Jason-
thank you for the reply. I had the “this is a no” negitive attitude for a few days and it was really causing me to nose dive like crazy. Its a funny bizz. Your attitude is everything . In our world if a guy came on our doorstep frustrated cause all day long no one said yes, I would want to help just to pick up his spirits. But its not like that in the real world. You have to have a happy, confident, almost arrogant attitude. We are taught to lead them to believe that everyone on their street helped and they should to. And they usually do what their neighbors do. Thats what we are taught. I have a different approach. I try and make them laugh and get them to help on account of the desperation and dire straights of the fire dept. which isnt mis leading, these depts rally are just hanging on by a thread and the need for help is very desperate. It works better for me. I have the best closing rate of all I work with, with the exception of my boss but he has been doing it 20 yrs vs my 1 year. I relate well with these folks. I work in rural areas and I am a down home country boy so they are my kind of people. The cocky approach doesn’t suit me and conflicts with my own ethics and virtues.
“We’re trying to find people who WANT to help donate to our . . . .” thats good thinking , funny cause I already use it in my presentation, different spin but same context.

I may have a big heart but it is only cause I was raised by great people
and just to be clear, I have no problem with folks that say no, only those that have so much more than most and couldnt care less about helping the fire fighters. Many of those that say no I stay and visit with if they want to talk.

Thanks Ella, thats good thinking. Every day I meet great people. It seems every day I meet one that I get along with so well we talk for 30 min or more. Many times I meet people that are going through very bad times, lose of a loved one or sickness. I try and spend a few min with them and give some kind words. One young lady I met had just lost her job that morning, she was a young single mom with 3 kids and it was a week before Christmas. When I met her she lost it and just started crying. I did my best to offer kind words and listen to her get it out. I like to think I make a difference to these people. I also like to believe I have wisdom and a kind heart, therefore I am above those that care nothing about helping a good cause and I should not let it get me down. But I guess I am human and all the rejections eventually add up and overwhelm me. Understand it is not the rejections that bother me, its the ones that dont care that have so much more than the average person. They are the ones that bother me.