Holiday Donations for People in Need

Internet begging is a unique way to give monetary or gift donations to those in need this Holiday season

With the holidays fast approaching, many people are doing their shopping online – but the Internet is also a very popular place for people in need asking for a handout on Begslist.com.

There are thousands of pleas for help on Begslist.com an online donation website, which is dedicated to helping people in need through begging via the Internet. Most of us this year will be enjoying a wonderful holiday dinner with our friends and family, but for millions of families across the country, Christmas will be like any other day; a struggle to make ends meet.
The stories from people asking for help are heartbreaking.  A recently widowed dad who lost his job; a failed businessman with no money and no hope for a future. And, of course, stories of so many families who can't afford gifts for Christmas.

"We are a family of 9, and my husband lost his job, so we didn't have Christmas last year. This year we were lucky enough to find a place to live, but no money for Christmas..."
"I am a single mother of six and I am seeking help to have a Christmas with my family. I have been laid off from work and I experienced as a child not having many Christmases, but I don't want that for my kids...".

Others post stories asking for help, not for themselves but for others in need. Charities, organizations or everyday people just wanting donations for various causes will try begging on Begslist.org to help others.

"Help the Children of Chicago - My deepest wishes for the spirit of Christ and Christmas. Can you help the needy children this season with a small donation, any amount.. because it the thought that counts. It's better to give than to receive as our children are the future and needy families need help."
"This is a Memorial to my brother who died of Cancer in 2006. We wish to aid in the support of Community Hospice groups everywhere. Hospice is currently undergoing a financial hard time and needs our help. Hospice does a job that really helps. Take it from one who knows what they do. During my brother's final time, they provided many services that we the family could not."
Begslist.org is an online donations website dedicated to helping people in need through the use of free cyber begging. Try something different this Holiday Season and take the time to send donations whether it be toys, food, clothing or financial support to those less fortunate. One of the most effective and timely ways to donate to people who desperately need help is to make monetary or holiday donations online by going to www.begslist.com.

For more information about Begslist.org , donations or cyber begging, please visit http://www.begslist.com/. And please show support for people in need this Holiday Season!

About Begslist

Cyber begging, Internet begging, or Internet panhandling is the online version of traditional begging or panhandling where people can ask strangers for money, food, clothing, or shelter. Begging online has a clear advantage to street begging or panhandling where it can be done with relative anonymity, thus eliminating or reducing the embarrassment, shame, or keeping one's dignity that associated with begging in public.

Follow Begslist on Twitter: http://twitter.com/begslist
Join Begslist on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Begslist/48221925633

SOURCE: PRNewswire

Secret Santa picks up 3 layaway bills

Kindness 'Restored faith in people'

PLAINFIELD TOWNSHIP, Mich. (WOOD) - Christmas came early for three people in West Michigan when a stranger picked up the tab on some presents.

It happened Monday night at the Big Kmart on the 4000 block of Plainfield Avenue in Plainfield Township. A woman, described only as "being in her 30s," walked up to the layaway desk, pushing a shopping cart full of toys she planned to donate.  

"This lady came up randomly and said, 'Can I, you know, pay off some people's layaway?'" said Dannell Goddard. Goddard works at Kmart in the layaway department. She told 24 Hour News 8 that when she first heard the request, she was a bit confused.  

"I was like, 'Well, are you trying to pick them up? 'Cause you can't pick them up if you don't have an ID," Goddard said. "And [the mystery woman] replied, 'Nope, I just want to help people.'"

The woman looked through several of the about 800 layaway contract tickets at the store. She randomly picked and paid the bill on three of them. She paid about $500 between all three of them and left a $10 balance on each of the accounts.

The woman's only requirement was that there were toys in the layaway orders.  

"It was really crazy the way she did it. She was so excited and so happy to do it," said Goddard. "She had a great heart, and I told her that I felt like she had a great heart, and she said she doesn't want to take appreciation for it. She just felt that she was blessed and she wanted to bless others."

One of the recipients of that kindness was Mary Chapin. She told 24 Hour News 8 the act of kindness "restored her faith in people."  

Chapin had put about $200 worth of toys on layaway for her son, David, Monday afternoon. She said she hoped she'd be able to pay off the balance by the week before Christmas.  

Then she got a call from Kmart that changed all that.  

"They said that someone had paid $180 on my layaway and there was only $10 left," said Chapin. "I thought it was a joke."  

Chapin wanted to say thank you, but the only clue to the woman's identity was a message on her receipt that read, "Happy Holiday from a friend."  

"I thank her. It's the best gift that I ever received, and it's the gift of believing in people," said Chapin. "And believing that there's good out there, 'cause you don't always see that."  

The entire layaway order was for 12-year-old David who has autism. Chapin told 24 Hour News 8 she was so excited she gave her son one of those toys, a brand new LEGO set.    

Chapin has her own name for her family's Secret Santa. She calls the woman "an angel" for her family. She said that angel gave her family a far bigger gift than the toys themselves.  

"Even though we're all in the same boat, nobody's thinking about anyone else, it's every man for himself," said Chapin. To have somebody come along behind, and just do something that's totally unnecessary but so appreciated, it just really made a difference."
--
The day after the story aired on 24 Hour News 8, another secret Santa went to the Plainfield Kmart and offered to pay off 13 more layaway bills -- to the tune of about $2,000.
It was the largest layaway payoff in the history of the store.

This Holiday Season (November through December), the Founder of Begslist pledges to donate 50% of all online donations received directly though our Begslist Donate Page to the following charities: American Cancer Society, Susan G. Komen for the Cure, and Disabled American Veterans.

How to Help The Less Fortunate During the Holidays

Introduction

If you are thinking about doing something to help those in need, the holidays are the perfect time to open your heart and wallet to give back. For advice and tips on how you can give back, see our page on How to Help The Less Fortunate During the Holidays.

Whether you celebrate Christmas, Hanukkah or Kwanzaa, the holidays can be a time to reflect on all of the things that you have to be thankful for (Friends, Family, Food, Work, etc). But it can also be a great opportunity to turn your attention to individuals and families who may, for one reason or another, not be as fortunate as you. Although the holidays can often be a hectic time, taking some time out to help those who are less fortunate can serve to remind you and your family of the true nature of the holidays. Here are some tips on giving back this holiday season.

One of the most popular ways to give back during the holiday season is to volunteer your time at a local soup kitchen, food bank or charity. The holidays are a particularly busy time for most charitable organizations and any amount of time, energy or expertise you can provide will be extremely appreciated.

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