The staff at a local United Way office realized that it had never
received a donation from the town's most successful lawyer.
The person in charge of contributions called him to persuade
him to contribute. "Our research shows that out of a yearly
income of at least $500,000, you give not a penny to charity.
Wouldn't you like to give back to the community in some way?"
The lawyer mulled this over for a moment and replied, "First,
did your research also show that my mother is dying after a
long illness, and has medical bills that are several times her
annual income?"
Embarrassed, the United Way representative mumbled, "
Um... No."
"Or," the lawyer continued, "that my brother, a disabled
veteran, is blind and confined to a wheelchair?"
The stricken United Way representative began to stammer
out an apology but was interrupted when the lawyer added,
"Or that my sister's husband died in a traffic accident?" the
lawyer's voice rising in indignation, "Leaving her penniless
with three children?"
The humiliated United Way representative, completely
beaten, said simply, "I had no idea..."
On a roll, the lawyer cut him off once again, "So if I don't
give any money to them, why should I give any to you?"
received a donation from the town's most successful lawyer.
The person in charge of contributions called him to persuade
him to contribute. "Our research shows that out of a yearly
income of at least $500,000, you give not a penny to charity.
Wouldn't you like to give back to the community in some way?"
The lawyer mulled this over for a moment and replied, "First,
did your research also show that my mother is dying after a
long illness, and has medical bills that are several times her
annual income?"
Embarrassed, the United Way representative mumbled, "
Um... No."
"Or," the lawyer continued, "that my brother, a disabled
veteran, is blind and confined to a wheelchair?"
The stricken United Way representative began to stammer
out an apology but was interrupted when the lawyer added,
"Or that my sister's husband died in a traffic accident?" the
lawyer's voice rising in indignation, "Leaving her penniless
with three children?"
The humiliated United Way representative, completely
beaten, said simply, "I had no idea..."
On a roll, the lawyer cut him off once again, "So if I don't
give any money to them, why should I give any to you?"
