When he didn't have anyone to do his shopping for him, my Dad sometimes gave family members money as birthday and Christmas presents. For Dad, giving money was the easy way out. You don't have to take the trouble to find out what people really want or what they are really like. And you don't risk making a mistake by getting them the wrong thing. That might force you to admit to yourself that you didn't know them very well to begin with.
My dear Aunt Connie gave me a toy top when I was in highschool. She had seen me play with her children's top while killing time at her house one day and was sure I wanted my own. Dead wrong, of course. Another time, she was sure she could pick out a necktie I would like. This, from a woman who bought her own clothes at Goodwill. But at least she took a the risk.
That's an issue giving money for disaster relief. It's relatively easy to raise money victims of Katrina. Are we sure that isn't taking the easy way out? Katrina exposed the unfortunate fact that there are desperately poor people in the United States. How about taking the time to figure out why and lending personal time to oppose conditions that create poverty instead? Start by reading a couple of books out of your library: Growing Up Empty: The Hunger Epidemic in America by Loretta Schwartz-Nobel and The Working Poor, Invisible in America, by David L. Shipler.
I'm not sure all the tsunami relief money has been distributed as yet. That's because finding a way to give out the funds which meets everyone's approval isn't easy. And of course, those who distributed the 9/11 aide learned the same lesson. You might also want to check out Charity Navigator as to giving scams.
So yes, please respond to Katrina generously. But respond by learning about the people to whom you are giving and their problems beyond this disaster.
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