You would think even the most boneheaded grinch would have enough sense to understand that the Salvation Army's slogan of "doing the most good" pertains to people like him. But then again, it takes a particular brand of thief to steal from charity - the kind with no heart.
It's easy to chalk up a thief's actions to a criminal mind-set. But what to make of everyday people tightening their purse strings during a season when people need it most?
Less to give
All across the Philadelphia region, giving is down while the need is up.
"The very obvious fact," says Temple sociologist Matt Wray, "is that people stop giving because they have much less to give and, perhaps more importantly, the fear they will continue to have less and less. . . . If I thought I could give my last $25 to a worthy charity today because I'm sure that I'd have $50 tomorrow, I might do it. But these days, nobody feels that confident."
Fair enough. But what's inexcusable is subscribing to the Herman Cain theory that if you're out of a job, it's your own fault. You know, blame the poor for being poor. Sort of follows Rick Santorum's warped line of thinking that poor, obese folks don't need food stamps.
What's worse is that many struggling to stay in the middle class agree, even though they may be one paycheck away from a SNAP card themselves.
But here's what I've discovered about the human spirit: Kindness trumps pettiness every single time. Just when you think generosity has gone the way of those ripped-off red kettles, the goodness of people consistently comes through.
Spurred into action
When Daniel Hilferty, CEO of Independence Blue Cross, heard on the radio that Toys for Tots donations of new, unwrapped toys were lagging by a staggering 80 percent, two thoughts spurred him into action.
The first was, "The Marines are the sponsors," he said. "The Marines have never let us down, so we shouldn't let them down."
