TBO.com - TBO is Tampa Bay Online

It's The Season Of Giving; Let's Make it Count

ADVERTISEMENT

The Tampa Tribune

Published: December 24, 2008

Just the other day my mother was robbed in a grocery store parking lot.

She would say the word "robbed" is an exaggeration; but I'd argue the distinction is academic. Let me explain.

As my 77-year-old mother (I hesitate to use the word "elderly") was opening her car she was approached by a fairly well-dressed man.

"Could you help me?" he asked. "I'm trying to get my car repaired to get back to Tampa. I'm twenty-dollars short."

"You didn't give him any money, did you?" I asked when she told me about it later.

"I was scared," she said. "There didn't seem to be any other option; I just wanted him to go away."

Here's why I call this a robbery:

•The man stepped inside her personal space and did not back off.

•He could have approached any number of people, but he deliberately chose a 77-year-old lady.

•She felt coerced and believed she had no other option.

•His story was obviously fabricated.

•He used intimidation to get the money.

We are currently experiencing a time of extreme economic uncertainty.

Need is widespread, jobs are being lost, people can't afford even the basics, and a lot of families are hurting financially. Consequently, my mother's experience will likely be repeated many times in and around our community.

Nobody wants to turn away if they're in a position to help, especially around Christmas. Yet, at the same time, there are less "helping dollars" available than ever before.

This is why I'm using this space to encourage those of us who can to give generously. But it's also critically important that we give carefully, and make sure we don't let the unscrupulous take resources away from those who truly need our help.

So, give through your church, give to ECHO, Metropolitan Ministries, the Salvation Army and other agencies you know and trust. Very few of us have the ability to evaluate need in a parking lot; but many of us have resources we can share via the agencies that do.

Then - and this is the punch line - carry some cards or a brochure with contact information for local charities, especially those you support. Don't give cash, ever, but instead refer people who ask for money to the helping organizations you are familiar with, those with the skills and the resources to use monies appropriately.

My mother is a wonderful, openhearted lady. Her lifelong lessons helped me become the kind of person who practices generosity with joy.

These are not easy times, but there are solutions - especially if we all pull together.

Merry Christmas.

Derek Maul can be reached at derekmaul@gmail.com.

Loading Comments...

Email Print

ADVERTISEMENT