I am very disappointed with one of my favourite charities.
At this time of year I am bombarded with mail from many worthwhile charities. I have donated to several in the past, but as my income shrinks I have to be more selective of who receives my funds.
I have always been miffed by the huge amount of address labels, blank cards, note paper, cheap pens and the like that are sent to me to solicit my donation. I am offered junk which has nothing to do with the cause hoping to entice and reward me for my money. I don’t want this stuff. Your reason for being is enough. Do you do good in the world? The money actually goes to where it is needed? That is good enough.
I loathe the long letters that complete these packages, not only for the waste of paper, but they start to sound like needy, whiny relatives who don’t work but expect me to support them.
I support a local organization that sends me email newsletters occasionally during the year showing me where my money is going. X number of dollars spent on this. No pie charts, no gloss. No whining about costs, inflation, no complaints or pleading. This is what we did with your money. Here’s what we need for what in the future. Yay.
The charity that irked me however is a favourite of mine, that set up an office in my country because I presume we are donating lots of money to them. They sent me a letter in which they apologize for delays in their mailings, offer me the token junk, and then proceed to blame our government for their problems. They are very upset because our government investigated them, found they are not obeying our tax laws and now demand they comply. Imagine that.
Because they did not bother to research our laws in the first place, or worse, chose to ignore them, they are now mad it is costing them money and time to follow our rules. And they want me to pay for it!
We are a generous nation, this is well known. But I am incensed with organizations who love our money and complain bitterly about our laws. Laws that protect our citizens, our way of life, values and livelihood. They make little effort to learn of us and then condemn us for enforcing our laws. If you are going to disrespect what we have worked so hard for, I take offense at that. Not to mention it cost us taxpayers lots of money to investigate you and make sure your business complies with our regulations, and continues to do so.
I did write this organization a brief letter, but who knows who will read it. I hate to complain about charities, I have never done so in my life. They serve valuable and necessary functions and I support that. Just don’t bite the hand that feeds you. Only my cat is allowed to do that.