I make it a policy not to donate via phone call. I will, as always, send a modest donation by mail. I can't say it works this way for UGM, but in many cases: If you donate over the phone, the solicitor gets a cut of the money! I want my entire donation to go to the mission.
This is, as a previous poster stated, a solicitation call from Union Gospel Mission in Seattle, WA. I donated a small amount of money to them at some point during the last decade, and since then have received many mailings from them, especially around the holidays. This is the first season I have received telephone calls from them however.
I only know it's them because my BF answered the call and offered to leave a message for me. I have no idea what they would do if you asked them politely to remove you from their list. I suspect they would do just that.
Hi, Karla. Your money went to a great cause and unlike some big non-profits Union Gospel Mission makes a few dollars go a long way. I am as frustrated as most persons who get a barrage of calls. However, if you are not hungry, a youth runaway, a trafficked kid, an addict, or homeless person this call is one call worth taking.
Union Gospel Mission feeds, shelters, and cares for physical, mental and spiritual needs for most of the homeless people in the Downtown Seattle area, as well as other major cities. Check out their great work at www.ugm.com ! They have been around for a long time, totally non-profit, lots of volunteers of ordinary people from all walks of life. During the holidays they like to provide a traditional meal to the less fortunate (turkey and fixings at Thanksgiving for example). They can do it for less than we would pay for half of a latte!
You can help with donating an hour or two of your time in the soup kitchen, setting up tables, cleaning, or maybe calling, or just donating food/money. If you can't afford to give $$$ then donate a little of your heart. Helping someone without expecting anything in return is a great way to experience life.