Why Don’t We Give?

To the Editor:

I was talking with a friend of mine this week. She got me thinking about why people don’t give. We were discussing charity and giving and she commented that she was “turned off” to giving; gotten burned too many times. You may recall the Red Cross scandal with 9/11 money a few years back. it has happened over and over again with many charities. But is this a good enough reason to not give?

I put some thought into this and assessed the types of charities or events I contribute. For me, “giving” is more than just promising money. It is a personal investment in the outcome of the gift and not necessarily meaningful with a mouse click and a tote bag. Don’t get me wrong, if donating online to your favorite charity satisfies you, then I support it. But if you are skeptical that your money and efforts really make a difference, then you are obligated to find another way to give.

Find something close to home so you can see the cause from the beginning to the end. There are many examples of fundraising and charities right in Newtown where anyone can get involved. There is the skate park which will help give our teens a place to stay out of trouble. There is the food pantry for people that are falling on hard times. We have record foreclosure rates in town and families just scraping by. Maybe a neighbor is choosing between food and a mortgage payment. The Newtown Fund is one of my favorites. Each year we adopt a needy person or participate in the adoption of a family. We receive their list of needs, shop for them and wrap them up in time for the holidays. This year we will be part of the delivery. We will meet the people who will receive our gifts. It’s a personal investment. It hard not to give when you are confident you can make a difference. It’s your obligation.

Susan Horn

12 Grace Moore Road, Sandy Hook                      November 16, 2007