Be Charitable; Don’t Punish Agency

My friend is generous. A giver. The type of guy whose compassion and sense of justice exceed his ability to donate money and volunteer his time to worthy causes.

So when I asked him if he participated in the United Way campaign at work, I was shocked by his response.

“Are you kidding? he said. “I’d never give money to an organization that steals it.”

This from a guy who keeps up with the news. A reasonable and intelligent man. If he feels that way, who knows how many other people out there have closed their minds and wallets to one of the nation’s most valuable charitable institutions.

Clearly, the scandal that stunned the country hasn’t faded from many memories.

Three years after William Aramony, the former president of United Way of America, was charged for fraudulently diverting $1.2 million of the charity’s money to bankroll a luxurious lifestyle and an affair with a 17-year-old girlfriend, the damage he caused persists.

Never mind that Aramony was convicted of his crimes in April and sentenced to seven years in prison. Forget that most people aren’t aware that United Way agencies operate independently of the national office and that the United Way of Santa Clara County, for example, sends only one-half of a percent of the money it collects to the national coffers.

What’s really troubling is the perception among some that giving to the United Way is tossing money into the wind.

Nothing could be further from the truth.

Here in Santa Clara County, 102 agencies receive money from the United Way. The list includes the American Red Cross, Big Brothers/ Big Sisters, the Boys and Girls Clubs, the Council on Aging, the United Cerebral Palsy Association.

Seniors are receiving meals and other services with United Way dollars. Homeless people are being sheltered. The sick are being attended. Children are being educated and loved.

Thousands of miracles take place every day because of the money contributed to the United Way.

If I sound like a commercial just before halftime on a televised football game, that’s OK. I’m not the least bit ashamed of promoting an organization that helps millions of people.

Yet, despite my pitch, I know that many of you will remain unconvinced about the integrity and accountability of the United Way. But don’t take my word for it, call your local United Way organization. Here in Santa Clara County, United Way leaders invite anyone who wants to review the agencies records to do so.

You can even volunteer to be on the committee that decides which organizations in our community get money.

If that’s not enough, go and visit one or more of the programs or agencies that get United Way dollars. See contributions at work. Ask the people who are being helped what the United Way means to them.

I understand the reluctance of my friend. I, too, stopped giving to United Way in 1992 when the Aramony scandal broke. It took more than a year before I donated again.

The change of heart came when I concluded that Aramony deserves to be punished, not the United Way or the millions of people it serves.

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