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November 21, 2005
Worthy Causes
I was recently riding the Metro when I saw a poster for the "Help the Homeless Wakathon". Now normally I don't pay much attention to subway ads regardless of their content. But this caught my eye for an obvious reason - the Nats logo was on the bottom in the list of sponsors. Except there as some text next to it. I decided to investigate (from my seat - I didn't need to get up to read this thereby proving I can continue only wearing my glasses when I'm driving or want to look intellectual for "da ladies"). Anyhow, the small text said "Marlon Byrd of the Washington Nationals". Marlon Byrd? As in part time major-leaguer, part time minor-leaguer Marlon Byrd? It turns out that Marlon is the honorary chair of DC's Help the Homeless chapter. He did this to bring some attention to the cause, but did it with little fan-fare - no apparent cameras, other than the PSA he shot. And his name was in small letters on a subway ad. It seems to me like Mr. Byrd did this out of the true kindness of his heart - something that seems exceedingly rare these days, especially amongst professional athletes. As far as I know, Marlon didn't even bank 7 digits last year - and yet he's the premiere sponsor of a major DC charity? That's refreshing, and classy.
Speaking of worthy causes, I decided in the spirit of the holiday season, I would make some charitable donations. Plus I just paid off my credit card, and I thought the best way to reward myself for the hard work and fiscal discipline is to give some of my money to those who truly deserve it. Previously, Democratic Campaigns & the ACLU have been the recipients of choice. But this year I felt the need to really make a global difference. My list this year?
The Southern Poverty Law Center
These guys fight hate. Plain and simple - they keep extremeists and hatred in check. It was a toss up between them and the ADL - but I happened on to the SPLC's website this morning in my blog surfing, and it reminded me that I've been meaning to donate money to them.
The Jewish Coalition for Disaster Relief and SaveDarfur.org
Speciifcally, I gave money to their Sudan/Darfur fund. In Judaism, we have a saying - Never Again. Never Again does not just apply to Jews - never again shall anyone commit Genocide against anyone. At least 50,000 people have been murdered in the Darfur. This isn't a situation where warring tribes are killing each other - one tribe is massacreing the others. While we've been wasting our time in Iraq, there's been a real humanitarian disaster that requires our attention and intervention, and yet the world has been silent. I urge you to make a donation to any of these causes, and to write your legislators and press them to please push for some global intervention - As free people with an awareness of history and the knowledge of the crimes that we are capable of commiting against one another, it is our duty.
Posted by MikeSager at November 21, 2005 9:14 PM
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