In a time of financial shortfalls, where does one prioritize their spending? How does one determine where to donate their time, efforts, and finances? A few years ago, I asked a woman deeply involved in the efforts of the Non-Profit world how people were convinced to contribute. While she does the right thing for the right reason, she recognized and admitted that many involved in "charity" are there for nefarious reasons.
She pointed to the most effective calls for money resting on short deadlines and heart-wrenching stories. It was several years ago that a tele-evangelist raised millions after "God told him" that he'd die if his flock didn't donate X number of millions to his church. It was a tumultuous time for the mega-church evangelists as the big names were caught up in allegations associated with their individual messages of hell damning sins. Nevertheless, he raised millions to save himself from being "called home."
At the end of this election cycle, Americans are continually asked to give as much as they can to multi-million dollar campaigns of well-off politicians seeking office. Charities warn that without your money, they'll be forced to shutter their doors. And Non-Profits are often spending 25% of their budgets to convince you to give them more. I asked Ms Marti how so many can read the stories of Jon White and yet so few find a reason to give, even as I noted her donation pushed him to 27% of his goals for the year.
The biggest form of advertising Semper Fi has are those like Jon, Veteran Athletes and Injured Athletes, that choose to ask friends and family to pledge donations based on their adventures in sports. It's no hard luck story. These athletes are little known but more remarkable than the most famous. Many run on a prosthetic leg, further and faster than the average "able-bodied" American will ever go. They're not begging you for money for their bank accounts. They're asking you to help their Brothers who have not yet strapped on a replacement leg and learned to walk again.
They're not asking you to contribute to a political campaign to give them a six-figure income.
The Non-Profit world is very competitive and often cut-throat, even during good economic times, but the Injured Marine Semper Fi Fund refuses to bow to the tried and true means of raising donations. It relies on the same Honor and Fidelity from which its name was born.
In my personal life, I have found the value of "you shall reap what you sow." In those times of greatest financial difficulty, an opportunity to give money to others has often presented itself. With a near empty wallet, I gave what I could, only to receive a windfall unexpectantly. Most religions recognize the principle in some form as do many philosophies. I can't explain the mechanics, but have seen the results too many times to not believe in its effects.
In my professional life, I have seen the reality that "it is more blessed to give than receive." I have come to an understanding of how true this tenet is and why, though that is a whole different article.
Are you a bad person for not donating a dollar or a grand to the effort? No, not at all. Each person must weigh their priorities and how to maximize the efficiency of their hard work. I would hope that you would at least consider his efforts in support of an effective and efficient Non-Profit doing things the honorable way.
Can anyone guarantee you a financial or emotional reward for giving to this effort, or any other? Not a chance. I can point to the personal experiences of the effects of its principals, but even in that I cannot prove the links, only the chonological relationships.
But what of those that have little money to give? I agree with Jesus' lesson on this. He who gives every dime he has, all ten, has given more than he who gives only a grand of his millions. While Ms Marti has demonstrated her commitment to this effort and while Our Site has put our money where our fingers are, financial donations are not the only means of Supporting the efforts to help Injured Warriors and their Families.
Publicizing Jon's Story, and affording others the opportunity to give can be as effective, if not moreso, than your own donations. In the upper left sidebar you'll find a Google search engine. Type in "Jon White" and you'll find enough information to right about him in your own words. Type in "Semper Fi" and you'll find all the information you need to know that this Non-Profit is worthy of your support.
It should say something that this Army Veteran has found the story and the effort sufficiently compelling to support a Marine in his efforts, but it seems that my own words are less compelling than is his story to me. Neither Jon, nor Ms Marti, nor I can succeed in this effort alone. Each member of the team that joins the effort is important to the success, no matter how small their donation or audience.
Of course, there is no penalty for reading his story and doing nothing to support his effort. I expect many have received a reward for having learned about a Marine that has overcome great adversity so he could continue to defend his Nation and run hundreds of miles for his fellow Warriors. Surely, many have been inspired to overcome smaller challenges because of his example. So there is no downside to finding out more, even if you don't find a desire to donate or even write about him.
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