14 ~ Friday, December 25, 1992 - North Shore News HELP’S AT HAND HELP’S AT Hand, by North Shore Community Services (NSCS), is a forum for discussing government policies and programs, benefits, consumer and legal rights, taxation and public services. Answers are intended only as a general guide and should nat be applied to individual cases without further consultation. Question: l¢ must be the season for fundraising but there are so many people calling me for money these days and I don't always kaw which ones to trust. 1 would like to support charities, but I can’t teli if the people who phone me are legitimate. I read some- thing im the paper about scams through telephone safes, so now I'm afraid to agree to anything. Do you have any suggestions? Answer: The calls that you are receiving are known as telemarketing. The majority of companies and organizations do- ing business by telephone are trustworthy, but some are not. Here are some ways to be prepared. Common sense will often pro- tect you. Is the cafler making unrealistic sounding claims? Have you ever heard of the organization you are being asked to support? Is the caller reluctant to answer your requests for more details? A good way to get more infor- mation about the charity che caller is representing is to ask that they send you written material about their services. This can also give you time to think about your donation. Telemarketing can put a lot of pressure on us to make a quick decision, and that is never a wise way to spend money. You say that you would like to support charities. Have you con- sidered which causes are impor- tant to you? - Try and be specific about your deepest interests. No one can af- ford to give to all of the causes that concern them, so it is impor- tant to plan your giving. This is another way to avoid making impulsive donations that you might regret later. People who want to give to OPEN DURING THE HOLIDAY SEASON! Lunch & Dinner Dinner only Lunch & Dinner Lunch & Dinner Dinner only Lunch & Dinner from all of us! 4373 Marine Dr., W.van. 926-4913 charities but cannot afford the money cain consider donating then time to an organization as a val- unteer. Non-profit organizations are always in) need of board and committee members, office volun- teers, drivers, special events plan- ners, and more. Contact your local volunteer centre to find out more. On the North Shore, contact the volunteer department of our ageney, or read the Options for Volunteers column that also ap- pears in the North Shore News, [If you decide to make a dona- tion to a charity and vou want to check them) out, you can contact the Better Business Bureau at 682-2711 or Revenue Canada, toll-free, at 1-800-267-2384. This column is prepared with financial assistance from the Notary Foundation. For more in- formation call NSCS at 985-7138. ROSSIGNOL 767 Regular price 229.99 ARDAGH HUNTER TURNER Barristers & Solicitors IMPAIRED DRIVING AFTER Mra FREE INITIAL CONSULTATION FAX Criminat Matters Only . a8 3181 | 986-4366 | 986-9286 #300-1401 LONSDALE, NORTH VANCOUVER, B.C. NORDICA 898 Regular price 349.99 NORDICA 427 ladies’ Regular price 129.99 Regular price 199.99 TECNO junior egular price 79.99 MARKER fA37 (3 to 10 D.1.N.) Regular price 139.99