[Talk Host]

I'm not talking about the homeless individuals that haunt the intersections, I'm talking about the young black men (usually) in white shirts that parade through the stopped traffic with white buckets. The only thing I can read on the buckets, is "kids." I personally would never give anybody money without knowing what it's about. This is all new to me. I am surprised they are allowed to do that.

I am also surprised that the homeless guys can do it. A couple of months ago, we saw a guy begging at a large intersection and during the three minutes that the light was red, seven people gave him money. Do the arithmetic.

[graciegirl]

In THE VILLAGES ? ? ? ? Or were you recently in Manhattan? I don't give in a case like that and it annoys me big time.

[handieman]

Originally Posted by Talk Host

I'm not talking about the homeless individuals that haunt the intersections, I'm talking about the young black men (usually) in white shirts that parade through the stopped traffic with white buckets. The only thing I can read on the buckets, is "kids." I personally would never give anybody money without knowing what it's about. This is all new to me. I am surprised they are allowed to do that.

I am also surprised that the homeless guys can do it. A couple of months ago, we saw a guy begging at a large intersection and during the three minutes that the light was red, seven people gave him money. Do the arithmetic.

Every Three minutes divided into 60=20. Probably a buck person=$3.00 or a dollar a minute = $60.00 bucks an hour take away slack times so maybe $50.00 bucks an hour :yikes:

Anyone wanna join me the opposite corner?? 040

Handie

No Wait, call me HH (homeless handie) :joke:

[Talk Host]

Originally Posted by handieman

Every Three minutes divided into 60=20. Probably a buck person=$3.00 or a dollar a minute = $60.00 bucks an hour take away slack times so maybe $50.00 bucks an hour :yikes:

Anyone wanna join me the opposite corner?? 040

Handie

No Wait, call me HH (homeless handie) :joke:

How about the occasional $5 bill

[chuckster]

haven't seen this.....what intersections and days are you referring to?

[Frangyomory]

Mostly on 441/27 near Wal Mart. For two years there was a family. Started with the guy; then the "wife" joined him; next one dog; next two dogs; next a teen age girl. Well, each day he was there, he was smoking and I figured anyone who can afford to smoke these days can feed their family. My opinion, these people are simply bums who could find employment. I felt sorry for the dogs out in the sun and with only a bottle of water apparently there for them to drink.

[MnGirl]

I've seen them, and it really ticks me off when they have a sign that reads VET. Dogs, daughters, backpack, whatever, I look at there fingernails, and I can tell you, they are not living on the street!
If you feel so bad give them canned goods, no one should give money.

[Talk Host]

I'm not asking about the panhandlers that we all see, I'm talking about the well dressed men and women who circulate through the intersections with white bukcets. Who are they?

[crazyeddie]

It's my experience that when Government passes a new law it turns out to be just one more law too many. Last year Anne Arundel County Maryland passed a law prohibiting panhandlers and fundraisers at intersections. Well I got to tell you it had gotten out of hand here and we had beggars on all four corners all hours of the day. Get this, some of those beggars were parents and their kids begging donations for sports teams, band uniforms, you name it. Guess I'm just a cranky old senior, but in my day we used to sell services or products to earn this money. That's how much our society has changed, it is now normal to teach our kids to just go out and beg. No more in A.A. county and hopefully the governments in and around TV will pass similar legislation before I get down there. In case you are concerned about the folks that we displaced, don't worry they just moved one county over to Howard. Same folks, must be some good money in this--ce

[Russ_Boston]

Talk Host - Are you talking about IN TV or NEAR TV or somewhere else? I didn't notice any in or around TV last week when i was there.

As far as i know, anyone can panhandle if the law allows it. Well dressed panhandlers just make it look more like a legitimate charity.

Hope they do not try this on the traffic circles here in TV. That would seem something like a death wish on their part. :joke:

I see these people all the time in Palm Harbor and its vicinity but cannot recall seeing any of these people within the Villages. Have seen them in Lady Lake on US 441/27.

[Talk Host]

I see them most often at the intersection of 42 and 27/441

[dbphillips]

The various "better dressed" panhandles (highway corner at 42/441) carry buckets with "For the Children" with no additional Information. I called the Marion county law inforcement :cop: telling them of this continual problem. No action was taken.
It would be interesting to find out if there is a legitimate "For the Children" program sponsored by any group. It appears to be a program which supports the people doing the panhandling ;D.
Dangerous stepping into traffic could cause problems for any driver trying to negotiate the corner at 42/441, as well as for the panhandler or "Children,"
This has been going on for the four years we've lived in the Villages and doesn't seem to be declining. One of my neighbors said such a group was up in Jacksonville and were ran off by county officials since they were an endangerment to traffic and not legitimate.
The group in Marion county cross in and out of traffic, it's a good thing that they can afford orange vests for some of the "help."
This group has also been seen at the median at 27/441 and the stop lights to Walmart and CVS. Recently the man who used to sit there with his dog and a torn out cardboard hand written sign has returned minus the dog and they reverted to highway 42/441 crossing.
My personal advice is NOT to give money without knowing knowing more about the organization involved. Too, if no one gives them money they'll move on or move away. Don't give food or water. After all, this is a professional organized group and really should provide food and water to their workers.
If you want to give food to anyone support the food bank for people in the local area. Good place to donate. Too, you'll then know it's going to help people who really need help.

[Frangyomory]

For the most part, they are con men. If you ask them what children and how this will help they stutter a lot and then mention some Church you never heard of. Better to give where you know it will help. These guys are not out to help anyone but themselves. :edit:

[Sidney Lanier]

I've never seen this in or around TV. When we see this in our tiny town in the Mid-Hudson Valley of NYS, it's members of the volunteer fire company, and they are clearly identified as such. Same in neighboring towns. If they're anonymous, we don't support them, but we've never seen anonymous people in the street with buckets soliciting donations; if it's the fire company volunteers, we always do.