Interesting introduction....what to do?

We moved in about a month ago, and the majority of our neighbors came over within a week or two to introduce themselves and say hello. If we've seen neighbors outside, we've gone up and introduced ourselves. One even gave us a lovely "Congrats on your new home!" card with a lovely note, complete with their home phone number.

So today we get a letter from the people across the way who we haven't met yet. We assume it's going to be another "Welcome" but we open it up and it's actually a request for donations to the American Heart Society. Now, we have no problem donating-we donate to different causes throughout the year. But it's just really odd to me that they'd send this without any introduction whatsoever. We rarely see them out, so maybe she's just home most of the time? Or unable to leave?

She also hand-wrote "Don't forget, NO donation is too small!!!!!" or something to that effect. She's an older woman, so I'm thinking maybe this is her way of breaking the ice? We're considering throwing $20 in the envelope, walking over and introducing ourselves...but part of me just feels weird about the whole situation. What would you do?

Re: Interesting introduction....what to do?

I'd ignore it............. I wouldn't like that at all.

and I'm the nicest person ever, and all for donating, but I like it to be on MY terms.

Re: Interesting introduction....what to do?

They personally walked over to your house and put the envelope in your mailbox? But never introduced themselves? But she hand wrote no donation is too small? No welcome! I'm so and so?? Lol Umm I'd probably ignore it, wait until they introduce themselves and bring it up again. Then, after meeting them I'd donate. That's a strange way to be welcomed onto the block lol

Re: Interesting introduction....what to do?

That is a tough one b/c I wouldn't want to offend a neighbor when you just moved in. I would say if you want to donate throw something small in it and go over and introduce yourself. If you don't want to - you could very politely just introduce yourself next time you see them and just say - oh thank you very much for the sheet but we already donate to them every year around the holidays. If they push you could say you do it through your job or someone in your families job who matches or something to that effect.

Re: Interesting introduction....what to do?

I would just throw it out.

Re: Interesting introduction....what to do?

Thanks for the input, everyone! I think I'm just going to ignore it. She was outside when we went out this morning, and she couldn't even be bothered to look in our direction.

Re: Interesting introduction....what to do?

When you volunteer to mail out donation requests, they give you a list of homes on your block to mail to. I don't think she decided to mail to you on her own as an introduction.

I would give if I were inclined to give to that organization - or else I would simply ignore it.

Re: Interesting introduction....what to do?

Re: Interesting introduction....what to do?

I am someone who donates alot but I would not donate in this case. I would just throw it out. I do think it's rude. Was it addressed to you specifically? Like she found out your name but never said welcome but then asks for donations?

Re: Interesting introduction....what to do?

Re: Interesting introduction....what to do?

I never realized it was done that way either, with individuals sending out requests. The envelope was hand-addressed to "our new neighbors" and she had handwritten the "no donation is too small" thing. The return address sticker was hers-that's the only way we knew where it came from. We were thinking of asking the neighbors next door, because we're really friendly with them, if they got anything at the same time or maybe if it's an annual thing she does.

If she just sent out a bundle to everyone, I wouldn't really make much of it. But if it was only sent to us, I just think it's odd. It's just strange to me to solicit donations from someone you won't even wave back to.

Re: Interesting introduction....what to do?

Just another POV here

I volunteer to do a fund-raising drive like this for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society every year. Like a pp mentioned, I get a packet w/a list of my neighbors names & addresses, as well as personalized address labels w/my name on them. I also write a little note on each of the cards before I stuff the envelopes - they're all the same note regardless of if I know the neighbor or not. I have a big block & honestly only know 4 of the people that I send them to. My feeling is if someone wants to donate they will & if not that's fine with me - we all have different charities that mean something to us & that we choose to donate to. I honestly don't even consider if I know the person or not - I just use the materials that were sent to me in the package. I think that when my direct neighbor 1st moved in I addressed it similarly to them...at the time we hadn't met, but we're friendly now.

I honestly don't think it's anything personal...if the charity means something to you I'd donate, but if not feel free to take a pass. I'm sure that they won't judge you and/or it won't taint your possible future friendship

Re: Interesting introduction....what to do?

Thanks for the input!! I really never knew that individuals did the fundraising this way, and now I feel a bit naive! lol

I definitely wouldn't think anything of it if it came from anyone else on the block. There are literally only 6 houses on the cul-de-sac, and she's the only one who has never said hi and has ignored us every time we've waved to her, and she specifically addressed it to "our new neighbors". Maybe she's just shy or anti-social. I think I'm going to ignore it for now since we donated a bunch over the holidays, and just continue waving hello (even if she doesn't wave back lol).