American

American's generosity must continue long-term

Sept 29, 2001

When the hijacked planes smashed into the World Trade Center and the Pentagon, when we saw the crumbling structures, the flames, the surreal ashen streets, our hearts went out to the injured victims and the families of those who died. And we wanted to help.

Since then, a fund-raising effort the likes of which has never been seen before has taken place across America. Everyone from children at lemonade stands to local firefighters to Hollywood celebrities has worked to raise money for the families of the 7,000 or so persons who perished in the terrorist attacks on our East Coast.

This is a wonderful effort. Not only does it satisfy our need to do something after this incomprehensible tragedy, not only does it comfort and aid the victims’ families, it demonstrates our ability to unite for a common cause and create good out of evil.

But, in our zeal to help counter the effects of the horrific events of Sept. 11, we can’t forget that the need for charity exists year-round — in our own country and throughout the world.

There are reports already that some non-profit organizations are scaling back their own drives because they fear that Americans will suffer "charity overload" after helping the victims in New York City.

On Colorado’s Front Range, 25 leaders of business and non-profit agencies met last week in Colorado Springs to talk about how to handle fund-raising in the coming weeks. Many have canceled or scaled-down drives because of recent events. For instance, the Humane Society of the Pikes Peak Region canceled an annual canine 5K run after only one-tenth as many persons as usual registered, the Colorado Springs Gazette reported.

And many foundations and companies that provide grants to area charities have made large gifts to the East Coast relief efforts, which means less money may be available locally, according to the Gazette. The El Pomar Foundation, which is based in Colorado Springs, is giving $500,000 to families of firefighters in New York and to a blood bank in Denver that sent blood to New York. One of the foundation’s senior vice presidents admitted that will mean half a million dollars less for Colorado’s other non-profits this year, according to the Gazette.

While the fund-raising efforts and blood drives to aid people on the East Coast have been inspiring, we also have to remember the needy in other places.

It is no less important and no less honorable to contribute money for sheltering the homeless, doing cancer research or relieving world hunger than it is to aid the families of the fallen in New York. There are battered women to be helped, impoverished children to be clothed and educated, and political prisoners to be freed every day around the world. Closer to home, we have a plethora of worthy causes that need support, everything from churches to pet shelters to programs that provide special equipment for the handicapped.

With the economy teetering on the edge of a recession, most of us are trying to be careful with our money. But let’s not forget to support the charities that we’ve supported in the past — and if we don’t have cash to spare, we can always donate blood or simply our own time.

Hats off to all of those who gave so generously to those directly affected by the Sept. 11 disaster. But equally deserving of our gratitude are those who continue to donate to charities now left in the dark. We need them, too.