A post I don't want to write, but I feel I have to.

This is a post I don't want to write, but feel I have to.

 

The main reason of Fiesta is to honor the Deceased from the Battle of the Alamo.

 

Fiesta is a way to honor those past, To Honor those who fought, To Honor those who supported and did the best they could to win an unwinnable battle.

 

For years and years it has been all about Non-Profits to have a fun way to raise money, give souvenirs, memories and memorabilia to distribute funding among those who need a helping hand with scholarships, emergency shelter, child care etc.

 

Over the past 4 years I have been able to pick up medals here, medals there, medals everywhere.

 

I don't have a job, but knowing fiesta is coming, I save money all year round and get as many as I can to do my part to support.

 

This year was a disappointment as it is the first year I realized the uncaring uncharitable greed and influx of the for profit corporations.

 

I have already found 3 businesses that have blatantly said "You have to do business with us to get a medal. No, we don't sell the medals separately. "

 

I have found groups that state you can only get our medals at NIOSA, you can only get our medals at Oyster Bake, you can only get our medals at Cornyation.

 

Well guess what bub?, the $30.00 I have to spend on a ticket for one event is money I can spread around to at least 3 charities.  More if I can get the less expensive medals.

 

Now I am at a crossroads.  Do I give up the names of the "Businesses'' and their greedy way to make money off of what is supposed to be a fundraiser for the non-profits, or do I keep their names quietly to myself so people don't bombard them with the "torch and pitchfork" party like you would see in a Shrek movie?

 

One company stated "You must enter our contest to get a medal."

 

Another stated that "You must purchase $50.00 in merchandise to get a medal."

 

Today, on Facebook, the 3rd entity stated "Book a session with us to get a medal".

 

I am sure there are so many business's out there that do the same tactics.  I would hope that they do donate to charities around town during the course of their fiscal year.

 

But to tell people that the only way they can get a medal is to spend an exorbitant amount of money to get a medal that cost them maybe $2.50-$4.00 to make is crazy.  I will spend $1.00- $15.00 on a medal for an organization that I know will benefit the community as a whole.  I will NOT spend $50.00 on running gear just to get a cheap medal.  I will NOT enter a drawing for a car.  And as much as I love the medals, I WILL MOST CERTAINLY NOT spend over $300.00 on a photo package that only gives you 3 poses.  I can get a college student to do for free to build up their portfolio for school.

 

Am I cheap?  Probably.  But I am also broke. I only work one day a week while I build up my Avon (www.youravon.com/vicki210) and build up my Go-Fer business.   I don't ask the charities to assist me as I know there are people who need the help worse then I do, but I will do what I can to raise my own pocket change to purchase medals from those who will benefit the most. 

 

I buy, I prefer to trade, and have told SO many organization's that they are more then welcome to donate medals from past and present so I can feature each medal with its own blog post and link the medal to the Facebook page and webpages of their choosing to give them some free publicity and help them get out the word of the good they do.

 

Am I getting any money off this? 

ABSOLUTELY NOT!!!!!

 

I DO THIS FOR THE LOVE OF HISTORY.

 

I do this for the hunt of finding the story that inspired the medal.

 

 I do this for the Love of History, I do this for the love of the hours that I spend on research to discover the story of each medal and each organization behind it. 

 

I encourage you all to get Fiesta Medals when and where you can, but please, also make sure you get from the Organizations that will actually benefit the community and not just benefit their bottom lines.

 

Fiesta needs to be getting back to its roots of helping those in need.

Not becoming a free ride for businesses full of greed.

 

 

If any one wants to donate medals, you can send them to me at Fiesta Fun, Vicki Hoffman, 1132 E Carson, San Antonio, TX 78208.

Please include contact information in case I need to contact you for research and follow up.

I can be emailed at sightsofsatx@gmail.com