Coins for Tots

The question implies selling the coin or coins from your collection and then using that money.

PS GreatWalrus, are you a grinch?

 

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Voted Yes. But only in the sense of "Yes, if that was the very last option".

Christian

 

Although I enjoy numismatics, seeing the excitement of a young child opening up a Christmas present is priceless. Yes vote for me. TC

 

If the only way for the child to receive gifts was for me to sell some coins, then of course I would... otherwise I would use normal money. This is a really hypothetical question.

Why would you post this poll with those 2 options, then call someone a grinch for choosing one of them?

 

Ugh...so unfair. I voted yes but I've got voter's remorse.

 

There is different 'toys for' charities that I give monetary donations too each year or toys this is usually in my local community.
The reason for this I will say however is this and I don't know if this is the case everywhere with this organization, so I'm going to generalize without naming specific names. A few years ago when I was a working as the LP/Safety manager for a large store chain and corporation we would have a toy drive with tree in store. Now I actually went so far as being our store volunteer with this 'charity' for three years in a row. I witnessed first hand people buy specific gifts based on a 'certain criteria' some of these gifts were quite expensive and our location would usually chip in between employees and corporate would match and we would purchase a good amount of these gifts ourselves. This was about five years ago the last time I did so needless to say we donated a significant number of certain in demand video game systems, hot toys, gifts, gift cards, etc. I actually also went and volunteered with the gift handouts for two years. This was an event basically using the local national guards HQ and filling it with toys and then having people come in and select gifts off tables based off tickets provided to each person coming in at the door. (These people were vetted some how through a process to determine need I guess) However, I was kind of appalled when I found out that pretty much all of the very nice high value gifts that were requested and we as employees, the company and our consumers had provided weren't present on these tables at all. It was rather an assortment of bulk what I kind of considered cheap type toys and gifts that parents were able to select from. After inquiring about this I was able to discover that the 'charity' actually kept these specific requested gifts and then auctioned or sold them as someone I talked to informed me, to raise funds to buy these more generic gifts in bulk quantities with the supposed funds. This really bothered me the last year as I personally donated my entire holiday bonus to buying gifts off this tree and got all my fellow management staff to match what I did. After this occurred I brought this issue to my regional store manager and he took it further up the chain and our company actually ended our affiliated with this organization the next year and instead we set up a tree and provided gifts for local community charities that actually distributed the gifts we supplied or our customers did to actual children that requested them. Knowing what I know about this which some people may not consider a big deal I would be very cautious about donating coins from my collection to a large organization.

However, I would certainly sell or donate coins to provide for childreni if necessary but only through a local charity. In fact I do this every year with my wife and my brother and his girlfriend for a family in our general community anyways. The further reasoning is my brother and I spent a number of years in foster care due to the death of my mother when I was 12,my brother 8. Due to various reasons my father was considered unfit for and my mothers family pretty much considering us dead with her. Although I'm incredibly thankful that my brother and I weren't separated form each other. We both spent many a holiday, birthday, etc receiving nothing as gifts and I know that's not the meaning of holidays,etc. But I really feel no child should have to experience what my brother and I did as youth which is why we donate the way I do each year. Kind of got of on a tangent there, but I would have no problem liquidating almost every coin in my collection besides the ones found metal detecting with my father to provide gifts for a child in need somewhere.

 

No, but not because I'm not generous or willing to part with my coins, but because I think it would be inefficient - that my gift would bear pennies on the dollar. I'd rather sell a coin, and donate that money, as I think it would have more impact than if I gift the coin itself.

 

Not calling you a grinch, just asking. I meant no offense, just asking in a kidding manner.

 

No, I would rather donate the money or just simply buy the toy and donate it directly. Besides do we really want more horror stories and pictures of a shady Santa holding a proof coin incorrectly or cleaning it 'for the children'

 

Again, this is a do or die situation. There is no more money left in your wallet and it comes down to if a child is going to have a present on Christmas, you would have to sell a coin or coins to raise the funds to purchase that child a gift - would you?

 

JW, you ain't got no voter's remorse. Under the scenario, you made sure a child had a present on Christmas.

 

I voted yes, but it isn't that simple. I probably wouldn't take a Gold Eagle and toss it in a Toys-for-Tots box. But if I knew there was a kid that was in need of a Christmas present, and I knew they had an interest in coins, then sure, I'd give him or her a nice coin. Our office usually sponsors a family through Family Promise. I spent $50 on that this year and if one of the family members had expressed an interest in coins, I probably wouldn't have thought twice about giving them a $50 coin instead of the $50 Target gift card that I signed up for.

I give a lot of coins away, that's one of the reasons I like to buy them. But I usually only give them to close family and friends, or people that I think have earned them. For example, last night at my daughters symphony band concert, I gave two ASE's to two students that I think really gave 100%. I love seeing the look on teenagers faces when they hold an ASE for the first time and wonder "What the heck is this?"

 

C'mon, still 5 more days to vote.

PS Anybody interested in what I did or what I would do?

 

Yep, I'm interested. I can PM you the address to send your donation to as well LGL...

 

I would. I would sell off some slabbed coins and then use the money for a child in need. I am definitely no hero or super cool dude because I know probably everyone here at CT does similar things, but this morning I dropped off (DO NO LAUGH) 27 MOC Star Wars figures from my collection to be given to a couple of kids that will help them have a Christmas with presents. They can either collect them or rip them open and have a good time.

 

Avoiding the question? LOL - I was yes or no. Remember?

 

Yes.

 

4 more days.

 

If you count selling coins and donating some proceeds to the Marine's Toys for Tots, Then yes I do.

 

No