Family fundraiser has asked too often
DEAR ABBY: A family member keeps setting up fundraisers every time she wants to buy something for her family. If a child needs a special class, she asks the relatives to pitch in to pay for it. When her husband wanted to return to college, she brought all the extended family together to see who could contribute.
She has now set up a fundraiser for family and friends to raise $6,000 to send her daughter to an expensive performing arts camp. If they can’t afford it, they should select a camp they CAN afford or have the 16-year-old go out and earn the money.
This woman’s father was a preacher, and sometimes I think she never got the message that fundraising is usually for charity, not for individuals who need some cash. Am I wrong to be embarrassed by what she’s doing, or is this a new normal? EMBARRASSED IN TEXAS
DEAR EMBARRASSED: You say your relative is the daughter of a preacher. There is a saying in the Bible, “Seek and ye shall find.” Another way of putting it is, “It never hurts to ask.” If you feel she is using others for something that should be her responsibility, you are free to just say no, without embarrassment.
DEAR ABBY: I’m retired and have the time to sew and quilt projects, which I give as gifts. I presented a “Quilt of Valor” to my father to honor his military service. I also gave a sibling one of my personalized projects as a birthday gift.
Abby, when we visited their home recently, I was horrified to see one of their dogs sleeping on one of the pillows I had made for them. When the dog woke up, it proceeded to drag the hair-covered pillow through the house. I have been asked to make a quilt for a disabled child living at home who also has a dog that sleeps on her bed.
I no longer want to invest my time and energy after what happened to my gift. Would it be wrong to refuse the request and say something about “gift abuse”? SEW PERPLEXED IN THE NORTHWEST
DEAR PERPLEXED: Verbalizing your refusal would be undiplomatic. Regardless of the fact that your hard work wasn’t appreciated as you hoped it would be, I do not recommend that you accuse the family of “gift abuse.” It appears they’re dealing with more important issues.
DEAR ABBY: My husband and I have been together for 21 years. I’m extremely social, while he is not. For the past 10 years he has become increasingly resistant to going out in public places, especially when it involves my family or friends.
During last year’s holidays, I pleaded yet another “sudden illness” on his behalf. When I cancel plans we’ve made which is often
he generally “feels better” after we cancel. It’s frustrating. What can I do? SOCIAL BUTTERFLY IN PORTLAND, ORE.
DEAR BUTTERFLY: I think you should go without him, and stop making excuses.