Giving

Seldom a week goes by without someone calling to ask for money.  There are the police, the firemen, a foundation for most every disease known for man, the walks-for-a-cure, the orphans in Israel, the natural disasters, and let’s not forget all those hungry Democrats.  They all seem to have our number and call it just when we are sitting down to dinner.

If we gave freely to each of these entities, we wouldn’t have much left.  As it turns out, we give generously to support things that matter a lot to us.  We mostly like to know how our money will be spent and make sure we’re not feeding a bureaucracy.

I’m ashamed to say that recently I have been ducking the system when I pick up the phone and it’s a solicitation.  I tell the person my husband takes care of this sort of thing (how unfairly sexist of me!) and he’s not available.  If the person is unreasonably obnoxious, I ask to be removed from the calling list.  By law, most organizations must respect such a request.  Unfortunately the politicians are exempt.

It’s tempting to think of dropping our land line and just relying on cell phones, where you are much less likely to get called.  

Right now I am considering making a generous contribution to anyone who is doing research to cure the flu.   I’m ready for my bout to be over and hope I never get it again.