In case you don't know, MADD is the acronym for the organization that is "Mothers Against Drunk Driving" - this a group of people who are, you guessed it, against drunk driving - they are like any other charity with their hand out and their lies convincing - they call and give you a sob story about someone, usually female, who was killed in a car accident - they then tell you how you can help prevent things like this from happening again with your donation.
BULLSHIT.
About two months ago I mistakenly thought a charitable donation would be polite, and a good thing to do for my society, so when I got the call, I agreed for them to send me the donation slip. When the slip arrived, I put it to the side and wound up forgetting about it, or at least I tried to. The donation slip was followed by another donation slip reminding me I had not sent the last one. I also left this to be done later and forgot again. The second donation slip was followed up by a phone call asking where my donation was. I told them I must have misplaced the paperwork and to send another. It arrived without delay so I filled it out immediately and returned my whopping donation of $40. Once the donation was made I thought I was in the clear. I was mistaken again.
Once the donation was entered on their list of suckers, I received a call to thank me for the donation and inquire if I would like to donate again. I informed them I had already donated and I would be picking another charity the next time I wanted to support something. I was forced to listen to another sob story and still declined. I was cut off while declining to be told another type of donation I can make to their organization. I declined again. I was cut off again and asked if they could just send me some paperwork and I agreed so I could go about my day. I was sent another donation slip. The same process happened again, only this time, when they called I had to explain that I never agreed to make another donation. The reply I received was shocking. I was told they had me noted for a donation and I was OBLIGATED to pay it. I kindly said "no I don't" and hung up.
I have since been contacted via phone and mail 4 times with more information and more requests for donations. I have explained that I do not donate to the same organization twice unless I see what they are doing to change the law for the better, and how well their plan was executed. Obviously I have not seen a decline in drivers who are under the influence, nor have I seen a single law changed. However, I have been increasingly bothered by a bunch of people who believe their solicitation is doing anything to help. I saw, first hand, the effect of drinking and driving and the accident that resulted and the person responsible didn't so much as get a DUI
So, MADD, leave me the hell alone. I do NOT want to donate any more money to a plan that would change a law that would in turn make me pay more taxes, and I do NOT want to be conned into donating because it is the only way people will donate to your cause. Why don't you call the president and ask him to do something about it? Better yet, why don't you change your plan to one that involves teaching your children they shouldn't drink and drive and try to prevent these kind of things from happening rather than try to get a Breathalyzer strapped to every car AFTER something has already happened? Stop being useless story tellers on the phone, and start being more active with the young adults in your lives. Educate people, don't just cry and put your hand out.
MADDeningly yours,
Sarah M.
