I print the correspondence below not so much to ask you to give, nor to let you know that I made a donation, but to initiate a discussion on what motivates you to make a donation of money? What about of time? They have different practical calculations, depending on whether time or money is of more relative importance or shortage (real or apparent) at the time of the giving? Does it make you more likely to give if you have a personal connection to the cause? Does getting personal satisfaction from giving make it somehow not a fully spiritual act? [I’ll try and blog on the last in future posts].
Dear Friends,
On Friday, Sept. 17, 2010 I thought I sent 30 targeted e-mails from my AIDSWALK webpage to former and potential donors to this annual fundraising event. Unfortunately, I did something wrong and the messages were never sent. With time very short, I’m sending this “broadcast” message to the listserve in the hope that some of you who have not already sent a donation from my initial appeal will do so now. For those of you who have already donated now is the time to delete this message.
IF YOU WANT TO MAKE A DONATION DIRECTLY TO MY AIDSWALK WEBPAGE, PLEASE OPEN THE ATTACHED APPEAL LETTER AND FIND “FOLLOW THIS LINK” WHICH WILL TAKE YOU DIRECTLY TO THE SITE SO YOU CAN MAKE A DONATION.
This year’s walk is benefiting about 15 different organizations that assist people with HIV/AIDS, in addition to Whitman-Walker Clinic.
Thanks for all the support you’ve given in the past,
Joe Izzo
Help us fight the epidemic! REGISTER for AIDS Walk TODAY! We look forward to seeing you on October 2nd! www.aidswalkwashington.org
Joseph
In response to this plea, I clicked on the link to make a donation to the AIDs Walk. Joe graciously sent me a thank you note, and I responded as follows:
E to Joe
Thank you Joe. I have been giving to WWC since the late 1980s. When I was in my 20s and 30s I had close friends die of AIDs or go through the tribulations of the early drug trials for HIV. I like that I can now give in a more personal way.
Peace and light,
Elizabeth