Our staff fund for our IT group works really well and cuts out all those annoying distracting visits. I recall when the uncle of a senior staff in another area passed away, our director suggested that a donation be made from our staff fund - it went to a vote, I voted no, but majority ruled for a $30 amount.
One time another group invited us to share someone's' birthday cake and on arrival we were then informed that if we wanted a slice of cake we had to pay a buck - can you imagine!
Now for one of our own, whose 10 year old daughter fought brain cancer over a 4 year period, we raised $6,000 to help defer frequent family travel costs away for treatments. After her death earlier this year we made a $250 donation to the Canadian Cancer Society in her name, and gave our colleague the receipt to use as an income tax credit.
Another close colleague & neighbour (only 53, super fit guy, with two young daughters) was diagnosed with a brain tumour in early September, it was removed, but biopsy showed it was an aggressive malignant stage 4 tumour, and he died just 3 weeks after surgery before chemotherapy & radiation treatments were scheduled to start. We raised $2,000 in just one week to help cover anticipated family cost associated with his illness. Fortunately he had mortgage insurance plus an additional 3X annual salary life insurance at work, so at least his wife is well provided for.
