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Mon 6 Mar, 2006 11:00 am
I frequently make donations to charities named in the obituaries of friends, but these are often organizations to which I would not normally give. sometimes it's because I've never heard of this or that organization which was dear to a friend's heart, other times it's because I have my own preferences for charitable gifts.
The problem really is twofold: First, should I feel that if I make a donation it MUST be to the organization mentioned; and second, does etiquette permit that I add a note asking not to be approached for further donations? It is a real nuisance to keep getting repeated requests from charities which I have no plans to support. (It is also a great waste of time and trees.)
Such donations are meant by the families to be "in lieu of flowers." Many would rather the money be spent for a cause that was important to the deceased than to be spent on flowers that die in a few days or house plants that no one wants to care for.
I think it's important to honor their wishes re: which charity. I also think it's perfectly acceptable to include a note saying this is a one-time memorial and asking not to be added to the charity's solicitation list.
I think that a note explaining that you are makinga one-time-only memorial donation is perfectly legitimate.
You can also request that your name not be placed on their "for sale" mailing list.
Thanks; that will make life a lot simpler.
George's Retirement Fund will honor all such requests.
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