I wanted to contribute something mostly for karma. I hope that I never need this type of help, but if I do, I hope that there will be people willing to help my family.
I took this yesterday:
Then went back today with some food.
As I drove through the drop-off site and noted the many cars that preceded and followed mine, I teared up. I frantically searched for my sunglasses to hide my emotion. It's a wonderful thing to see so many giving to strangers.
At the same time I felt supremely inadequate. Is this why people DON'T donate? You drive up and offer your contribution...maybe it is small, as my family's was...and I felt a bit silly handing over my one or two bags each day. I saw on the news people driving up and donating trunk-fulls of goods. We can't offer that. But we did contribute, in our small way. The diapers we donated will diaper a child for a week or so. 11 people will have a toothbrush. A mom will have some wet-wipes to clean her kids' hands before a meal, or after. A woman will have some women stuff for her next cycle.
It is something.
At the same time it is somewhat intimidating to offer up your small contribution face-to-face to someone who might be judging your support as too small. There was a Dateline (I think) on tonight. A rerun, and I've watched it every time it's run. It asks the billionaires of the world why they don't contribute more, and shows that the people that give the most are those who are very poor or very wealthy. The middle class doesn't give as much.
I think the middle class doesn't give as much because they are afraid to be judged as not giving enough. So, they just don't give.
The thing is, the people who are receiving the donations don't know who gave how much, and they don't care if we gave very little. The people that receive my family's small contribution will be grateful because they can brush their teeth and wear deodorant.
We do what we can and hope that we help in some small way.
5 people like me!:
Giving is good, no matter how much you give. In a way it's similar to voting. Some people don't vote because they say, "my one little vote won't make a difference."
When everyone gives a little, the getters get a lot.
We had friends whose house burned down. Trust me, when there is a disaster, people are grateful for even the smallest of donations. It's not the amount, but the intent, and the charity that is in your heart. You are a great role model for your kids!
You gave a wonderful donation. Those families will really be appreciative.
We cannot give a lot. I hate that. But we always try to give a little.
Good for you for helping out those in need :)
Nice thoughtful post...It is a great thing to give, both for others sake and for our own sense of self worth...and we can all use more good Karma.
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