Is your charity blind? It should be
Charity is meant to be blind, isn’t it?
Mandela Day has come and gone, but have the good deeds, too?
Every Mandela Day thousands of citizens and businesses across the country (and the world?) do their 67 minutes for charity.
In a country that has a high unemployment rate and massive inequality, many people would go hungry and unclothed without the intervention of benevolent people.
But how many are using July 18 as a publicity stunt?
I know there are people and organisations who dedicate vast amounts of time and money to charitable causes throughout the year.
One only has to look at the sterling work of Benoni’s Lions and Rotary clubs.
What about the fantastic work done by LifeLine Ekurhuleni, Kids Haven and iThemba Rape and Trauma Support Centre?
There are countless other local organisations that make a tangible difference in people’s lives – right here under our noses.
Let’s not forget all the community members who also do their bit to change the course of a person’s life.
Every bit of publicity for these non-profit organisations is essential.
The result of media coverage leads to prospective benefactors sitting up and taking note of the important work being conducted.
This often results in businesses throwing their support (and money, of course) behind these worthy causes, through the non-profit organisations.
Businesses, on the other hand, are a different kettle of fish.
While it is great covering these events or handovers for a newspaper and website (we would not exist as a local paper without this news), you cannot help but wonder whether they would be delving into their pockets if the cameras were not there.
In my experience, I have dealt with a few stories where the business owners have insisted on media coverage, to the point where they become very ratty if you cannot attend their event.
I once heard from a charity that a business was not particularly interested in helping them if there was no media presence.
Where is the charity in that?
Politicians and charity should not mix at all.
I appreciate the fact there there have been some local politicians who have extended a helping hand in need, in secrecy.
As we know, the practice of “buying” votes is all too common, then some politicians still insist on cameras needing to be present.
I think I’ll save that rant for another day.
One example of “true charity” has been taking place since an article in the City Times called for cat food donations to the Benoni-based non-profit organisation Cat Village.
The founder of the cat shelter, Irma Teller, contacted us and asked for assistance as her stockpile of cat food was running desperately low.
We ran a small article on page 3, which received a great response.
Teller said people from all corners called her to donate the much-needed food and money.
On top of that, the City Times asked people to drop off their donations at our office.
Within hours, cat food streamed into the office.
Before long, people had donated to the animals – secretly, without demands.
They did not leave their contact details, did not request that a photo be taken – nothing.
Their good deeds will never be known; instead, they will fill the tummies of 1 200 felines at Cat Village.
This is charity, isn’t it?
I think so.
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