United Way boycott would hurt, not help
In 2005, United Way of Greater Greensboro will continue to increase its effectiveness by focusing on "Growing Successful Kids," "Helping People Help Themselves" and "Caring for Everyone's Health."
Through United Way, you help friends, neighbors, co-workers and strangers with their "bumps in the road." Yes, when the economy faltered, we helped create Quick Jobs.
You help one in three people; almost everyone eventually benefits from your generosity.
I have great empathy for the person who recently wrote a letter about tobacco industry jobs possibly being threatened by government regulatory change. However, boycotting the campaign will not send a message to our legislators because United Way is not the government. It simply hurts people who need our community's help, and I don't believe that was the person's intent.
Let me point out that Lorillard Tobacco Co. and its thousands of employees have been our largest contributor for six consecutive years, and we cherish their goodwill. Our citizens have a tradition of rallying together through United Way regardless of their political or personal differences, and I thank all our donors for their heartfelt love for Greensboro.
Neil M. Belenky
Greensboro
The writer is president, United Way of Greater Greensboro.
Comments (11)
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What's your salary, Neil?
Posted on August 31, 2005 9:22 AM
Excellent question.
Posted on August 31, 2005 9:30 AM
I quit letting UW skim the cream of my donations about 10 years ago. That was when the head of it was using my money to pay for an apartment for his mistress. He was also flying on private airplanes and using limos to get about. I figured they had enough money to play with and didn't need any more from me.
I give directly to a particular charity now and they get all of the money.
And by the way, don't fall for the thing about designating your donation for a particular charity that UW promotes. That is a scam also. They decide how much each place that they send money will get, in advance. If you say you want your money to go to the Boy Scouts then they just reduce the standard distribution by that amount. The charity gets the same amount of money, not extra money because you asked for it.
Posted on August 31, 2005 10:14 AM
Mac,
Thanks for that information. That, I did not know. I have been designating my money to go to Prison Ministry because there were some United Way charities that I just could not support. Now that I read this, UW can forget any more contributions. I think the idea of giving directly to the charities is a wonderful idea. Then Neil can do something more useful with his time.
Posted on August 31, 2005 2:00 PM
Two words: Salvation Army.
Posted on August 31, 2005 2:50 PM
Well Yard dog we agree on at least this one subject - The Salvation Army. They help the people who need help the most. Way to go Yard Dog.
Posted on August 31, 2005 4:30 PM
Now I'm worried. Not even running a fever. Wanna sing Kumbahyu?
Posted on August 31, 2005 6:01 PM
THIS IS A QUESTION?????
Has anyone watching the storm seen the Red Cross people doing anything except asking for money???
I see plenty of Salvation Army trucks,and in my area schools and churches are loading food and water to be send to this people. My opinion the SA gives you more bang for the $.
Posted on September 1, 2005 7:24 AM
Yard Dog I'm a southern rock man so how bout some "Free Bird" that suits me better
Posted on September 1, 2005 1:29 PM
No answer yet on that salary question. I guess we are to assume he doesn't make one? Yeah, right.
Posted on September 1, 2005 5:03 PM
Just read where the United Way president makes in the half million dollar range per year. And that's just salary. And you need money from me?
Posted on September 1, 2005 5:06 PM