Charity

A charity is an organization founded, frequently, by someone of whom you've never heard, to collect contributions for a cause that sounds lofty and/or important. If you give money to a few of these groups, you will receive solicitations from many others, because one of their sources of income comes from the sale of your name to other charities.

Each charity has an executive officer. This person draws compensation of at least $250,000 per annum. He or she hires a firm to mail out solicitations with annoying frequency. This probably costs another quarter million. After these generous outlays, a part of what is left of the collected contributions goes to the avowed work of the charity. How much a part determines how valuable the work of the group is.

With my meager finances, I can only give a small amount, once per year. So, when I receive several solicitations, the group's cost may very well be cancelling out my contribution.

Most people support charities to make themselves feel good, and assuage the guilt they have over some perceived wrong that they, or some of their ancestors, may have inflicted on persons, animals, or places in the past. So, if you're contemplating donating to Save the Badgers, More Bling for Athletes, The Antarctic Mosquito Breeding Program, Companion Rats for the Elderly, or the Bird Fund (In college, my acquaintance, Leeds Bird, stood on the corner with a collection receptacle [a can.]), I hope it makes you feel all warm and fuzzy.