Tsunami Fundraiser vs 9/11 Fundraiser

Published on January 21, 2005 By JillUser In Current Events

MSNBC.com had an article that reported that the telethon that NBC had for tsunami relief made $18 million where the 9/11 telethon raised $130 million. That is all it stated. It made no comparison of any kind other than the bottom line. That left me wondering if there was a point they hoped people would come to or if they were just laying out the numbers for pure information sake.

I watched the telethon and I will tell you why I didn't participate. In all honesty, I really didn't want those celebrities patting themselves on the backs for the money that was hard earned and given with true sacrifice by every day Americans. I have heard many things come out of celebrities' mouths lately that have shown me they have no link with reality anymore. Examples: Russell Simmons' wife said this of her clothing line "I will pay the $5000 for a pair of jeans, make them my own, then sell them to the average person for a couple of hundred dollars". What average person spends "a couple of hundred" on a pair of jeans?! Jay Leno on the telethon "Hope you are enjoying the show but nothing is for free. So give a thousand, three thousand...." A thousand or three?!! He said that so nonchalantly also. Leno is so rich that he could give away a million or three and his life wouldn't change even in the slightest way. What average American can give away $1k and not feel the pinch?

I feel horrible about what happened to the victims of the tsunami. I believe in giving to those in need and did through our school's fundraiser. I think America has been extremely giving in this case. I am not one that is going to put my own family in jeapordy to help the victims though. Our government gave big which means we gave big. I am holding on to my own money to make sure I can take care of my own part of the world. I have two immediate family members who just had surgeries and a friend who is dying of cancer in hospice care right now. That showed me that I need to be prepared for anything to happen at any time but to also enjoy the time I have.

Sorry Jay, I am using my $3k for a well earned, much anticipated family trip to Disney World. It might sound selfish but I feel confident that I am doing my part in charity toward fellow man while providing myself and my family with some of the joys I feel we deserve.

Comments

theknitter

on Jan 21, 2005

Well Said ...... to those celebs its charity cool .... but to real people in America, its a matter of generosity that seems to come very natural.

Dusk411

on Jan 21, 2005

I see it more as a public relations thing. By appearing on the telethon, the celebs will think, "Now the people watching at home will think I'm just like them." I keep reading "so-and-so donated this much." Hey, that's great. They have the means to. However, by publicizing it, it feels insincere and more as a way to create good publicity about themselves. I really don't care who donates or not. Good for them. But don't feel the need to advertise it. If they want to really help, donate anymously and don't have a photo op or facetime on a telethon.

Moderateman

on Jan 22, 2005

Good plan msuser, If the "stars" want to help so much they can write a check of there own like sandra bullock did, how many rich stars times one million? there you go more than enough to help.

ParaTed2k

on Jan 23, 2005

I rarely agree with Rosie O'Donald, but she did do a great job of exposing hollywood for what it is. When she was asked if she wanted to participate in the 9/11 celebrity showcase, she said she would, only if every celebrity involved donated $1 Million. The next few months on her show, she made a point of letting all her viewers know that not only did they refuse to give $1 million, they made excuses about why they weren't giving any money at all. Apparently their name was all they were willing to give.

Hospice and other orgs could use your donations every bit as much as the Tsunami victims. Whatever money have that you can donate should go to where you choose, not where the press, hollywood, or anyone else says you should!

Spend your money at Disney if you want, it's your money... enjoy!!!

Gideon MacLeish

on Jan 24, 2005

Jill,

Very good article. My contributions to the tsunami relief effort (besides the $350 million that I and many American taxpayers were mugged for) have been to a local lady who is giving 25% of every meal ticket at her restaurant to victims in Thailand. She's a local entrepreneur, and what she is giving is a definite sacrifice.

I will NOT give to any group that gives aid to India, because much of the aid is being denied to lower caste members in preference of higher caste members. If the aid is given, it should, in my opinion, be equitably distributed. If I contributed to the concert, I wouldn't have control over where it goes.

msladydeath

on Jan 28, 2005

Well said, I prefer to give my money to my Salvation Army and Homeless shelters, there are so many people in our own country that need help. I would rather the double tax they take out of my income go to persons in my own country, I don't work overtime so that the government can decide to give my money away, I will give my money to whom I see fit, but then again, I have issues with taxes.

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