Last weekend me and my husband were invited for a charity event. It was a kick-off meeting for a volley-ball event. This kick-off was at someone's house. It was very kind of them to open their house for more than twenty people and showering with their hospitality to all.
It's a community event and I think wherever you go, it doesn't matter who you are or where you belong to, humanity is all about coming together and helping an event if that will bring happiness and opportunity for people. This was for children to play volleyball and travel across States where they represent different teams and hence have to be given proper lodging and boarding facilities, proper food, sports uniforms, first-aid and so on. All this requires money and hence charity is the mode where they were looking for support. The support could be through paying money, volunteering, or by sharing coupons for twenty five dollars, or marketing about them such that it will generate more awareness and that could bring more help and donation.
"Always give without remembering and always receive without forgetting." ~ Brian Tracy
It started with an introduction about the charity organization and it's board members. The treasurer also shared last years collection and where all the money was spent. This year the volleyball game will be hosted in California and hence the expense will be more. The cause is for children who are at the age to play a sport, specially volleyball and to get coached from senior players from the team and support them in every way to play in a league or even go into Olympics as well. These kids will get introduced early to healthy life-style, and fitness.
After the introduction and honoring the guests, there was dinner for everyone. The food was delicious and it was home made. Everyone had a chance to get introduced while having dinner and all of a sudden someone mentioned to us (we ladies were sitting on the dinning table), on our kick-off day itself we got the highest donation of ten thousand dollars. Everyone got excited to see this great beginning and asked who is that person. Immediately we were introduced to the person who donated that money. This person is in real estate business and they said hello to us, while each one of us was being introduced by their name. There was one lady from our table, congratulated that person and said I also run a charity organization for women who are in distress and abused by the society or family. It will be good if you can support us as well.
"I have found that among its other benefits, giving liberates the soul of the giver." ~ Maya Angelou
I thought that was a decent way to put it because many times it is a challenge for any charity organization to ask for money directly and this was the moment where charity support is the cause.
The person who was all nice and smiling, suddenly had a shrewd look and they said, it's a give and take thing. You give me business and I will give the money out of the profit that I make through that business.
"It's easier to take than to give. It's nobler to give than to take. The thrill of taking lasts a day. The thrill of giving lasts a lifetime." ~ Joan Marques
The moment I saw their face expression and their way of talking to this lady, it completely made me very uncomfortable. I am not sure how I would have reacted if I was that lady. But something that I witnessed couldn't go off my mind. The shrewd and mean face is what I remember not what they did or gave!!!!
Charity is all about good will and help the needy. I understand here the situation was not for people who are hungry and living in poverty but still organizations who run charity for women or children it is for their development and support. The person could have easily said sure and moved on as no one was coming after them for money at that moment.
The way the person spoke to that lady, the body language, it gave me an impression that the person is doesn't respect people but only those who have money. I literally felt very embarrassment as this happened in front of lot of people. There was a silence for a second and people didn't know how to react. Good that they lady asked as if nothing happened, and continued where do you stay, you should probably come to my home for a cup of coffee.
"Money is not the only commodity that is fun to give. We can give time, we can give our expertise, we can give our love, or simply give a smile. What does that cost? The point is, none of us can ever run of something worthwhile to give." ~ Steve Goodier
I do not respect people who show-off their money in the name of charity. I often felt charity should be given anonymously if possible. Even if one happen to give a cheque of ten thousand dollars, one doesn't have to show off that they are great. I think it's a humble and kind act. If you have a lot you give a little from your share to those who don't have enough. There is nothing to feel proud because money is such a thing it comes and goes. It's the people who we have to hold on to. Humility and kindness is what we expect from people who donate because I feel they have bigger heart where they are ready to accommodate who are in need.
"You give but little when you give of your possessions. It is when you give of yourself that you truly give." ~ Khalil Gibran
I had to write this post because this incident was bothering me for two reasons, one the way they spoke to the lady and then about give and take charity. Never heard such thing and specially from the one whom everyone is praising for the donation.
I figure these days charity is a business and it is hard to understand who is helping from heart for the well being and who is doing it for self-promotion.
"Happiness doesn't result from what we get, but from what we give" ~ Ben Carson
~ Dawn
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