I worked for a domestic violence shelter for years. Our families had clothes coming out the wazoo after being with us for a week or two. We also provided diapers, wipes, a lot of food (fresh stuff was hard- milk, cheese, veggies, fruit), and toiletries.
I can absolutely see how these requests might be what this family really wants. I know some families we had staying with us had really poor parenting skills and it made it hard to "hang out" in the living area with them. Honestly, sometimes it was really challenging for staff and we were being paid PLUS we got to go home at the end of our shift! Some families preferred to spend their free time in their rooms instead when we had families with lots of parenting/behavior issues. We provided a TV/DVD player in the rooms, but I heard from lots of families who went on to transitional shelter that this wasn't provided there.
We also had a computer with internet for resident use. Again, this wasn't the case in the transitional shelters in this county. I know that computers are usually available at the library, but for filling out forms, job searching, looking for housing, saving things- well, I can see why it's on the wish list.
I agree that these are HUGE requests and really big ticket items. I'm kind of surprised that this is all that was on the list- and I would have encouraged the family making the list to add explanations regarding intended use or priority or used items being great too or whatever if this is really all they want for Christmas.
OP- I'd second the suggestion about the day after Thanksgiving sales if you're willing to brave the crowds and sacrifice some sleep! I think the idea of 1/8 of a computer, 1/4 of a TV is fabulous! I personally think that a laptop w/ DVD player would be awesome- and even without crazy sales they are pretty cheap now. We bought our laptop a couple months ago for under $500- I can't remember how much it was exactly- but it's awesome and really has way more features than we're even using!
If it were me- I'd try for a new laptop for the family and then look for everything else used on ebay or craig's list. Maybe someone in your department even has a used tv/dvd player/i pod to donate???
FWIW- my dd decided an Ipod would be awesome when she was 9. And she goes to a small (less than 60 children) charter school with no peer pressure that I've aware of surrounding electronics- they aren't allowed at school. We don't watch TV and we don't have Ipods. Yet she still thought it would be awesome. I'm still not sure how she even knew about them... All this is to say that the draw of the Ipod is strong among the youth...
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I can absolutely see how these requests might be what this family really wants. I know some families we had staying with us had really poor parenting skills and it made it hard to "hang out" in the living area with them. Honestly, sometimes it was really challenging for staff and we were being paid PLUS we got to go home at the end of our shift! Some families preferred to spend their free time in their rooms instead when we had families with lots of parenting/behavior issues. We provided a TV/DVD player in the rooms, but I heard from lots of families who went on to transitional shelter that this wasn't provided there.
We also had a computer with internet for resident use. Again, this wasn't the case in the transitional shelters in this county. I know that computers are usually available at the library, but for filling out forms, job searching, looking for housing, saving things- well, I can see why it's on the wish list.
I agree that these are HUGE requests and really big ticket items. I'm kind of surprised that this is all that was on the list- and I would have encouraged the family making the list to add explanations regarding intended use or priority or used items being great too or whatever if this is really all they want for Christmas.
OP- I'd second the suggestion about the day after Thanksgiving sales if you're willing to brave the crowds and sacrifice some sleep! I think the idea of 1/8 of a computer, 1/4 of a TV is fabulous! I personally think that a laptop w/ DVD player would be awesome- and even without crazy sales they are pretty cheap now. We bought our laptop a couple months ago for under $500- I can't remember how much it was exactly- but it's awesome and really has way more features than we're even using!
If it were me- I'd try for a new laptop for the family and then look for everything else used on ebay or craig's list. Maybe someone in your department even has a used tv/dvd player/i pod to donate???
FWIW- my dd decided an Ipod would be awesome when she was 9. And she goes to a small (less than 60 children) charter school with no peer pressure that I've aware of surrounding electronics- they aren't allowed at school. We don't watch TV and we don't have Ipods. Yet she still thought it would be awesome. I'm still not sure how she even knew about them... All this is to say that the draw of the Ipod is strong among the youth...
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Yeah, there are scammers but for every scammer there are many truly in need and these types of programs can really bring some joy to them. 
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Um, yeah that is strange, I do know though that my friend's then 7 yo son asked for a Ipod last year at Christmas time. She got him a cheap Mp3 player, so I guess the 7 year old asking for this isn't that strange. However with kids that young, I definitely will revise what I said to say that all those electronics are not necessary.
