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November 30, 2001/Kislev 15, 5762, Vol. 54, No. 12
Give all yearEditorialThe Red Cross has been under a microscope since Sept. 11. A flood of donations - amounting to $543 million - was supposedly earmarked for the "Liberty Fund" for victims of the terrorist attacks. When news broke that Red Cross officials planned to allocate portions of this money for long-term projects, donors were outraged. In response, the Red Cross has guaranteed that all of the money will aid the victims of the attacks.Americans are very good at reacting to disasters: The Red Cross collected $55 million for the victims of the 1989 San Francisco earthquake; $13 million for victims of the bombing of the federal building in Oklahoma City in 1995; and $4 million for Red River flood victims in Minnesota and North Dakota in 1997. But how do we diefine disaster? Random earthquakes, floods and wildfires; or homelessness, illiteracy and hunger? We as a nation are slow to respond to the chronic disasters that plague our society. As the end of the year approaches, nonprofit organizations across the Valley worry whether there will be enough diapers and enough blankets, enough volunteers and enough mentors. Already, in the chill of Arizona's winter, homeless shelters are filled to capacity, forcing many people to seek refuge on the streets. Writing a single check to ease our conscience is no solution to society's ills. Selective giving of time and money to various nonprofit agencies - including the Red Cross and United Way - throughout the year can make a difference. Tragically, because of various factors, a number of people depend upon nonprofit agencies for shelter, food, clothing and medication. Nonprofits cannot survive if limited to federal or state tax allocations and our voluntary state tax credits. These organizations depend upon private contributions. While it is vital to give to relief agencies during times of crisis, it is equally important to address chronic, ongoing need. The days between Thanksgiving and the New Year are called the season of giving. The real season of giving should last all year long. |
