2010 OTCA Christmas Appeal

[Autocon]

i fully indorse this idea!!!! awsome stuff!!

[Seraphim Prime]

I like the idea.

But to all those saying that they have a few old TFs they could donate, to me, you seem to kind of miss the point. Think how excited you were as kid to get a toy you weren't expecting. Something that was yours and yours alone. Many of the kids that will get gifts through these services have never had that many things they can call their own, and to get a brand new toy that has all its pieces that has never been played with by anyone else is smoething they don't get to experience often, and is something most of us could provide for them quite easily.


As for other organisations to support, it's a little late for this year, but for future years can I suggest Operation Christmas Child. That way we will have one Australian charity and one international charity? Basically the idea is you fill a shoebox with gifts appropriate for a certain child, then Samaritan's Purse will distribute them to people in the developing world (like Ethiopia, Burma, etc) who would not otherwise receive presents.

[5FDP]

But to all those saying that they have a few old TFs they could donate, to me, you seem to kind of miss the point.

It would be wise to keep in mind that not everyone is in a position to donate a brand new toy.

This is a completely personal decision and I'm sure that whatever is donated would be appreciated by a child less fortunate.

As STL said, no gift is too little. Every bit counts.

[Hursticon]

It would be wise to keep in mind that not everyone is in a position to donate a brand new toy.

This is a completely personal decision and I'm sure that whatever is donated would be appreciated by a child less fortunate.

As STL said, no gift is too little. Every bit counts.

Agreed,

Whether a toy is 1st or 2nd hand is irrelevant by the fact that these poor kids would be lucky to receive anything at all.
I grew up on 2nd hand toys, so yeah a brand new one was certainly a surprise but I would've been just as happy with a 2nd hand toy.

I also have a personal problem with donating to International Charities, shouldn't we help out those in our own backyard first?
Just sayin'...

[Seraphim Prime]

Whether a toy is 1st or 2nd hand is irrelevant by the fact that these poor kids would be lucky to receive anything at all.

I just raise it, because it's how I see the topic - similar to your opionion of international charities quoted below - and know that some organisations actually won't accept second-hand toys for that very reasons that I shared. Can Tabias clarify?

And by new toy, I'm not saying a voyager or a deluxe necessarily. As STL has said it could be a Legends TF, one of the small Lego sets, a larger Lego set that goes on clearance. These are things that could be easily provided by sacrificing a bought lunch or a cup of coffee.

I also have a personal problem with donating to International Charities, shouldn't we help out those in our own backyard first?
Just sayin'...

That's cool. No one else had made a suggestion, and Christmas Child is one I've helped out with a few times before. I see you're point about helping our backyard, but from a global perspective our backyard has it easier than many billions of people living internationally. Not to say that it's easy, but that other people have it harder, and would also appreciate some help.

There will always be needs in our own backyard, and if we focus just on them, then there are many more people who will not recieve any help at all, simply because they were not fortunate enough to be born in Australia.

Just my own thoughts on the subject.

[Gutsman Heavy]

I've no issue in donating a new toy, I'm interested to know if there's a charity that I can donate my unwanted TFs that will actually go to children as opposed to being sold for $1.50 in the op shop

[Hursticon]

I just raise it, because it's how I see the topic - similar to your opionion of international charities quoted below - and know that some organisations actually won't accept second-hand toys for that very reasons that I shared. Can Tabias clarify?

And by new toy, I'm not saying a voyager or a deluxe necessarily. As STL has said it could be a Legends TF, one of the small Lego sets, a larger Lego set that goes on clearance. These are things that could be easily provided by sacrificing a bought lunch or a cup of coffee.

Interesting that some organisations wont accept 2nd hand toys, I didn't know this.
I do know that soft toys filled with foam beans and the like, can't be sold for obvious health and safety reasons.

What I'd maybe suggest though, is that if people wish to donate 2nd hand toys, then don't donate anything that is broken or missing key bits like limbs - there was nothing more frustrating as a kid rifling through the toy areas of my local OP Shops, often overflowing with stuffed toys , only to find a cool figure, TF or not, that was missing a leg or an arm.

Indeed, I agree that new toy donations don't have to be Supreme, Leader, Voyager or Deluxe as anything is better than nothing, but I also understand that some aren't even able to afford the lesser scale figures, especially if they've kids of their own.

I just think that there should be options because I think what can deter people from donating things is being told unreasonably what they can and can't donate, I'm not suggesting anyone is doing that just that I was brought up with the belief that one must be thankful for what they are given and not to bite the hand that feeds you.

That's cool. No one else had made a suggestion, and Christmas Child is one I've helped out with a few times before. I see you're point about helping our backyard, but from a global perspective our backyard has it easier than many billions of people living internationally. Not to say that it's easy, but that other people have it harder, and would also appreciate some help.

There will always be needs in our own backyard, and if we focus just on them, then there are many more people who will not recieve any help at all, simply because they were not fortunate enough to be born in Australia.

Just my own thoughts on the subject.

I agree that there are others around the world that need help and I know that Australians are generally better off, but then we have fought that privilege and some have unfortunately fallen through the cracks, hence why I believe that we should look locally first.

I think the suggestion Seraphim is certainly not without merit though, I feel sorry for those over in Africa who live under oppressive regimes and those who are affected by natural disasters - but maybe seems this is more or less our first drive, per say, maybe we should take Baby steps first?

In the end though I think the idea of donations is a bloody top suggestion and what ever the majority decides to do, I'm with them.

[Burn]

I'm all for it. I'm also with Hursticon in that i'd rather see it stick to a dedicated Australian charity group for the simple fact i'd rather help out my own country first before reaching out overseas.

Toy ... money ... whoever's organising it just tell me where to send whatever's needed.

And when it's all over, I think we should get photos of everything being handed over and then spread it around the various international sites to encourage them.

[Seraphim Prime]

I just think that there should be options because I think what can deter people from donating things is being told unreasonably what they can and can't donate, I'm not suggesting anyone is doing that just that I was brought up with the belief that one must be thankful for what they are given and not to bite the hand that feeds you.

This is very true.

I agree that there are others around the world that need help and I know that Australians are generally better off, but then we have fought that privilege and some have unfortunately fallen through the cracks, hence why I believe that we should look locally first.

I think the suggestion Seraphim is certainly not without merit though, I feel sorry for those over in Africa who live under oppressive regimes and those who are affected by natural disasters - but maybe seems this is more or less our first drive, per say, maybe we should take Baby steps first?

True, true. The organisation i suggested closes donations today anyway - otherwise there isn't enough time to distribute them before Christmas. I was proposing it for next year if people are keen, as it is one which doesn't require such a centralised organiser, and can be done state by state, or individual by individual.

I'll repeat that I'm happy to be part of whatever the group as a whole / STL decides upon.

[Tabias Prime]

Dude I was thinking of suggesting this myself but you have already beaten me to it...not that I mind..all glory to you for going ahead with it

This isn't something that I have shared before. I use to be a Salvo( yes even down to the uniform, hat and playing in the brass band). I had a fair bit to do with the charity side of the Salvos and the biggest problem we would run into at this time of year when sorting presents for the kids, would be sever lack of toys for boys for the ages between 7 and 12. This would be a great gape filler for the Salvos because what would happen is they would have to go out and purchase toys for this group that gets missed...this is a big chunk out of their yearly budget for this time of year...Also the Salvos are easily accessible in each of our perspective states...

Just a insiders perspective on the Salvos...and I hope it helps..