Charity begins at home
A wonderful story this week about the hugely successful campaign to raise $55,000 for lifesaving neurosurgery for 4 year old Evandale resident Sophie Hart.The Examiner reports today the exciting news that Sophie's surgery has been successful.
It also reports that the appeal raised $130,000. Coming as it did a few days before Christmas, this makes the result even more remarkable.
But does it also say something else about what it takes to engage and spark the generosity of the community?
Sophie's need was of course urgent and life threatening. My wife and I heard the story of this beautiful and innocent 4 year old and contributed immediately. Apparently, so did a lot of other people.
However charities have found it harder this Christmas to come by funds.
Obviously Sophie's appeal shows that money was available in the community for discretionary giving, but clearly none of the mainstream charities who work overtime in supporting people through the Christmas period managed to inspire people to give to anything like this extent.
Is that because people view their many clients as less deserving than a sick child or is it simply that they cannot identify with their needs? Is it a case that many people blame those who need to rely on charities for the circumstances they find themselves in? If so, is that really fair?
Interesting........................
posted by Alan Melton @ 4:37 pm
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