDATE

FloridaBill

I'll start it off by dropping a MS69 PCGS 2006-W $100 Plat. I've always admired the way the Salvation Army helps the less fortunate get back on their feet, and they do it without any political agenda, and with very little "fund-raising" costs. Almost 100% of the money given gets spent on recipients.

Merry Christmas to All...

FloridaBill


Charity receives $1300 Coin

ChrisRx

1 You going to throw in a slabbed one? lol.

2 Are you crazy!?!?!

Bear

I always drop a buck in the pot. This is one

Organization that is really tops.

FloridaBill

<< <i>You going to throw in a slabbed one? lol. >>


Absolutely....It's been a good year...and honestly, I don't know how to give back better than then this......

FloridaBill

direwolf1972

Personally speaking I've always been wary of how many good large dollar items are dropped in kettles that never show up at the actual Salvation Army. I have no fault with them or any particular kettle worker. I just know human nature can be ugly even in the kindest of places.

Personally I'd rather just throw a $20 in every kettle I pass for the holiday season and call it even, were I in your position. If its spread out its less likely for there to be any temptation.

Edited to add. At least on that large of an item you will probably see it in the news and know it made it.

bluespaceant

FloridaBill

OK...thanks for the tips....I'll wrap it in soft paper towels before dropping it in....

But this is a plea to everyone else that has "had a good year". Drop a slapped special coin....

FloridaBill

ChrisRx

What are they going to do with a slabbed coin???!????

ChrisRx

And whats not to have someone that knows NOTHING about how much they are worth? What if god forbid it is brought to a bank for $100 face?
You should just throw in $100 bills.

Casey

I agree. Probably selling the coin first and contributing the cash will result in the most money for the S.A.

ms70

Strange, I'm in North Jersey & I have never seen any S/A people with the buckets. I've only seen them on TV! I don't know why, I'm just assuming I shop at times they just happen to not be out there.

direwolf1972

We went to Walmart tonight. And I commented on it being odd that they werent there. It was about 9 at night, could be thats the time they pack it up. Maybe its a small town thing but just about every major shop has someone from SA setup outside.

ChrisRx

I work in a pharmacy at a retail store... they have been out there consistently!

droopyd

Nothing. I don't give to religious charities. My donations serve needs that are unquestionably secular. From my standpoint, the Salvation Army does not have a clear track record in that regard.

rbalderman1

lol. Floridabill is funny.. But you can't drop a certified coin in thier red bins. Either sell the coin and drop that money or keep the coin and drop your money in thier. If you want to make such a contribution, wrap up your 100's in a couple $1 bills and no1 will know. Good luck and sure it's an excellent operation. My aunt worked for them this year. Enjoy the holidays.

Djord

<< <i>Nothing. I don't give to religious charities. My donations serve needs that are unquestionably secular. From my standpoint, the Salvation Army does not have a clear track record in that regard. >>



Boy that is funny since the largest contributors of food and money for people in need in this country come from religious organizations!
As far as a track record goes you may actually want to read about their track record, since you obviously speak from your arse.

http://www.salvationarmyusa.org/usn/www_usn.nsf

goose3

Nothing. I shop at Target.

cmerlo1

I've dropped 3 cleaned, circulated Morgans that I had lying around, in the kettle at the Wal-Mart by my house. I have some circulated Ikes that are next.

--Christian

lonelyp

I for one can't afford Platinum coins. So I'll have to settle for some VERY circulated silver coins. And hope they don't just wind up in rolls at a bank. I'm talking melt value stuff, that could spark intrest of newbies.

On the other hand, Jan, and Feb, may be very good months for those that search rolls.


Happy Holidays

Me

RichieURich

<< <i>Personally speaking I've always been wary of how many good large dollar items are dropped in kettles that never show up at the actual Salvation Army. I have no fault with them or any particular kettle worker. I just know human nature can be ugly even in the kindest of places. . . .

At least on that large of an item you will probably see it in the news and know it made it. >>



Maybe it will be on the news, but maybe it won't ever show up at the Salvation Army. Same thing could happen to those hundred dollar bills you're talking about. And maybe the platinum will be received by the organization, but will be sold for a pittance. But a check made out to the charitable organization of your choice, by definition, has to be received by the intended charity recipient. Also, for your tax deduction, you'll need a canceled check, as the IRS is getting much tougher on charitable contributions. Your statement "I dropped $200 in the bucket" won't fly with the IRS, and that deduction will be disallowed upon audit. And if you do deduct charitable contributions, taking the tax deduction means that you could donate more, because the tax deduction reduces your after-tax cost vs. not taking the deduction.

