Scissor-less in Columbia, Tennessee

ONE CENT:

Dear Scissorless,

I personally love to cut out Box Tops, even though part of me realizes that writing a $10 or $20 check to the school at the beginning of the year would save me a lot of hassle! I say you give the “BoxTop job” to the kids.  If they’re school age, they can probably use scissors pretty well.  You can tell them the BoxTops are for their school and when everyone collects, it adds up to hundreds of dollars.  Sell it hard, make sure they buy-in and since you don’t have to do any cutting, go and get yourself a manicure!

TWO CENT:

Dear Scissorless,

Just don't  do it.  There are enough causes in this world you can feel manipulated into joining that you have to decide for yourself what you want to participate in.  I remember being at NYU and walking past a table of students imploring others to join the cause of protecting some group in a faraway place.  They were so passionate and dismissive of people who walked on by, without signing their petition or opening their pocketbook.  However, we shouldn't let other people dictate our charitable decisions. Should you support your local school? Probably.  But I have a suspicion that you aren't the type of person characterized by apathy towards your kids' school.  Heck, you're reading this site for a reason.

So decide in advance which service projects you'd like to tackle and what charities you'd like to support -- and do it joyfully!

There is a great scripture about this, which can no doubt inspire you whatever your religious beliefs:

Let each one give as he has made up his own mind and purposed in his heart, not reluctantly or sorrowfully or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.