Donation "Gifts" from Election Campaigns and Other Places



Since I receive e-mail from just about every place imaginable, I actually somehow signed up to receive messages from both the Democratic and Republican campaigns for just about every upcoming election. One thing that is consistent is that they all want my contributions, but in some cases they will give you special swag. I found it interesting that for the exact same $35 donation you can receive a very different special gift from either campaign. 

If you donate $35 to the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee (DCCC) you will receive two reusable cloth face masks that not only help reduce the spread of respiratory viruses, but help promote that everybody go out and vote during the election. You can definitely purchase face masks for less, (like from one of my co-workers who sells custom made, decorative masks for just $7 to $9 on Etsy), but you are also paying more to help the Democratic Party promote their candidates.

If you donate $35 to the Trump re-election campaign you receive a personalized platinum membership card you can carry with you which you can use to.... well, maybe open a door? Put it in front of your face when you are about to cough or sneeze? I am not sure but there is bound to be a use for the card. I believe I am on the Trump mailing list because I clicked on a link once where you could answer a survey on how well you thought President Trump has been doing in office. The available options were "Great", "Good", "Okay" or "Other". Nice choices,

Of course who actually gives out the best donation goodies is my alma mater and employer, Washington University in St. Louis, who will give you an umbrella along with a phone wallet if you donate ANY amount of your choosing (yes, even just $10 or $5). 


Now that is quite a deal, although I would actually prefer receiving the value of those gifts in the form of part of the matching employer contribution they formerly gave to us in our retirement accounts. Hopefully in the next fiscal year they will start contributing to our retirements again, but for now I will have to be happy with an umbrella and a phone wallet (and still having a job there too!) They wouldn't layoff an alumni who is a faithful donor to their "Loyalty Society" would they?

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