CHARITIES NEED MORE THAN CHECKS

Published Nov. 2, 2006 in "The Oklahoma Daily"
Viewable Online Here

For probably as long as humans have walked the earth, some form of charity has existed. Early on, it was likely motivated by survival, with abler members of clans helping out those in need to ensure a stronger clan overall.

Later, as political, social and economic systems became more developed, distinct social classes also came about.

With these classes, the differences between those more fortunate and less fortunate grew more and more pronounced. Whether as genuine aid, social façade or political maneuver, the poor received aid periodically from the richer upper classes.

This was especially the case among the religious: Most religions required, and still require, almsgiving of its members. Examples of this include tithing in Christian denominations and zakat in Islam. The great majority of religious almsgiving was done and is done in terms of money.

For the majority of people, donations make up the bulk of non-religious charitable activities, as well. It’s hardly a surprise, since donating monetarily is a very easy thing to do, provided one has sufficient funds. These donations can range from pocket change in a jar next to a cash register to multimillion-dollar gifts given by high-profile celebrities and anonymous donors to numerous causes and groups.

Believe me when I say that no charitable organization will ever refuse money.

Why would they? Their very existence requires capital. Even for an organization run completely by volunteers, permits must be purchased, and often liability insurance must be maintained.

For organizations that provide food and other supplies, the amount of money required increases exponentially. Everything they provide — every article of clothing, every item of food — must be obtained somewhere. More often than not, it is purchased on the open market, albeit at reduced rates.

Monetary donations are essential to keep charities functioning and useful.

There is absolutely no problem with these donations or those that donate in this way. On the contrary — they are to be commended for helping by doing what they can do. This should not, however, be considered all they can do. By no means is simply donating money an acceptable substitute for physically working with a cause.

The basic reason why monetary donations don’t work as a substitute is that the human element cannot be replaced.

Consider the example of Habitat for Humanity, a group well known for building houses for deserving families that cannot afford them. Even if an unlimited amount were donated in cash and goods for the building of a particular house, it could not be completed without people to build it.

Human beings, obviously, are the crucial part of any human endeavor, charitable or not. In the arena of charitable groups and alms, people, through their time and efforts, are what drive the benevolence.

People also make that benevolence more significant and meaningful. As helpful and essential as monetary donations are, simply writing a check to go toward relief in a hurricane-devastated area is not the same as physically bringing supplies and aiding in rescue efforts. If you can only donate, then by all means, donate all that you can.

If you can, however, give not only your money, but your time and strength as well.

Not only will you yourself be closer to the situation and individuals that you are seeking to help, but because of your personal involvement, you will also derive a level of satisfaction from your work that is virtually unattainable by simply mailing in a check.

The sacrifices made in earning and writing the amount on the check simply pale in comparison to those made in the course of donating physical efforts.

Charity has evolved, keeping pace with human advancements in society, economy and, of course, prosperity.

Because of both the large amounts of disposable wealth among the wealthier social strata and the ease with which virtually any cause can be supported, charitable activity is more dominant now than ever before in history.

Unfortunately, it is also arguable that most of that activity in our fast-paced, online-banking-infused world is of the monetary type. Of course that money is being well-utilized, but something very important is being taken out of the picture — the crucial human element.

It is this that gives meaning to sacrificing of self to help others, to give with open arms to a total stranger, to the sheer joy of volunteering.

And that is something a donation of money, no matter how great, will never be able to truly emulate.