Eclectic Memes

Why do so many people treat the act of giving to good causes, such as (in my opinion), the RedCross, MSF, Oxfam, CharityWater among many others, as something to be done in response to a disaster such as the Haitian earthquake?

Now, don’t get me wrong, it’s terrific that people do give and the Haitians need all the help they can get, but here’s my point. Why only give when things are desperate?

I have not given to the Haitian appeals. Why not? Simple, because I give regularly. All the time. Every month. All year round. I say this, not to excuse my lack of giving even more, nor to vilify those who do not give at all, nor to trumpet my own philanthropy (I give only amounts I know I can sustain) but to ask those who do give in extremis to consider giving all the time.

Giving regularly is a painless process once you start. Giving just ten pound a month to the RedCross is not much from most people’s salaries and once it starts leaving regularly it is barely noticeable (I know because this is what I do, and if ten pounds a month is a lot from your income then how about two pounds?) – most people in the UK pay ten pounds a month for their TV license and many also pay more than ten pounds a month for broadband, cable or satellite TV! Ten pounds a month to the RedCross means that every year you are providing them with £120 (plus reclaimed tax in countries that permit charities to reclaim tax on contributions). Think about that. Every year, whether there is a disaster or not, the RedCross will have £120 to put toward helping other and to set some aside (as they do) to fund disaster relief.

The point is that make a lump sum contribution of over £100 to a disaster fund such as the Haitian earthquake is something few would do, but setting aside ten pounds a month is significantly less painful and ultimately more productive.

If you prefer MSF’s work, or Oxfam’s work then set up a regular donation to them.

The great thing is that once you start making regular donations you will barely notice, but those who benefit will. What’s more, in times of crisis you can still add more by making additional one off contributions.

Right, I’m off to add what I can to the RedCross funds.