On the very rare occasion that I have to do bank business INSIDE the bank, I squeeze it in on the day the kids are out for the afternoon. That happens to be the same day I mow the lawn, weed the garden, and this past week, clean the gutters on my new house (a task clearly ignored for a good 2 years!).

At 3pm I realized I’d better get to the bank before it got too busy…so I double timed the lawn mowing, jumped in my car (pausing momentarily to appreciate the cleared gutters & tight edge I created between the front lawn & curb with my wicked-awesome Ryobi weed-whacker. Ahhhh…LOVE seeing instant results from hard work!!)…and drove one mile to my bank.

As I sat in the office of the very kind & outgoing customer service manager, I looked at my hand and was shocked & embarrassed that it was dirty! Wait! So was my other hand! And I’m wearing my “lawn mowing sneakers” with the permanent green stains from the lawn … AND A T SHIRT WITH THE SLEEVES CUT OFF!! OMG, WHAT IS WRONG WITH ME?!!?!!

I gasped and said “OMG – I am so sorry. I’ve been doing yard work all day. OMG – what was I thinking? I’m covered in dirt and I’m so gross! I’m so sorry! Usually I don’t come INSIDE the bank, but had to today – and now I’m dirty and in your office!”

She said “Don’t be silly! You’re fine. You came in here the same way a couple of months ago & I admired that you can do that yard stuff – and do it in this heat.”

Great. I’ve done this before? Two months ago? And she remembers? My mother would tell me I should be ashamed of myself. I was. I am. THAT will never happen again.

NEWS RELEASE
Virginia Beach Police Department
Municipal Center
Virginia Beach, VA 23456

7/1/2011​ ​ 2011-103

CHARITABLE ORGANIZATIONS:
CHECK THEM OUT!

Summer is here and folks are out and about, including commercial solicitors and individuals requesting charitable donations. One charitable group, Teens Against Drug Abuse out of Richmond, VA has been in our City recently requesting donations on behalf of the organization that claims to support youth programs and summer trips to keep kids off drugs. Several teens have been dropped off from vans and have been going door to door, unattended, selling candy on behalf of the organization. Upon investigation, the police department discovered this particular organization is not permitted to solicit in the Commonwealth of Virginia. While charitable organizations may not need a City Solicitor’s Permit, they do need other documentation and permits. Do you know how to verify the legitimacy and status of a charitable organization?

The Virginia Office of Consumer Affairs has a website where you can search the name of a charitable organization and ascertain their status. Simply go to:  http://www.vdacs.virginia.gov/consumers/ and click on “searchable databases.” By entering the name of the organization, you can determine whether they are “non-profit” or “for profit,” as well as whether or not they are permitted to solicit anywhere in Virginia. As always, if you encounter a suspicious individual or someone soliciting who does not have proper identification or permits, please call the police non-emergency number (385-5000) and ask for an officer to check them out.

For more crime prevention tips, please call the Virginia Beach Police Department’s Crime Prevention Unit at 385-1006 or visit www.vbgov.com and select Crime Prevention.

SEARCH OUR CHARITABLE ORGANIZATION DATABASE
Primary Name:
Teens Against Drug Abuse
Other Names:

Federal Employer ID Number (EIN)
753223246
Address:
101 Poe St., Apt. 40
Richmond VA, 23222
Current Registration Expires:

Registration Extended Until:
N/A
Registration Filing Status:
Organization is not authorized to solicit in Virginia
IRS Filing Status:
PROFIT