Charitable ethics?
A month or two ago, I threw away a crucifix. I'm not a Catholic, so a crucifix doesn't quite hold the significance for me that it could. Still, I threw it in the garbage only after engaging in intense self-scrutiny and informally polling a few family members and friends on the potential eternal consequences of such an act. The small symbol had been sent to me by a charitable organization with, presumably, the intention of arousing my giving impulses. I knew I would not display it anywhere and, having just moved to a new house six months ago, I've made a personal pledge to avoid the accumulation of any further knick-knacks that will be unused, stored in boxes, and carted along to the yet another attic next time we move. In my own defense, I should add that I at least attempted to pawn the object off to someone else before resorting to the trash can. No takers.
Today, I received a mailed request from the Sierra Club to join their team. Upon opening the envelope, I found myself disappointed not to find any freebies enclosed. I realized that I've come to expect, almost with a sense of entitlement, such things to accompany fundraising letters. My husband, on the other hand, received a request from St. Jude's, which treats children with cancer. His included two sheets of address labels. Now that is a useful and appealing freebie! However, recalling the crucifix dilemma as I read the heart-wrenching letter about children with terminal illness, I began to wonder about this whole thing. Is it ok to keep and use gifts sent on behalf of suffering children, even if I don't give to their cause? What about the ethics on the part of benevolent organizations sending such things to people in an attempt to manufacture feelings of obligation to give? Neither the Sierra Club nor St. Jude's will be receiving donations from us - not because we're heartless, but because our charitable giving funds are designated elsewhere. I have to admit, though, that the Sierra Club's letter made it into the recycling bin a heckuva lot faster than St. Jude's. I'm not sure what to think about that.
Comments
Sarah,
I also have been deluged with freebies after a one time donation to the March of Dimes. Some useful, like the address labels, some not so useful, like a strange pendent I received from another org. that I don't remember. But this is a question that I ask: Is it okay for those organizations to which you, in good faith, sent them a donation, for them to turn around and sell your name and address to other charitable organizations, so they can solicit you for more donations, thus triggering the inevitable guilt response?
Posted by: Jan | January 11, 2006 11:35 PM
An excellent point, Jan.
Posted by: sarah | January 12, 2006 07:31 PM