APFA donation turned away by charitable, called "stripper money"

JBStarryEyedGirl · 2011-02-08T18:40:26+00:00

Ok Veeners! I know we are all very supportive on this site, so I am asking you all a BIG favor! Log on facebook and support the APFA (American Pole Fitness Association) by liking their page, reading the full story, and giving them some positive support. They recently tried to donate to the charity National Breast Cancer Foundation, and were turned away when the representative insuinated that their money would not be acceptable because it is "stripper money". This has of course spurred quite the conversation on facebook with pole addicts weighing in their voices. Please visit both pages and leave your message for them!

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32 replies · page 2 of 2

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Tovah · 2/12/2011
Uh! Don't they know that pain , suffering & disease has no boundaries.
Mary Ellyn · 2/12/2011
OK...my point is still the same...if NBCF turned away another group based on their sexual preferences or their ethnicity people would be appalled. I simply don't think it's right and again, I must emphasize how ridiculous any group or organization would look asking for donations saying we can't tell you the charity you're helping just give us some money. I also don't want to be accused of being selfish or greedy because I won't organize a fundraiser when I have to make it anonymous. Some people think it's wrong to be charitable if there is any benefit in it for yourself such as advertising your own group...however, it's part of business and part of life and it doesn't make it wrong or make your donations less meaningful. Obviously we choose to donate to organizations we believe in and we wish to help. When Komen and Make a Wish wouldn't allow us to donate we forged ahead and donated to the American Cancer Society and The March Of Dimes. And you know I get calls from them every year and donate to them every year since then! They appreciate it and I am happy to support them. I simply do not agree with the rules of charters that discriminate which organizations can promote their fundraisers and which cannot based on what they consider to be ethical or controversial and I don't believe that those organizations have a legitimate basis for making those rules. I also want to emphasize, since things can come across wrong in print, that this isn't an aggressive response but a passionate one and something that I believe strongly in - I believe they are simply wrong to have these rules.
Hana Granados · 2/13/2011
I myself have had some pretty appalling and grossly unprofessional interactions with the people at APFA. This comment stream and the clarifications it contains just reinforces my extreme discomfort that the APFA should be representing the pole community in any way. There is a frenzied quality to their push for publicity and while I respect Tinus need to really push to get her organizaton off the ground I don't think that proffesionalism, common curtesy or editorial due dilligence should be sacrificed just to make a name for herself. (also, she desperately needs a better proof reader!) The pole community is eager to embrace a publication with so much potential to share information, photos and articles and to add to our shared activities, I just wish that the APFA would mature into an organization that better deserved that role.
Poledancefan · 2/13/2011
Uh Oh!... ::Looks around Embarrassed:: When I saw Tinu's clarification, I must admit I felt a little uncomfortable. It's important to be precise when posting publicly on controversial matters. I will now offer a FULL apology for jumping into the fray on my FB page a little too early without firming up my facts. Rest assured I jumped into support Tinu almost reflexively. You ladies have all been so good to me that I get a little protective and defensive right away when someone seems to be attacking pole. And you all know my feelings about anything that seeks to divide exotic dancers from the "rest of us." I really hate that and so Tinu's original post kind of pushed my buttons. But I hope everyone remembers my use of the words "hyper respectful and polite"--so I hope I didn't do any damage to the hobby. Hana, I appreciate your reservations about APFA. I want to remain discreet and supportive of the efforts of anyone who seeks to expand the pole movement. I will go so far as to say that APFA and Pole Spin have had some growing pains. I have dealt with TInu on a 1x1 basis and she can be a "strong" force to deal with. I have communicated privately with polers who have had some "difficulties" with the organization and I do think that APFA has some room to grow in terms of regularizing and adjusting their internal operations to the norms of business practice. (LOL, yes, I know...that sentence is an artful dodge...but work with me here...PLEASE!). We've got some dynamic and strong people in this movement and sometimes their enthusiasm runs ahead of their experience. I'm going to take as positive a view of this as I can of what happened. First of all, I screwed up personally by not tempering my reaction with a little time and thought. And I think Tinu's clarification indicates she knows now that perhaps a more finely tuned post would have ultimately served the cause better. Joel Lessing Forest Park, Illinois Poledancefan mailto:[email protected] Joel Lessing on Facebook
PolefitFanatic · 2/14/2011
I wonder how Sean O'Connor gets on: http://www.pinkpolepower.com/index.html ? ; Although I do note he specifies that he donates to the Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation. Maybe they have a different set of rules.....!
Webmaster · 2/15/2011
@PolefitFanatic - I believe the difference is that he is using it as his donation for the CBCF "Weekend to End Women's Cancers". I don't believe he is giving it under the name Pink Pole Power but under Sean O'Connor. Were he to try to give as Pink Pole Power I am sure he would run into the same issues as several studios have reported the inability to donate to the CBCF under their tradename. From Sean's website I also ask for a donation that currently goes directly to the 60km walk event I'm attending called "Weekend to End Women's Cancers"
Serzi · 2/16/2011
If my name, my money, the manner with which I earned it, or the amount I was capable of raising is not good enough for a charitable organization they do not deserve my support or respect. You get what you give in my book. I have no pity for anyone in this matter except the people who have cancer and could have used those funds to help them. It seems outright shameful that such a donation would be denied due to such superficial reasons, let's remember what the money is actually being collected FOR please. On that note, in the future when I want to donate for the sake of helping save someone's life I will personally find someone in my community who needs the funding for their medical expenses. I am certain that they will not snub my donation based on ridiculous stipulations as to the minimum amount or the fact that I am a pole dancer. Who knows? They may actually appreciate my efforts to help raise money for them instead of for my own selfish needs. ♥ Serzi