The easy way, of course, is through something like a tithe. It's easy because you agree to a certain percentage of your net or gross and pay that amount - no questions asked, no feedback reports expected or given. Reminders are given over the pulpit and in the lessons and written material of the church. But they tend to be minimal even subtle.
It seems a harsh word to call these organizations beggars and characterize their activity as begging. But isn't that exactly what they are and what they're doing. Other than checking out sthe reliability, character, and principles of the company based on their self-reporting, we usually know nothing about a cause we're supporting. An NPR or CNN report on such an organizatsioan mean a lifeline, rescuoing them or it can be death if suspect conditions exist.
But the chance of such a report is pretty minimal so it's left to us, the donor to make some of the hard decisions. I suspect that will always be difficult.
My stack of mail would be as thick as yours if I kept them, too. I hate thinking my donations are going to the cost of all this mail we receive on a monthly basis. But I feel the need to contribute regularly to some that hit close to home like the American Diabetes Association, Huntsman Cancer Institute, American Cancer Society, Arthritis Foundation, and Primary Childrens Hospital; and others occasionally. Sure hope it's used wisely. Nothing could make Lynda's family happier than to see new and better ways coping with type 1 diabetes.
ReplyDeleteNo, Jessica, we don't need the ones you get with our names. What we can't figure out are the ones we get for Tiffany when she NEVER lived here.
ReplyDeleteLee, I think there's asignificant difference in that tithing has a double screen for information. A donor knows neither what causes are being supported nor how much support is going there. On the other hand, we are assured that nothing is being used for the administration expenses.