The local United Way office realized that
it had never received a donation from the town's most successful lawyer. A local volunteer
calls to solicit his donation, saying "Our research shows that even though your
annual income is over a million dollars, you do not give one penny to charity! Wouldn't
you like to give back to your community through The United Way?"
The lawyer thinks for a moment and says:
"First, did your research show that my mother is dying after a long, painful illness
and has huge medical bills far beyond her ability to pay?"
Embarrassed, the United Way rep mumbles,
"Uh, no."
"Secondly, that 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 rep begins to
stammer an apology but is cut off. "Thirdly, that my sister's husband died in a
dreadful traffic accident", the lawyers voice rising in indignation, "leaving
her penniless with a mortgage and three children?"
The humiliated United Way rep, completely
beaten, says simply, "I had no idea."
The lawyer then says "... and if I
don't give any money to THEM, why should I give any to you?"
