I do beg differ with these two erudite gentlemen. Their conclusion that we do not choose to be generous but rather do so because some primitive need drives us in that direction seems silly to me and contradicts my experience with people. Let me give you an example: several years ago when my children were much younger they were collecting money to support the trip of a sports team- you know what I mean- kids standing in front of a supermarket in their uniforms with a watchful parent nearby asking for donations to help pay for travel costs, uniforms etc-. My youngest son Nick, who was a philosopher even then, made the most astute observation that the individuals who were most likely to drop a coin or a bill into his collection container were the individuals who appeared to have the least to give. According to his real-life experiment the more well-heeled that someone seemed to be correlated with a reduced likelihood to make a donation. So what might explain this? I do believe that people who have first-hand experience with troubled circumstances are more likely to empathize with those who have less. Perhaps that's why they are more likely to donate. And while I do appreciate the role of support from corporate sponsors like Pfizer, General Dynamics, and Mohegan Sun etc and the donations they might make to charities like the United Way, the success of a United Way campaign really does come down to an individual understanding the needs of others and being willing to help.
It has always seemed to me that we, as human service professionals, really do understand and empathize with the troubled circumstances and needs of others and, more importantly we are always willing to help. And from my perspective the work that we do here at Sound Community Services with perhaps the neediest individuals in southeastern Connecticut gives me a renewed appreciation of how much I really do have. Working here at Sound Community Services reminds me of how lucky and blessed I and my family really are and I am sure that many of you share this sentiment!
So this month you will be hearing much about the United Way and the need to help. We will be encouraging you to make either a one time donation or an ongoing donation through payroll deduction to the United Way. And while we realize that due to cuts in our grants we have been unable to give raises we would still like you to consider donating to the United Way. As human service professionals we do understand what other people are going through and we all have a very “up close and personal “ understanding of the impact of mental illness and substance abuse on people's lives. So please take a moment to reflect upon the importance of the United Way to our Intensive Outpatient Program as well as to the southeastern Connecticut community. Our Intensive Outpatient Program receives the majority of its funding form the United Way- without the United Way grant, IOP would cease to exist since it receives NO funding at all from the State of Connecticut.
So what exactly does the United Way do? Your gift to United Way is invested in four focus areas to get results that matter to our community. Here in southeastern Connecticut four priorities have been established: Community Wellness, Thriving Children, Basic Needs and Training and Education for Jobs and United Way funds support 28 local agencies that meet community needs in these areas. IOP is funded under the community wellness initiative
When donating to the United Way you can direct your donation to any one of the United Way agencies or to a particular priority. We of course hope that you will designate your donation to support our Intensive Outpatient Program but the choice is yours. And while the United Way campaign is largely focused on donations there are also many opportunities to volunteer if you are unable to donate. More information about the United Way and its volunteer opportunities can be found at the United Way website at http://www.uwsect.org/.
Be Well!
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I have to agree. Having worked in a hospital many years ago, I kept track of UW contributions. The lowest paid employees were those who worked in the laundry - and 90% of them always gave to UW. There were very few medical staff who gave. Having spent a few holidays being a volunteer bell ringer for the Salvation Army, it was generally the people who could least afford it to drop a donation into the red bucket, and so many were demonstrating this action to their children. I always wonder how many people stop to think of how much they spend a week on lunch - how nice if one week they gave up buying lunch and donated.
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