|
As we wrestle with the horrendous
events of September 11th, I join the thousands of other writers,
editors, columnists, talk-show participants, and everyday
Americans asking you to help the victims. Your help, whether
in the form of a donation to one of the many relief funds,
or by some other means, is a step towards recovery—for them
and for you.
The world knows how generous
we can be. We have shown it countless times in the aftermath
of natural disasters around the globe. We have shown it to
ourselves, to our neighbors, to other Americans each time
a disaster or calamity has struck. As Executive Director of
an HIV service organization, I see it on a daily basis. I
see it in the donation of money. I see it in the donation
of time. I see it in the letters of support we receive.
In the aftermath of September
11th, there is honest and sincere confusion as to the proper,
respectful course of action other charities and causes should
take. Should fundraising be halted out of respect for the
victims and for the relief funds set up to assist them? Should
we stop advocating for causes which just weeks ago seemed
so important? Should we “tone-down” requests for public support?
It seems to me that these
discussions come in part from a viewpoint that assumes there
is a fixed amount of resources, that the caring and giving
of Americans is limited and finite; that there is only so
many hours to volunteer, only so much money to give. While
in an absolute sense this is true, I believe that such limits
are very large and that we as a nation, and many of us as
individuals, are not at these limits. We Americans are often
at our best when the need is the greatest. Let us, a people
brought together by tragedy, rise to this challenge.
Before September 11th there
were thousands of charities helping millions of Americans
deal with illness, tragedy, and injustice. Before September
11th, there were organizations helping women to cope with
breast cancer; helping children, women, and men live with
diabetes; helping survivors of domestic violence; helping
the homeless; and yes, helping people living with HIV and
AIDS. These causes still need your assistance. They need the
many hours of volunteer time crucial for delivery of services.
They need your continued financial support.
The memory of the thousands
killed on September 11th needs to be honored. Memorial funds
can do this. But so too can your support of your favorite
causes. I suspect that among those who died, there was at
least one person who supported the same causes you do. Your
continued help can be a form of honoring their lives and efforts.
And it can help you deal with this enormous tragedy.
Honor their memory while
helping others. Assist the survivors, while continuing to
help the causes you supported before. Support government funding
of relief efforts while also reminding government of its other
funding obligations. Let us continue to be the generous nation
that sets the standard for others to follow. Let us support
the victims of this horrific event while not forgetting those
we supported before.
Dennis Hartke
Executive Director
Thoughts, comments, reactions?
Write me at tpaned@aol.com
|
