Dear editor:
I have noticed a disturbing trend as of late: numerous local schools, youth organizations and athletic travel teams camped out in front of local businesses, basically looking for a handout for their group to take some sort of trip to somewhere. They are (I assume with permission) in front of both Wal-Marts and all Krogers every weekend.
They offer no service, just simply a polite "Can you give me some money?" On Arkansas Derby Day, they inundated both sides of Central Avenue. Fountain Lake school was well represented, with three different groups begging. Also included were Girl Scouts, a local AAU team (which needed new uniforms, even though the kids all had shoes on that cost at least $100), and a couple of competitive cheerleading squads (cheerleading, let's be honest, is a recreation, not an athletic sport).
On more than one occasion, the kids reaping the benefits were not even there -- parents were working the deal. On one, it was to send a group of cheerleaders to Orlando, Fla. I'd love to go to Orlando. I'm not going to pay for you and your kids to go. That's shameful.
My problem with all of these groups -- and I am not a hater of youths staying active and involved with good wholesome activities -- is that they just want a handout. There is no service. When I was a kid, at the Boys Club, we went door to door selling candy bars. At the Optimist Club, we did car washes. These kids are being taught a perilous lesson -- stick your hand out and society will give you something. You don't even have to do anything to earn it.
I urge everyone who encounters these youths to do what I do each time: be polite, civil and simply ask them if you give money, what service or product will you receive? If the answer is nothing, then politely say you will give nothing.
Casey Alexander
Hot Springs
Editorial on 06/15/2017