Charity begins at home.

Well, actually, with the nicer weather, it begins at my front door. It must do. Why else would I have a steady stream of people wanting to make my pockets lighter in the name of every charity possible?

It seems that each year there are more and more door-to-door charity collectors. Some are slick salesmen types while others you know are just volunteering for a cause that may be close to their hearts. But really, I can't give to everyone.

Does anyone else feel under the gun when these people come to your door looking for donations? With the lack of education funding I seem to be constantly reaching into my wallet to fund something. My kids' school had something like five different fund raising events this year. I can't go to friends and family on five different occasions asking for hand outs. They are supporting their own kids' schools. On top of that there are sports team fund raising and scout/guiding popcorn/cookie sales. It gets to be a little bit much. This year we refused to participate in one fund raiser at the school and most of the other events I just paid the "expected" per child minimum. I hate putting people on the spot by asking them for these things.

Then the neighbourhood kids come by and are looking to have their particular school funded. Then someone else is looking for help for their hockey team, or scouts, or baton twirling, or dance or....well you get the picture. I hate to disappoint the little ones and will try to give them something but one can only eat so many chocolate almonds.

And then there are the young teens that come by with a bag full of over priced chocolate. I feel so bad for them. They recite their little speech and pull out their "goods" but, c'mon...five bucks for a two dollar candy bar? And some of the candy bars look like they are six years old. I'm really glad you are off the street and learning about business but a three dollar delivery charge for an old candy bar is a little steep. And just how much of that will these kids see? Probably next to nothing.

But some of the adults are the worse. They show up at the worst times, look completely defeated and then launch into their rehearsed pitch. Then when you inform them that you will not be donating, they kind of humph away like you just told them to piss off. Man, if rejection hurts you that badly you should not be going door-to-door.

With the election going on, I am sure I will be having the candidates or some volunteer canvas my door for that as well. They'll be trying to show me how great they are and how much they have done for the community and how they plan on being my voice in Ottawa. Well, unless their boss says shut up and vote how I told you to. Then I guess my voice gets kind of quiet. While not asking for money, these canvassers will be asking for my vote. Hmmm. Maybe I should ask to be paid for my vote then I can use that money to give to charity?