See your tax advisor if you need further info.

Edit to add: A super-nice gesture by you, FolridaBill!

tydye

They get my change just about every day (sometimes twice or more) its kind of like an entrance fee as I work in the places they set up at. It is kind of annoying sometimes but it is for a good cause

holeinone1972

<< <i>I'll start it off by dropping a MS69 PCGS 2006-W $100 Plat. I've always admired the way the Salvation Army helps the less fortunate get back on their feet, and they do it without any political agenda, and with very little "fund-raising" costs. Almost 100% of the money given gets spent on recipients.

Merry Christmas to All...

FlroidaBill >>



Bill, luckily there is a S A right beside my work.

Go ahead and mail me that Plat (registered of course so it's safe) and I will drop it in the bucket for you.

BobaFett72

I saw a story on the news last night that donations are down 25% this year. can't say im surprised with the housing and job market the way it is right now.

RichieURich

Man, we're having a tough time spelling "Florida" correctly. I messed it up, and even the OP made a mistake on it. Guess it's still early.

notwilight

Nothing. I choose charities that address issues that affect my family. but it is tempting when I see them ringing their bells there. I always have a 1 oz silver pocket piece or I could take a slabbed gold coin with me. --jerry

FLBuffaloHunter

Somebody already dropped a Krugerrand and gold rings in a kettle this year. I think dropping your platinum coin would definitely make the news. According to this article they sell any precious metal items that are donated to a jeweler, I commend you on your generosity, I drop some Madison Presidential dollars in the buckets Merry Christmas to you and yours!

SilverEagles92

I considered dropping some gold into one of the buckets, but how honest are those volunteers? I'd drop cash, in small bills, instead.

Horizon

A copper Liberty Dollar

ricko

The Salvation Army is my charity of choice. They always help - asking nothing in return. They are quietly present in disasters or personal crises... and they are effective. Cheers, RickO

rbalderman1

Yes, but non-coin collectors can differentiate gold from silver. I dont know if they could differentiate a platinum coin from a silver coin without inspecting the coin. That's why it's easier to give gold or cash.:&lt enjoy

sneaky

Don't drop a platinum coin in the bucket, just sell it to me for $100 and you can put that in there! I feel that would most likely be what it turns into, as more than likely it would be sold for face value so it can be liquidated.

I would love to throw a silver eagle in there, but I feel it would probably end up being equivilent to a dollar bill, so why waste the time?

I'll now throw a dollar bill in there for this thread

Mike C

FloridaBill

OK...tomorrow is the day...

Thanks for all the input. I wrapped the slap with a note advising to check the value with a few coin dealers before taking it out of the slap and depositing it! I wrapped that in in 4 one dollar bills...

Hit's the can tomorrow...

FloridaBill (XF)

droopyd

<< <i>Boy that is funny since the largest contributors of food and money for people in need in this country come from religious organizations!
As far as a track record goes you may actually want to read about their track record, since you obviously speak from your arse. >>



Yep, I speak from my "arse" all the time. I'm a regular "loo"-natic.

Lakesammman

Nothing - I'd rather document the gift and take the deduction. For every $1000 given, that's $300 less they can blow in Iraq.

WTCG

Isn't it true that something like 95% of all contributions to the Salvation Army and the United Way are used to fund their internal administrative expenses?

YaHa

A smoke bomb!!

FLBuffaloHunter

<< <i>OK...tomorrow is the day...

Thanks for all the input. I wrapped the slap with a note advising to check the value with a few coin dealers before taking it out of the slap and depositing it! I wrapped that in in 4 one dollar bills...

Hit's the can tomorrow...

FloridaBill (XF) >>


Wow, now that is quite a self-less gesture FloridaBill! Very generous of you to want to help and not expect anything in return

FloridaBill

<< <i> Isn't it true that something like 95% of all contributions to the Salvation Army and the United Way are used to fund their internal administrative expenses? >>



Absolutely true for a lot of organizations. Mike Ditkas deal took in 2.7 Million and distributed $65,000. The "overhead" at the American Red Cross is very high.

But, the Salvation Army doesn't play that game. Practically 100% of every dollar donated goes to a good cause. Even the few percent that is used internally, it is used helping people get back on their feet and learning job skills. In my mind, without a doubt the Salvation Army achieves more good done per dollar available then ANY other charity.

Small example...After Hurricane Katrina, the FIRST responders were not the American Red Cross (heavy overhead load); The first responders were not the United Fund (comment deleted).

