99 questions to ask your grandparents #56

56. Which humanitarian causes have you cared most about?

I don’t remember what my grandparents contributed to exactly. My maternal grandfather was a big fan and supporter of The Boy Scouts of America; I suspect he gave them money. I have a vague recall visiting one of their camps where he was known for his patronage. My paternal grandmother, being the devout Catholic, probably regularly contributed to her parish, but did she give otherwise? Indeed question #56 is one I would like to have asked my grandparents. They were not poor, so did they help any charities? *

My late Mother regularly contributed money and time to The Arts, mostly the symphony and the local art institute. Later on in life she got involved in my medical school and without an ounce of avarice rose in the hierarchy to become a major decision-maker including which students were to be admitted to medical school. She had no qualifications other than a keen sense if a person was nice or not. I suspect they gave her tasks as she would say yes and do things.

I used to be a big supporter of The Arts as well, and felt good about it, but people pointed out this sort of charity really only benefited myself, not people who really needed help. In the 90s I contributed time and money to TPAN (Test positive awareness) and The Howard Brown Clinic in Chicago, to help thems HIV positive and in need of assistance with medical treatment and basics. Doctors Without Borders was another I liked and it felt particularly good to help them out as I wasn’t an indirect beneficiary.

Truth be told Someone and I haven’t been contributing anything lately to anybody. It seems all the ones we used to help turned into scandal. The Salvation Army was written off when we found out they do not like our kind. The Human Rights Campaign (Someone told me) was using their funds wrong. We no longer give to The Met ever since they bowed to pressure not to broadcast certain operas. I hear tell there is somewhere online you can go to check if this-or-that charity is legitimate and doesn’t give most of its money to fat-cat CEOS and Board of Directors. Oh the horror.

There is certainly no lack of humanitarian causes, but which ones will do the most good for my money? If Spo-fans know of some causes that need help and actually walk the walk I would be blithe to hear about them. It is high time I did better at helping others.