From: Laurensurp@aol.com
Date: Thu, 12 Apr 2001 10:58:03 EDT
Subject: I do charities - as I choose
To: balloon@balloonhq.com

Folks - 
I must disagree.  Imagine if everyone adopted this attitude, what a sad and 
selfish world it would become.  I do many charitable events - because I WANT 
to, not because I am guilted into it.  I may give gift certificates for 1 
hour of twisting for them to auction off or just an hour or two of service. I 
also turn down charitable events that I am not able/interested in supporting 
(there are many so I have to place limits).  

Also, please be aware that groups that hire people for events may have a 
limited budget but really want to include you because they are aware of the 
benefit to the attendees.  Sometimes I am the only one being paid, others I 
am may not be - personally, I prefer to serve people who are working for a 
cause - (note:  typically, the organizers are NOT getting paid either).  {I 
do not work for free for business events}.

The community gives you lots of things - including a reputation - whether 
good or bad.  When people have the opportunity to choose which entertainer to 
hire, they will almost always choose the one that helped out their cause, 
even if it's at a higher price.  Don't shoot yourself in the foot.

Lauren Surprenant
Kids Time To Go

<< I do not go for "giving back to the community"
 The community never gave me anything but opportunity, and I worked for that!
 I choose to call it "sharing my gift".  Nit picking, I am sure, but I am >>