This is the time of year my mail box
starts filling with calendars, personal return address labels and other unsolicited
trivia from organizations purported to be charities.
First question that comes to mind is, how
did they get my name and address? Did the D.A.V or American Legion sell it
along with all other donor’s information? Were their records hacked?
Many charities are out and out scams.
Then the question is, how much goes to
those in need after all the expenses of the fund raising?
Some worthwhile charities with good
reputations seem to be taken over and lose their focus. Military Order of The
Purple Heart?
Some don’t just focus on the needs of the
people they are supposedly helping but have social/political agendas. Wounded
Warriors? Some do get my pennies. Soldier’s Angels.
Circa 1970’s my now ex wife and other
parents founded a chapter of the National Autism Association in the Seattle
area. The focus was on helping families with autistic children cope. A few
years later we founders were ousted in a coup and the chapter became a fund
raiser for the professionals at the University of Washington to fund
their various studies.
Today I always say “Yes” when asked to “round
up” at my local grocery store for the food bank. As far as I know most of what
is raised does provide food.
Occasionally when I know of good people
struggling I will buy durable food staples and leave a few sacks on their
doorstep, or in the bed of their pickup, and then walk away.
Have you ever watched someone, usually a young
mother, counting her change before going in and prepaying for gasoline? Ever
walk over and swipe you credit card at her pump and fill her tank? That is
giving with a purpose.
