The United Way realized that it had never received a donation from
the city's most successful lawyer.
So a United Way representative visited this lawyer in his lavish office.
The representative opened the meeting by saying,
"Our research shows that even though your annual income
is over two million dollars, you don't give a penny to charity.
Wouldn't you like to give something back to your community
through the United Way?"
The lawyer thinks for a minute and says,
"First, did your research also show you that my mother is dying
after a long, painful illness and she has huge medical bills
that are far beyond her ability to pay?"
Embarrassed, the United Way representative mumbles,
"Uh... no, I didn't know that."
Next the lawyer says
"Secondly, my brother, a disabled veteran, is blind and confined
to a wheelchair and is unable to support his wife and six children."
The stricken United Way representative begins to stammer an
apology,
but is cut off again.
"Thirdly, did your research also show you that my sister's
husband died in a dreadful car accident, leaving her penniless
with a mortgage and three children, one of whom is disabled
and another has learning disabilities requiring an array of
private tutors?"
The humiliated United Way rep, completely beaten, says,
"I'm sorry, I had no idea."
And the lawyer says,
"If I didn't give money to them,
what makes you think I would give it to you?
Received from Bill Stern, September 9, 2005.