Wait…it’s not what you think. I support jogathons. In fact, I was Ways and Means Chairwoman of our elementary school and introduced the first jogathon in our community and we made a bloody fortune. So here’s what happened Monday:
I’m on the phone with my sister and my daughter…”my sister…my daughter…my sister…my daughter…”
It’s supper time because your doorbell always rings at suppertime. I take the phone with me and there’s a woman on my front porch with two girls. One girl is 6-7 inches taller than the other girl and appears to be at least two years older. A fact which is only material because the woman immediately announces: “They’re twins.” This is important to note as the conversation unfolds. Both girls are holding large manila envelopes with lettering in magic marker on them. Maybe Sharpie.
Me, still on the phone: “Let me call you two back.” Turning to the two girls. “Can I help you?”
The mom: “We’re collecting pledges for a jogathon.”
Me: “Oh? For what school?”
The mom: “First Christian.”
Me: “Oh, sure. Um, are you asking for two pledges? One for each girl?”
The mom: “Well yeah, they’re twins.”
Me: “Right. When is the jogathon?”
The mom: “It was in March.”
Me, stopping in my tracks: “Huh? That was two months ago. And you’re collecting now?”
The mom: “Well, nobody pledges per lap anymore.”
Me: “Yeah but it’s May.”
The mom: “We have two months to collect pledges.”
Me: “How do I know the girls actually participated? For that matter, how do I know there was even a jogathon?”
The mom, reaching for the envelopes and waving them in my face: “Because it says so on the envelopes.”
Me: “That’s handwritten with a magic marker. Anybody could have written that. I know how a jogathon works. You’re supposed to solicit pledges before the event.”
The mom: “But they’re twins.”
Me: (Yeah, right.)
Impasse. And then it hits me, this is a scam. Hey, desperate economic times call for desperate measures. Poor girls, pimped out by their mom. I hand them each five bucks and hope it buys food and not a bottle of vodka. Sigh. My husband says I’m going to heaven. My dog is running full speed in circles around the back yard, enjoying life, oblivious of hungry kids.
Speaking of pledges, tomorrow I’ll announce the contest winner…stop by!
Oh, if anyone has seen that new movie, Brides Maids, let me know how it is. I so want to see that. Yeah, I know, it looks dopey, but it looks like it’s loads of fun too!
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You’re a good person and hopefully they’ll get food.
I have no words. Interesting she picked a Christian school. I really hope those two girls weren’t trying to get grocery money, but like you said, times are tough. You have a good heart.
Nah, they think if they say they’re Christian more people will fall for it. God, Julia. I’m sorry this happened.
It’s sad, I’ve seen some strange stuff in our neighborhood too. People are absolutely desperate and more than willing to involve the kids. This is bad…
XXOO Kat
PS you handled it beautifully and hopefully the girls remember and learn something from this.
Well, both annoying and pathetic. I sure hope the money does not go for alcohol or drugs. Poor kids. California’s social services are stressed to the max and it’s hard to get help. Ten bucks won’t kill me, but I don’t like being scammed.
That was a very kind gesture, Julia, and I hope it will go toward that family’s needs and not some addiction. These are sad times we live with all the despair and madness in the world.
I hope, Evie. Yes, it’s tough out there.