Telemarketers for Charities....

Thursday, March 5, 2009.....

I'm not sure why I still answer the phone when I don't recognize the number, but I do. In many cases, there is a pause and I know to hang up before the recorded message. However, it is the telemarketers for charities that kill me.

Many represent local charities, but caller ID tells me they are in another state or even a different country (getting some from Canada now). However, my favorite calls are from people that can not pronounce the name of the cause they are calling for.

I know most of these calls are useless. The majority of the money raised goes towards costs not associated with the research. Call me mean, but when I could give, I constantly said no to these callers.

Here's what I've given to - true local charities or people giving their time and energy to raise money for a cause. These individuals walk, run, bike or kayak to raise money for the good of others.

Over the years, I've raised money for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society by walking a marathon in Ireland. I had just separated from a 15 year relationship and figured I'd put my time to good use instead of wallowing 24/7.

Another year, I kayaked across LI Sound to raise monies for local charities. This is in addition to the small walks I've done over the years and boards I sat on planning fundraising events.

My involvement in raising money for charities spurred one sister and some friends to raise money by the same means or give their time to make these events run smoothly.

My other sister in Maryland runs, bikes and swims for various charities. I'm so proud she ran her first 1/2 marathon at age 58, her first triathlon the year she was turning 60 and heads up a breast cancer event where she lives.

If I could, I would give to anyone that put the effort in to raise the money by giving their time. I will not give to the person that can't even pronounce the charity's name --- it's just wrong.