Please don't be offended by this blog, it is written strictly as a way to vent, a way to let go of the things I cannot change.. It is written so that others can get a good laugh and enjoy a smile, sometimes at my expense, sometimes at the expense of others. Read it, enjoy it and let it go...

Donations

As a small business owner we are expected to give donations sometimes on a daily basis.  I am okay with donating for that is doing my share for our economy, our communities, our lives.  

If I can give a product for a Silent Auction that nets that "Cause" some serious cash, well then I am happy to have helped.  

The hard part, when what you do isn't appreciated, by the people asking or the people receiving.  

A couple of months ago I gave a donation of a gift basket that had a value over $300.00.  It brought 3/4 of that value to the "Cause" and I thought that was a great thing.  Today the winner of that basket came in for a FREE Item that had to be picked up at the store.  While she was there picking her FREE Item, she didn't look around, wasn't interested in anything other than the FREE Item, well that is okay, because maybe my store is not every one's taste.  But before she left she said, "I have to ask, those certain items that were in the basket?  Were they collectible?  And if so can you tell me the value of them, If I am going to sell them I would like to know what they are worth....sigh.  Why? Why do I bother, to give away something nice, why do I bother to try to coax them into the store because they have no interest in buying anything....why do I bother!

Some of the best ones are these

They will ask for something for a raffle, then they will say well we really would just rather have a gift card.... and then to top it off, while you are getting the gift card they kind of look around with out walking around and say.....wow, I haven't shopped in here for years, I came here because I knew that I could get a great donation.   Seriously people.... If you don't ever shop in a LOCAL STORE and help to keep them IN Business, then what on earth ever made you think you should walk through the door and EXPECT a donation.  I will tell you what made you do it.... you are part of the hypocrisy of this world that thinks "What can you do for me"? 

WHEN are we as a nation or even personally are we going to hold ourselves responsible enough to say, what can I do to help this nation, this community, this neighbor or even MYSELF!  When do we get off the ME, ME, ME bandwagon and decide that doing for other people and helping in every way possible will bring a better nation and a better world.  When do we make our own bed and lie in it instead of blaming someone else for the fact that you cannot afford certain things, When do you take responsibility for the fact that you don't want to work but you want all the luxuries in life.... ugh... please people get real!!!!!  

The day I have to go out of business, there will be some very loyal people that will get phone calls to get the best deals first, because I have given all for the last XXX amount of years only to be torn down by overly expectant people who think that this world OWES them something.  And to all of you.... If you do not shop locally and support locally, I honestly hope that the one or ten things that you wanted from that store that is going out of business were purchased by a loyal customer so that you can't have them.  

I know that to some of you this will seem petty, but for those of you that own your own businesses and you are struggling to get by but are trying to give to all the "causes" that walk through your doors, you are the ones that should be patted on the back because you are trying to make it through the worst economical nightmare that has ever transpired and you all know just how hard you work to keep the doors open and all those customers happy.  

I know that there are more and more people lately that are trying to save Main Street USA, and to all of you, Thank you from the bottom of my heart.  If there were more of you, you could single handedly save our Main Street Communities.  You are what we need.  Our own government will not help to save the Mom and Pop Shops of America.  If you don't have over 50 employees, you don't matter to any politician.  It is YOU, yes you that matters, if only you ALL cared about what you could do to help your own community, your own town, your own neighbor, your own friends.   All it takes is YOU, and YOU, and YOU!!!!!

As Always,
A shop owner that doesn't understand why some people are so incredibly ignorant to the way of the world because they are to caught up in themselves.