'tis the season for giving. And with such a tough year for so many people the giving is even more important than usual. I fully support being generous and helping where possible. However, I do take exception to the latest campaign from Princess Margaret Hospital.
I received this tote bag in the mail along with a letter and request for a donation. I wish I'd kept the letter so I could quote directly, but we're expedient recyclers in our house. The gist was that Princess Margaret has sent me this "gift" and hopes I'll make a donation. And of course the letter had the usual heartfelt stories from patients who have been helped by the hospital.
My options:
- Make a donation and use the bag feeling good about helping out. With unlimited funds this is a no-brainer but this would divert money away from other places where I contribute (also worthy causes)
- Don't make a donation and use the bag anyway. Pretty sure I'd feel guilty every time I loaded it with groceries.
- Throw the bag out. A perfectly good bag? In the garbage? Um, no.
So here is what will probably happen. I'll throw the bag on the shelf where it will join the others and I'll end up subconsciously avoiding it.
This has nothing to do with Princess Margaret not needing or deserving the funds. It does, but so does every other hospital and charity and they're all good causes. I'd prefer they save their "gifts" for people who donate and not try to guilt me into a donation.
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