New England Teens / Youth

[jd-science.livejournal.com]

has anyone been approached by young men selling $5 candy to support something called the New England Youth Foundation or New England Teen Foundation? i've run into these guys twice now, once in Porter and once in Central, and their credentials consist of a piece of printed paper inside a plastic sleeve. They have no website, no contact information, just a name of a founder (Keith Something or Other, I regret I've forgotten his last name), and an address (14 Talbot Ave in Dorchester, which shows up on Google Maps as a parking lot, and which is next to the Boys and Girls Club, which is at 15 Talbot Ave).

I want to support kids selling stuff as a fundraiser (I like candy), but not if they're being dishonest, and especially not if it's an organized scam.

Comments

[mjperson.livejournal.com]

It's quite popular around here to pull the photocopied piece of paper in a plastic sleeve (sometimes in a three ring binder) as credentials. Unless they are also accompanied by a recently issued permit from the local police department, complete with call number, assume they are a scam. All the legitimate operators are registered with the police and won't mind you checking that out.

[thetathx1138.livejournal.com]

It's also fun to ask them if you can take their sheet of paper to a nearby photocopy place. You know, for tax purposes, so you can claim the candy as a charitable deduction.

[ron_newman]

Except that if you get something (like a candy bar) back from your donation, it's not tax-deductible.

[frederic.livejournal.com]

The difference between the value of the item and what you paid for it is tax deductable though.

[thetathx1138.livejournal.com]

I know that. You know that. Do they know that?