[Taltarzac725]

Last Thursday night we had a Salvation Army box all set for the Friday pick-up in Lynnhaven.

The Friday morning I put the clearly marked box in back of my car. It had a regular piece of paper 8 X 10 on it saying "Salvation Army" on it.

The recycling was on the other side of the drive-way.

Friday morning I went out to see if the Salvation Army had picked up the box yet and saw the recycling people-- two men-- rifling through the box for the Salvation Army. Looking through the CDs, a piggy bank with a broken lock, and various other stuff.

I walked back in the house and told my Dad and we both questioned these two men one who claimed that the Salvation Army box had no label and was with the recycling.

What a liar. He would not even look me in the eye while blatantly lying to my father about just taking the Salvation Army box.

The Salvation Army pick-up guy came about a hour after that knocking on the door. We had to tell him that the recycling people stole the box.

We did not make a complaint to the recycling company about these men as they could still just continue to lie.

Just wanted to get the word out about this incident. And for people to be careful when you put the stuff out for the Salvation Army.

I do worry about some dishonest person stealing the Salvation Army donation box but I never thought I would have to watch out for the recycling people as well for being thieves.

[LitespeedRider]

Why do you care? You put it on the curb - story over.

[gerryh1943]

Every time I call Salvation Army they tell me they will pick up on Friday, please leave it in front of your front door marked S.A.

[redwitch]

I learned to put charity items up by the garage door rather than at the curb. Haven't anyone take those bags since I started doing this. And, sorry, I totally disagree about calling the company. Whether they lie about it or not, at least the company has a record of those actions if the call is made.

[Carla B]

Why should he care? Because he made an appointment for the SA to pick up the donations. I think you should report it to the recycle company and even if the two men lie, if the company gets enough complaints they may do something about it.

[bagboy]

Seems like recycling people are being painted with the proverbial "broad brush"

[LitespeedRider]

Originally Posted by redwitch

And, sorry, I totally disagree about calling the company

I got to say - I dont get it.

So, this Villager with a kind heart donates her unused items to a charity (cough cough...as if the Salvation Army is not over head heavy). Then the said charity will SELL the items.

Being as they were "in a box", and I may err in assuming that the donor is retired (thus an itemized right off for tax purposes is not at play)...So, a pair of HARD WORKING men who are not doing anyone's "dream job" take a look...I would.

I dont "out" this very often. But - for about two years after my carer as an athlete I was homeless. I worked my way of of that position and I dont dwell on it. In that postion. I would take clothing from the "Lost and Found" at a community college. Steal food from the cafeterias, orchards and yes - dumpsters.

Trust me, if a homeless person is shoe-less walking into the SA, they will walk out shoe-less. Homeless Shelters on the other hand are doing gods work.

Fortunately for me, I was homeless due to situation as opposed to addiction. But, back to the recycling man...he very well may be a customer of the Salvation Army...he is earning an honest living cleaning OUR mess' and what better person to help out?


Could the OP not say to themselves - "I had no use for that, I hope SOMEONE can have a use for it" - and know they did a good thing for someone?

[Sandtrap328]

Yep, if something is left at the end of your driveway near the curb, it is fair game for anyone to pick up.

You do have to be careful. I remember reading on here a few years ago that a woman was going on a trip. She left her fully packed suitcase at the end of her driveway early in the morning and went back inside her house to wait for a taxi that was supposed to arrive within an hour. Guess what? Yes, "pickers" had taken the suitcase obviously thinking it was trash - since it also was trash day.

I have used the "end of the driveway" routine to dispose of an old ceiling fan and an old television. Works great!

[golfing eagles]

Originally Posted by LitespeedRider

Why do you care? You put it on the curb - story over.

Seriously????

a) This box was meant for charity, not employed recycling collectors. The SA is in a better position to decide who is needy. Besides, most of the stuff is resold in their second hand stores and the money used to help needy people. The recyclers might be looking to sell it for cash that they would use for....well let's just say potential vices.

b) Whatever tax deduction the donor might get went bye-bye with the box.

c) It is still STEALING, no matter what excuse they make or lie they tell

d) I would definitely report them---they might be able to lie their way out of a single event, but if the same crew gets multiple complaints, their credibility will go out the window

e) The SA might also be aware of "disappearing donations", you might check with them

[Taltarzac725]

Originally Posted by bagboy

Seems like recycling people are being painted with the proverbial "broad brush"

I said two men did this. And my father kind of wanted to leave it alone.

There was a driver too that got out after my father and I questioned them. They just looked over the box and the CDs and stuff with the driver and the man who talked to us just shrugged. They had already crushed the stuff meant for the Salvation Army.

And I believe this is record enough. It should not be too hard to tell who was running the Lynnhaven run on Friday 11/04/2016.

I will put it at the door next time like Red suggests.

[John_W]

I've donated to Salvation Army about ten times in the last five years. We always put it on the porch by the front door and put a sign on the bag or box that reads 'SA'. It's usually picked up while were out for the day, and we always find a donation letter taped on the front door.

I've even heard stories of villagers putting their golf clubs at the curb while they wait for their ride, only to find the clubs missing five minutes later. On garbage days there are people riding around looking for items on the curbs. Just this week our neighbor put out a patio table and 6 chairs, within an hour they were gone way before the garbage trucks came by.

[Taltarzac725]

Originally Posted by golfing eagles

Seriously????

a) This box was meant for charity, not employed recycling collectors. The SA is in a better position to decide who is needy. Besides, most of the stuff is resold in their second hand stores and the money used to help needy people. The recyclers might be looking to sell it for cash that they would use for....well let's just say potential vices.

b) Whatever tax deduction the donor might get went bye-bye with the box.

c) It is still STEALING, no matter what excuse they make or lie they tell

d) I would definitely report them---they might be able to lie their way out of a single event, but if the same crew gets multiple complaints, their credibility will go out the window

e) The SA might also be aware of "disappearing donations", you might check with them

The Salvation Army man did offer us the slip for the donation anyway. And we did tell him that the recycling people picked up the box meant for them. He just said "That's not good!"

[LitespeedRider]

Originally Posted by Taltarzac725

They had already crushed the stuff meant for the Salvation Army.

This was clearly the error on the part of who ever left it on the curb - period. The men were simply doing their job...

[golfing eagles]

Originally Posted by LitespeedRider

Being as they were "in a box", and I may err in assuming that the donor is retired (thus an itemized right off for tax purposes is not at play?

What would make you say that????
I would guess at least half of retirees in TV itemize (just a guess based on median income)

[LitespeedRider]

Originally Posted by John_W

within an hour they were gone way before the garbage trucks came by.

And I cant get rid of four used brake rotors from car....maybe Villagetinker needs to put his extra (old) fuel on the curb