Sgt. Nadine Grant-Brown, the LASCO Police Officer of the Year for 2002, plays with a group of
children from the Collin's Close Basic School at the recent Christmas Treat sponsored by the LASCO Group. The school was adopted by LASCO five years ago. - Contributed
WITH CHRISTMAS Day only four days away, some charitable organisations are reporting a shortfall in the number of cash donations.
What is considered as the peak season for most charitable organisations, therefore, may not be looking so bright as in previous years.
"Our Letter Appeal (for donations) seems not to be as vibrant as in previous years, as not many people have been responding," said Major Devon Haughton of the Salvation Army, and this, he says, is a major part of their fund-raising drive.
Major Haughton noted the Salvation Army "has to be spending what we have not got as yet." So far it has spent in excess of $250,000, purchasing gifts for children in different homes and hospitals. This money, Major Haughton says, they hope to regain from potential donations and sponsors to come during the festive season.
Ruby Martin, chairman for the Maxfield Park Children's Home, says they get more treats than money. "The children get too many treats at Christmastime, so we have had to cut down on some. I would rather get the cash because we can do much more with that," she said. Mrs. Martin says that some charity-givers are under the impression that money donated to charity is not used for the intended purpose, so they prefer to give in kind.
But while donations of cash seem to have dried up, Jamaicans are giving in kind and most charity organisations that do receive, said clothes and other donations are in good condition.
"Very rarely do we get things that cannot be used," said Father Kulandairaj Ambrose, secretary for the Missionaries of Charity.
Father Ambrose, however, says, "Generally things have been difficult for people to give." While he admits that they usually receive a little more at Christmastime, Father Ambrose notes that persons are now giving more of their time than their money. "We have been getting more persons who are committed to having treats and giving gifts for Christmas," he says.
Sources at Food for the Poor, also say that they have been receiving clothes and other kinds in good
condition. "We get more donations in kind," the source said, as persons outside of their regular donors will give cash if they receive a bonus.
When contacted, some corporate businesses confirmed that despite the hard times, they have made every effort to keep donations constant.
DONATIONS
"We have not left out any of the people that we normally give donations to," said Lavern Reid, assistant corporate communications manager at the Jamaica National Building Society (JNBS). Ms. Reid said, for this year so far, they have made donations to 20 organisations in Kingston, excluding those that the separate branches give to at Christmas. Among some of the charity organisations that have received donations are the Salvation Army, Golden Age Homes and Jamaica AIDS Support. Some churches were also given donations to assist in their Christmas treats.
Grace Silvera, communications manager at Red Stripe Company, also maintains that their donations have not been reduced this year. "This time of year we normally give three times the amount we normally give during the greater part of the year," Ms. Silvera said.
Despite the hard challenges and state of the economy, Ms. Silvera says they try to maintain what they normally donate each year. "Last year we helped 115 charity associations, and so far this year, we have made donations in excess of $12 million. Ms. Silvera also says the United Way of Jamaica has set a target to raise $100 million for 2004 and "Red Stripe has agreed to contribute the first million dollars" towards the venture.
REGULAR GIVING
The City of Kingston Co-operative Credit union (COK) has also managed to maintain their regular donations this year, as Dennis Hickey, marketing manager for COK says, "So far this year, combined outreach and Christmas contributions amount to almost $1.5 million." Mr. Hickey, however, said that the figures tend to fluctuate depending on profit margins for the year. "Every year, the members vote at the annual general meeting to decide how much money to allocate towards social outreach," he said. Mr. Hickey said the figure is around the same as last year.
Whether donations come in cash, kind or time, it is considered a big help to most charity organisations.
However, Sonia Sykes, marketing manager for Jamaica Property Company, has a different outlook, as she says cash donations are much more useful. "We donated to four different charities last year," but this year, the approach will be different. "The money that we normally use to purchase gifts, we will present as a cash donation," Ms. Sykes said.
This new approach is also recommended by Ms. Sykes for persons to also adopt in their personal giving this Christmas. Instead of kind and time, think cash, it may help a person more.
Teino Evans
