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Voluntary

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Charity, by definition, is a generous action to aid the less fortunate. Beyond the definition, there is no longer a debate about charity being a compelled act. If the desire to help out those less opportune than oneself isn't sincere, the true meaning of charity is no longer met.

Keeping this in mind, there are many people in life who will give to charity or perform charitable acts for all the wrong reasons. Maybe they are under pressure to convene a certain "quota" within their organization or are seeking the benefits of tax deductions. Both may provide the needy with some relief, but it can be compared to one being married to a rich spouse for their money. Sure, the ability to be provided for is there, but the true feelings that drive the union is null.

I have always found giving to charity or performing charitable acts with sincerity not only creates self-satisfaction and a sense of feeling useful in life, but the amount of time or funds given increases. If a person is convince of the cause they are supporting, they will not only give, but attempt to persuade others to give to it as well. In the end, a chain of goodwill is developed and those truly in need benefit far more from those wanting to give from the heart instead of from the beneficial legal standpoint.

Using one's position within a company or using one's religious beliefs to prey upon for donating to charity, while being unmoral in my opinion, should not be permitted by law. Every time I hear "A good Christian would give to this cause" or "The department wants to be the top donator for this charity" I get ill. My personal opinion is that charity is a personal decision much like voting. Each person must follow their own conscious and not be influenced by others to do something they really have no internal desire to do.

In a recent issue of Fundraising Success magazine, there was a list of nine reasons why people give to charity. They were hope, association, friends, sadness, making a difference, love, dreams, faith and guilt. This list reflects fairly accurately the fine line between truly wanting to participate in charity and being forced into it. A reflection on how society has lost vision of the true meaning of giving.

Charitable organizations are also somewhat at fault here. How many times have you heard the line "For a mere dollar a day you can save the life of someone?" Why not outline the differences the charity is making in the lives of the people being saved and convince the person through genuine

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