Well, there I was out in front of Wal-Mart today. I'm wearing my yellow Smock that says "Helping the Mentally Disabled" and "Knights of Columbus" Yep, it's the beginning of that time of year...the time when we pass out tootsie rolls and accept donations giving the money to the mentally hanidcapped.
Anyhow, the way our group does it...we offer the tootsie roll to anyone that wants one...even if they don't choose to make a donation...
You wouldn't believe how many people just could not believe that we would actually just give them a tootsie roll without them giving us a donation...one guy just walked away and says "There's gotta be a catch" It took me three minutes to explain to this one woman that regardless of whether or not she gave a donation I would still give her a tootsie roll, even if she told me in advance that she wasn't going to give me a donation. I guess people really aren't used to getting something for nothing.
Sure, it's my hope that after giving them a tootsie roll they'll give a donation...but the other motive is just to get them the tootsie roll that also has the "Knights of Columbus" name on the wrapper (specially printed for the Knights). It gets us publicity.
Anyhow...to give a JW connection to this thread...about noon today some JW's came to WalMart, him in his suit, mom and daughter in their dresses, fresh from Field Service...I made a point to offer the candy when they came in and walked out...but they'd have nothing to do with me.
Anyhow...after three days we expect to have about $3000 or so. After paying for the Tootsie Rolls...about $345 80% Goes to a Center for the Handicapped here in Columbia, and 20% goes to our State Organization to fund state wide programs.
In November we do this again...except now there is no overhead because we've already paid for our 20 Cases of Tootsie Rolls...this time 80% goes to the Local Special Olympics and 20% to the State Special Olympics.
Why are people so leery when it comes to free stuff?