Charity

[white_raven23]

Son of a FUCKIN bitch!!!

 

It’s that time of year. One would think that since I have never been willing to contribute to United Way, that people in my workplace would leave me alone about it.

 

No.

 

I did not respond to the e-mail that got sent around asking which presentation I want to attend. So when the co-worker came around with the clipboard verifying which presentation folks wanted to go to, I thought she’d skip my desk.

 

Nope. She stops and asks.

 

I tell her I’m not attending.

 

She blinks at me….and actually says “But it’s mandatory.”

 

I tell her “It is NOT. I’m not going.”

 

She walked away looking like I’d slapped her….I even re-checked the original e-mail. Nothing says it’s mandatory. And if my boss asks me about it, I will simply ask what part of “charity” sounds “mandatory”?

 

I do not respond well to peer pressure. Especially when it comes to money that I work for.

 

I do small acts of charity. I don’t kill the person with 15 items in the ten items or less line. I let people into traffic when I could just as easily not let them in. I let people know when they have stuff on their face, or are about to drive off with stuff on their car roofs.

 

Occasionally I will get involved in walks and collect sponsors for those, but I benefit too, as it’s an excuse to get my own butt moving.

 

But “contributing” to United Way? Being pressured by co-workers into chucking my money at people? Fuck NO.

[SWIM]

You know the old saying "Charity begins at home." ? I practice this. Plenty of relatives that need help. Bought my brother a car and a motorcycle, as well as a computer. Give my daughters a ton of money... etc etc Not going into a brag fest, the point of my reply being there is PLENTY you can do at home in a manner where the *entire* amount you give goes to charity. Organized charities give me a suspcious feeling. I am sure they are not all corrupt, but I still don't trust them.

 

There are so many things that can be done to help right in your own world most of the time, that, if you *like* to give and help (I do) for no other reason then to simply make someone's life better, there is plenty you can do at home.

 

I also hate peer pressure. I dispised having to "put on a custom" for halloween simply because some idiot in the office higher up then me decided it would be "fun" to make it mandatory... Glad I am out of that world now...

[pandora]

You know the old saying "Charity begins at home." ? I practice this. Plenty of relatives that need help. Bought my brother a car and a motorcycle, as well as a computer. Give my daughters a ton of money... etc etc Not going into a brag fest, the point of my reply being there is PLENTY you can do at home in a manner where the *entire* amount you give goes to charity. Organized charities give me a suspcious feeling. I am sure they are not all corrupt, but I still don't trust them.

 

There are so many things that can be done to help right in your own world most of the time, that, if you *like* to give and help (I do) for no other reason then to simply make someone's life better, there is plenty you can do at home.

 

I also hate peer pressure. I dispised having to "put on a custom" for halloween simply because some idiot in the office higher up then me decided it would be "fun" to make it mandatory... Glad I am out of that world now...

 

 

I wish more families were like that... that's neat that you did that for them.

[Astreja]

I once worked at a small accounting firm that had 100% participation in their United Way drives.

 

One year, we received an invite to a UW campaign wrap-up party. It was cheap, $5 per ticket, so I decided to go.

 

The affair was held at a glitzy downtown nightclub, hosted by a local media personality and featuring a Chinese buffet. It was obvious to me that this little shindig cost more than the cover charge could ever cover. Which meant that some of the party was being financed by my donation.

 

I worked at the same company for one more year, and gave only $5 just so they could make their 100% participation. And then I quit, for unrelated reasons. And never gave to the United Way again.

[Amethyst]

I hate that type of pressure, particularly since my local United Way still gives money to groups that discriminate against gays. I will not knowingly donate to any organization that contributes to discrimination. I gave clothing to my local thrift store instead.

 

As for the manditory Halloween costumes? Don't wear one and say you dressed up as a Muggle.

[Guest Ephesos]

what the heck is your "United way" - some "organisation" that likes to waste money that those people too stupid to see it will "willingly" give them?

 

There is no reason such "organizations" really exist, since "money" won't feed you. Same is true for begging... some time ago, a girl on the street begged - and she said she was hungry. So I crossed the street, entered a subway, bought a large sub and gave her half. That way, she's no longer hungry, and I know she won't spend money on something she won't need...

If people who "collect" for some organisation (whatever that may be) show up, I tend to ask them "oh, you bring me money? I'm poor, I can use it, you know?"... normally that makes them leave.

[Ro-bear]

When I worked for Service Merchandise Company it was a given that employees with aspirations of moving up would give generously to Jerry's Kids. Muscular Dystrophy was the pet charity of the Zimmermans, who owned the company. Every year Harry and Mary, the patriarch and matriarch, would appear on TV giving Jerry Lewis a huge-ass check.

 

This is great, but the coercion part was not so great.

 

I think MD disproportionately affects Jews. The Zimmermans and Lewis are/were Jews. Probably just a coincidence, though. I would hate to think that religion or ethnicity would motivate coercive behavior.