I have volunteered for them in the past...I also adopted two families for christmas from them two years ago. One was a single mother and daughter. the other was a family of six. SA gave the mother of six my phone number, they asked permission said it was so she could thank me. NOT the case she wanted the receipts for the things she was give (this was two weeks before Christmas) I am guessing she wanted the $ for something else. Sadly we purchased everything on the list. Needless to say I will NEVER do it again! As for paying volunteers it absolutly detracts from what they are doing my money is not going to the organization it is going to the fund raiser. I am a mother of three, run a home day care and attend nursing school three night a week and every saturday. I now volunteer with Make a wish foundation where all money raised stays in the community 90% of every dollar goes to the children and there are NO paid fundraisers/collectors. What's your excuse?