After Hurricane Katrina, within 24 hours, there were over 100 Salvation Army workers on the spot...supplied and delivering relief....AND NOT PREACHING....JUST HELPING!

JMO

FloridaBill (XF)

options26

<< <i>Isn't it true that something like 95% of all contributions to the Salvation Army and the United Way are used to fund their internal administrative expenses? >>



The salvation Army is considered a religious organization and does not have to report it's expenses to the IRS. I would bet that it is way up there though.

droopyd

The Salvation Army is an evangelical Christian organization. I do not support this type of organization regardless of the good works it may do. There are other secular charities that also perform good works, and I choose to contribute to them instead.

droopyd

<< <i>Isn't it true that something like 95% of all contributions to the Salvation Army and the United Way are used to fund their internal administrative expenses? >>



Salvation Army and United Way are both in the range of 15%, which is actually pretty good.

SlangNRox

Keep us posted. I always to throw a gold coin in but was scared of it not making it to where it was supposed to go.

FloridaBill

<< <i>Salvation Army and United Way are both in the range of 15%, which is actually pretty good. >>



Maybe so, but the majority of the 15% overhead the SA spends is spent paying unprivileged (or unfortunate)people trying to get back into the mainstream. The majority of the 15% the UA spends is spent on UA overhead, and then the remainder 85% is distributed to other organizations, each of which have their own internal overhead cost.

As far as the Salvation Army having a religious agenda....I suspect you may be right as concerns their motivation (although I, and I'm sure many others, are supporters without any religious agenda). However, AND THIS IS IMPORTANT, when the Salvation Army helps those in need, it does so without ANY attempt to preach religion. At the time of delivering help to the needy, it's all about helping...nothing more. It is simply the most efficient delivery mechanism of help to the needy there is in America today. Even the "overhead" is helping people get back on track.

FloridaBill (XF)

tr8cer

My donations go elsewhere where they are effectively used.

TrustNo1

damn, some real nitwits on this board.

SlangNRox

Any update on the platinum coin drop?

57loaded

<< <i>OK...tomorrow is the day...

Thanks for all the input. I wrapped the slap with a note advising to check the value with a few coin dealers before taking it out of the slap and depositing it! I wrapped that in in 4 one dollar bills...

Hit's the can tomorrow...

FloridaBill (XF) >>



X~Flipper

i still think someone will just write a check for face value and walk away guilt free with a plastic slab of plat, note or no note.

from workiing with charities in the past is just best to put currency in those buckets. I know your intentions are all above board, but would just want the value of that intention to go though they proper way. or give the slab to a collector you know who is down on their luck. JMHO...you will be blessed either way....

dac076

The Salvation Army is an evangelical Christian organization. I do not support this type of organization regardless of the good works it may do. There are other secular charities that also perform good works, and I choose to contribute to them instead.

It's Christmas. Why don't you consider putting your agenda aside for a few days. Assuming of course, that you celebrate Christmas.

BigBuffaloGuy

<< <i>And whats not to have someone that knows NOTHING about how much they are worth? What if god forbid it is brought to a bank for $100 face?
You should just throw in $100 bills. >>



They know. There is a database that they can use to figure out where to sell these items. They liquidate everything, so the SA is better off if people just give them cash instead gold or platinum coins. It is a nice gesture, but the SA will net more money (unless there is a spike in metals prices) if they don't have to sell the coins they receive as the person that donated it had to pay retail, and the SA has to sell for wholesale at most places. About three or four times a year the SA will come in our store with all kinds of things -- Jewlery, Mexican money, gold coins, stamps, you name it. We just break even, but they had to spend time seperating the items, researching them, driving to our store, etc. Like I said, it is a very nice gesture, but you are better off just giving cash.

LanLord

Nothing.

<SPAN class=postbody>I wouldn't give the Salvation Army doodlysquat.

I called them years ago to donate a sofa, they said, "Great, we'll be by tomorrow morning to pick it up, just leave it on the curb". That was on a Wednesday.

Thursday shows up and no pickup. I called back and they said, "Sorry, we won't be by to pick up until Monday, just leave it on the curb".

I said, I'm not leaving it on the curb for 5 days. If you want it, come get it today.

No one picked it up so I took it to the dump. They came by on monday and ask where the couch was, I gave them directions to the dump.

Assholes, they ask for Elmo and then can't be bothered to go get it.
</SPAN>

droopyd

<< <i>It's Christmas. Why don't you consider putting your agenda aside for a few days. Assuming of course, that you celebrate Christmas. >>



I am not the OP. I did not start this agenda-laden thread.

I "observe" the secular holiday known as "Christmas." I do not "celebrate" it.