Re: E'tikaf 2009
If you can't afford to pay for it, you probably shouldn't be doing it. I find it annoying that I'd be asked to make a donation so someone can get off work for 10 days and sit in a Masjid.
Its sunnah, and therefore not mandatory. Therefore, you should really pay for it yourself if you want to do it.
Besides, how do I know where this money is going?