Every year, city employees receive their annual raise in October. And every September, city employees receive brochures from charity groups such as the United Way seeking donations for their cause. Before you can even think about what to do with the money you receive, someone has plans for you on how to spend that raise.
Yesterday, the city and America'a Charities hosted a luncheon at the arena. Several booths were set up with representatives from those charities answering any questions you may have regarding their organization and what their cause is.
I usually make a donation to a charity by having a weekly deduction taken out of my check. I usually make a donation to the Alzheimer Resource Center. My mother passed away from complications caused by Alzheimer's, and the Resource Center was there with any assistance I may have needed. And I always refer people to the resource center if they are going through any experiences with a family member similar to the experiences I had with my mother.
There are other organizations that I have given donations to, such as organizations that work with children.
Yesterday, as I arrived at the arena and proceeded to walk around the rows of tables, I noticed that there were several organizations present whose charity status I had to question.
There were booths set up for the Orlando Museum of Art, the Orlando Ballet, the Maitland Art Center, and other groups representing the arts.
I always thought of a charity as an organization that raises funds for research to find a cure for a disease, such as the Muscular Dystrophy Association or the American Cancer Society. These are groups that I have contributed to in the past, either by donations or volunteering time.
As for the art groups that were represented, these are groups that rely on ticket sales, admissions, and season tickets for revenue. And these groups cater to a small population of the city. But it is a population with a large income.
I guess I have a problem with this because I do not consider these groups as charities. Especially cultural organizations that hold black tie events for professionals with a substantial income. I cannot afford to go to these functions, and they want me to make a donation?
If I am going to make a contribution to a charity, it will be to one that will save someone's life. Or to an organization that offers a helping hand to someone who needs it.
