[Buckterrier]

Originally Posted by Wayne at Pelican Parts

This unfortunately, has been bothering me for quite some time. My wife and I have started a tradition at the holiday time. Each Christmas, we work with the local Regional Center and "adopt a needy family" for Christmas. We've tailored it to our own family in adopting a family that has a Down Syndrome child (like our daughter). Last year was the first year we did this, and I assumed it would be a good experience for my kids, especially my older son, to be exposed to this and to instill good values, etc. We typically go buy presents and have our family bring them over to the "needy" family. This year, the family wanted a computer, so we packed up one of the semi-old ones from Pelican and brought it over.

Okay, fine so far. So, he trouble is, now for the 2nd year in a row, both of these families have had bigger TVs than we have in our house. I don't mean 27" TVs, but like 52" projections and/or flatscreens that would kill or injure you if they fell on you. I just cannot let this go. In fact, I joked with my wife this year (before we went there), to tell the Regional Center that we wanted someone with a smaller TV than ours. That did not happen.

I mean, jeepers, how needy can you be with a huge freaking TV (and probably premium cable, etc.) sitting right in your living room. I understand that appearances may not be what they seem (maybe it was a gift or a used model bought at a garage sale?), but really - I feel very disappointed and quite dejected. I also feel that the lesson for my kids was less than clear given the circumstances.

I told my wife I'm not sure if we want to continue doing this next year. At the very least, we'll have to reach down lower on the economic scale to a family that is truly in need of our help.

Thoughts?

-Wayne

Wayne, I did not read any of the responses yet, just your post. Here's a take on this, and it comes from someone that knows. When I was a kid I asked a very good black friend of mine, (much older that I), why black people alwyas seem to have a nice big Cadillac. His response was that because blacks in the ghetto or low income really had nothing else they would purchase a nice car. Something to have pride in. I thought that was a reasonable response and a good one. It may be the same thing with the TV. Since the people have nothing else to do, no money for a hobby like a Porsche or money for a nice vacation they decided on spending money on a nice TV. Think about it. It's their entertainment.