I am Most Annoyed

[lloydslights]

Sirens, flashing lights, blue and red ones.  Have candles caused a fire?

Poked my head out the door and witnessed the Bush Fire Brigade parading around the local streets.

Santa sitting in the rear waving to parents and kids,  volunteer firefighters handing out "goodies".

What I am most annoyed about this display of neighbourly "love"?  I have donated to this organization all year tossing coins and notes into the manned collection box at the local shopping centre.  

I believed donations would be put towards the purchase of equipment, etc.  

Not handouts at year's end.  No more from me.

DEB

[gleee58]

Those people most likely don't use the donations for end of year lollies and treats.

The locals here buy everything themselves, including the Santa suit and treats. Then they donate their time to go to a couple of other events.

[fourandsixpants]

[tasfleur]

[lloydslights]

Okay, okay.  All points taken on board.  And the attitude in which explanations were given.

Still showing scars after being burnt severely 60 years ago, my little donations over the years to the emergency services have I'm sure gone towards equipment.  

I still question the need for sirens, flashing lights and Santa touring the neighbourhood.

DEB

[lyne-flyn]

Our local volunteer fire brigade has been doing this for years.

The lollies are donated by local businesses and the volunteers collect donations at the same time.

The local kids love it.

[goldeagle1970]

What about the guy who was saved by the fire brigade santa, doing a drive, and his house was on fire.

Our bush brigade have lots of sausage sizzles and cent sales, maybe your one takes out a little to make the kids night enjoyable.

[gleee58]

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@lloydslights wrote:

Okay, okay.  All points taken on board.  And the attitude in which explanations were given.

Still showing scars after being burnt severely 60 years ago, my little donations over the years to the emergency services have I'm sure gone towards equipment.  

I still question the need for sirens, flashing lights and Santa touring the neighbourhood.

DEB

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I think they try to out noise the excited neighbourhood kids  😄

Yep, I think you can rest assured that all the funds raised by donation go to the organization as intended.  

[chuk_77]

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@lloydslights wrote:

Okay, okay.  All points taken on board.  And the attitude in which explanations were given.

Still showing scars after being burnt severely 60 years ago, my little donations over the years to the emergency services have I'm sure gone towards equipment.  

I still question the need for sirens, flashing lights and Santa touring the neighbourhood.

DEB

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because how boring would a silent parade be? Besides the kids love it! These people go above and beyond and ask for nothing in return. 

If you cant give in the spirit that giving is suppose to be, then maybe donating isnt for you? We'd be lost without our volunteers

[*sparklz*]

No bells and whistles or sirens to help create the atmosphere would be like going to a concert where you need a hearing aid to hear it as it is toooo quiet 🙂

[the*scarlet*pimpernel]

awww Lloyds, do you need a hug?

If they didn't have their sirens going and lights flashing no-one would stick their heads out the window and the kids wouldn't know Santa was out there. It's all part of the pageantry.

We had the village xmas party on Friday night. One of the local blokes grew his tummy bones and beard just for the occasion and arrived at the village hall in the local volunteer run fire truck with lights and sirens going. It made me smile when I rubber necked out the window to see what the siren was for.