Deron B. Kosloski

Let’s take trip back to the 1970’s when actress Sally Struthers, was seen countrywide in commercials, in third world countries, with emotional type music and words that would break your heart. The pictures of starving and dirty children portrayed as uneducated and without a chance in life unless you send what equated to 30 cents a day. You would get a picture and a letter from a child that you sponsored -- a noble cause, but did it really help? Christian Children’s Fund turned out to be a con, and ended up changing its name, to now the virtually silent Children’s Fund.

In the 1990’s you still see the faded star Sally Struthers doing the same work, in the same way, asking for 65 cents a day, for Save the Children. Did that one work? Well they do show supposedly where the money goes but is that the truth as well? Who knows? Some have posited that not many children are being helped by these programs, because all we are paying for is the advertising and the ability to feel good about ourselves, like Sally wanted everyone to perceive that she was a humanitarian.

Now we are being bombarded by commercials with Sarah McLaughlin to help Abused Animals… Really! I would have more respect for this if it was at least for the children. No, I am definitely not saying it is ok to hurt your pet; it is kind of demented if you do, but come on, is all the drama really needed? I am sure when someone is in need of a pet they will go to their local Humane Society, and just get one. Done! Pet Saved! Go Saver of Pets!

Honestly it makes me want to hurl when I see these commercials because the first thing that runs through my mind is; another scam to pay for an over rated star who needs another cause to make themselves feel important, or in this case to promote a song. The kicker of this one is it wasn’t even for an international cause; it was for the British Columbia SPCA, advertised in the USA. So if you fell for it your money didn’t even go for American animals.

These things may have started out as causes that had meaning, but so far the only ones being helped in my opinion are the pocket books of the people that run these organizations at the expense of the donors, and at the expense of the people and animals supposedly being helped. Because the marketers of these organizations know and understand that if you evoke the right emotions, people will give.

We as consumers need to hold these people accountable, make them show us proof of children being helped, show us proof of animals being helped, demand to know the truth about where does your money will really go, be specific on what you want your money to go for, and if they stammer or beat around the bush, please by all means choose an organization that has integrity, and the real goal is to help, the ones that need the help, and actually do it.

What charity organizations do you believe in?

Graphic Credit:
Animationfactory.com