The World of Grandpa Don

Charitable Giving and Other Thoughts of Importance

This is a multi part story of some events and my evolving thoughts on charitable giving. It recounts a correction, re-evaluation and love.

 The beginning ... Entertainment books and church raffles.

We had a request from the parish council for members of all the ministry boards to volunteer in the selling of "Entertainment books" as a fund raiser. I sent on email to Mike Kiley that went something like this:

I am not a believer in buying (or selling) any kind of product as a fund raiser. Too much of the purchase price goes to others and too little to the charity. If I am to donate to the parish, I will donate to the parish knowing that all of my donation is going to the parish. So, I would like to respectfully decline to participate in selling entertainment books. I hope this does not cause difficulty for others. 

I do know that some people need to be duped into making charitable donations by way of raffles, bingos, and buying "entertainment coupon books". Unfortunately, this kind of fund raiser works because it uses the greed of the targets who think they may win more than they spend, or in this case, benefit from more in discounted meals than they spent for the books. I would prefer to see more effort put into motivating people to real charitable giving. It would be better for their soul. You may share my thoughts on the subject with anyone you wish. Enough preaching!

p.s. I do buy parish raffle tickets but I do it on the assumption that I will not win and the full amount goes to the parish. I know this not correct because some of my donation goes to the winners but, well,...  it's my concession to reality. I always hope that the winner will choose to donate the winnings back to the parish. 

I get a surprise ...

After sending the above email, I continued to update the web site with the parish bulletin for this Sunday. When I came to the Teen Page I found the list of winners for the TNT Boosters raffle. I had to stop and send the following:

Hay Mike!
I WON! ... I WON! .... I WON!
I won the TNT Raffle.
And yes, as in the past, my winnings WILL go right back to them. (Got to put my money where my mouth is!)

Isn't it great the way God keeps us honest? Oh yes, I know the winners had been selected and the bulletin was already at the printer even before the Wednesday meeting so God didn't make me a winner after I wrote my tirade. But that is the great thing about God. He  isn't constrained by the time limitations of us humans. He knows what to do and when it needs to be done.

My daughter responds:

I received this email from my daughter: , sent after she read the above from the web site.

Just to comment on your raffle winnings....it is great to give it back to the church as you are doing...but, there are many people who cannot give to all of the charities that they would like because of monetary restraints. They do, however, at times donate to a raffle with the intent of donating (as much as they can afford) to the good of the parish (or whatever cause). I think, in particular, our church raffle, which was for a grand prize of $50,000 is quite an incentive for MANY people to contribute to the church in an amount that is probably more than they would consider giving without the hope of a PRIZE. Not to say that they are people that do not donate to a good cause when they can, buy many more people helped to raise the kind of money the church can use even though prize money is distributed. The people who organize the raffle know that they are making a substantial return for the good of the church even after prize money is distributed. Our neighbor, city workers, (with three children all in the parish school) won the grand prize. I think this is wonderful and would not wish her to give it all to the parish because I am sure her family can use it. The church still received a substantial amount and a family will have life a little easier for a while. I think this is the main point of the raffle in the beginning...the church benefits and so do the wonderful people able to participate in the donation.

A Re-evaluation and Its Reward

Anne Marie's comments prompted me to re-evaluate my original position. She was right. I was wrong. She gave me a valid reason for these charitable raffles, or at least reminded me of what I already knew but chose to ignore. 

My winnings for the TNT raffle was $25.00 + a $6.50 seller's portion. I, in particular, am well able to give $31.50 back to them. I was not considering that large of a sum ($50,000) and I was not thinking of the situation which she described, and, ... it just may be that I wasn't thinking. When I spoke to her on Sunday, she informed me that after the prize money was distributed, their parish had a net gain of $75,000. Not too shabby! 

There was another plus to the raffle, one that neither of us considered. Very often we would like to give or to give a larger sum but we can not do so because of other needs in our lives. However, we can donate our time and talents in organizing the raffle and selling tickets. We are given an opportunity to work for the church and contribute in that way. That unselfish act may be a lot more meaningful than  me parting with $31.50.

Although Anne Marie did not mention it, the principle caries through to the selling of entertainment books or other products for charity. It is a way to invite people to be charitable and at the same time derive a benefit while providing an opportunity for others to donate their time to help their parish. 

So, will I sell entertainment books? No. Why not? (1) Because I do not use them. For the most part I would have to go to an establishment that I would not normally patronize. (That is, of course, the goal of the business and is, for them, a valid reason to participate.) So, in my case, I would rather donate directly to the church. But why don't I volunteer to sell them? (2) I just don't want to! Lofty ideals do not apply here and I was deceiving myself and wrong to try to deceive others. My motivation is totally selfish and self-serving. I don't like to sell things!

As I left the Church on that Sunday, I turned around and went back in to the table in the narthex which was stacked high with Krispy Kreme donuts being sold for $5.00 a dozen as a fund raiser for our Youth Group. Several sets of false ideals went out the window and I bought a box. I came home, ate three of them. (600 calories and 66g of carbohydrates) The church gained some funds, the seller will get his reward in heaven and I really enjoyed, not only the wonderful taste, but the satisfaction of benefiting the church. I also liked the fact I had a change of heart.

Conclusion and Greater Reward

I am so grateful that I have children like Anne Marie. Children who are quite willing to set me straight when needed. Anne was the one who always gave a little (sometimes a lot) of correction and guidance when needed. You may get the idea that we communicate mostly via this web site and by email. Not so! Anne Marie has taken on the roll of watching over me and it is a rare day that she doesn't find some time in her busy day to call me. She keeps me up to date on her family happenings (and something is always happening) and making sure that I am OK.  Dan or Tom will give a little correction too if I get off base. My point is that I know it is done with love and it is appreciated. I didn't get to this point in life alone and I won't make it the rest of the way without help.

When things like this happen it reminds me that when the time comes, my kids will be there to take my car keys away from me and do it out of love.

Thanks kids, ... and thank you God.

Don Plefka
9/1/02