Donor fatigue

I suppose I should add the disclaimer that if I really felt like forking over my hard earned meager wages to a charity, I donate because I want to, not because someone solicited me for it. After Katrina, I donated mostly to animal rescue organizations that I read about in the press.

Then Friday when I went to pickup my pay stub, I had a form for the United Way for payroll deduction donation plan. I had to sign that I didn't want to contribute and hand it back (which made me feel like a weasel). However, I could setup payroll deduction for contributing to our local NPR station (their membership drive is this week).

There is another United Way fundraiser over lunchtime. I know I really shouldn't, but I'm going to buy a carmel apple that they're going to sell and call it lunch. At least I get some food and give a little too.

So after hearing pleas for donations for Katrina, Rita, the eastern earthquake, local public radio, United Way, I am about at my wits end. Then I get a listserv email for fundraiser for the Steele Memorial Children's Research group to attend a Haloween fundraiser. A couple minutes after that, my boss reminds me that the JDRF diabetes walk is next weekend.

*sreams loudly into the empty lab*

I really would like to give more. If you saw my post yesterday, I don't have the resources to donate to every worthwhile cause.