A Decent Proposal: One For You, One for Harvey Relief (or Some Other Cause)
It’s Labor Day weekend, which “honors the American labor movement and the contributions that workers have made to the strength, prosperity, laws and well-being of the country” (Wikipedia). But most of us won’t think about that — we’ll be busy consuming entertainment, spending money on ourselves or our families and taking part in that time-honored tradition of massive sales on mattresses, electronics, cars, lawn furniture, clothing and pretty much everything else under the sun.
I do this too, of course. I’m an American freelancer on a tight budget, so sales on things I need definitely help; and in this climate — both political and meteorological — all my Magic 8-Ball signs point to spending additional cash this weekend at movie theaters, museums and shopping malls with central A/C. But this year, I’m also thinking about Houston and the devastation of Hurricane-now-downgraded-to-Tropical-Storm-Harvey and the ensuing flooding that’s ruining lives.
Facebook has made me aware, more than ever, of the visuals of the destruction in general as well as provided specificity as to which of the people in my network have been affected. And I want to help, but don’t always know how.
So I’m asking myself and asking you too: What can we do this weekend to help those for whom this weekend is not a “long weekend off” or “time away from work” or recreational time with family?
It’s simple (we help those who need it) and not simple (but how exactly?). Everyone has dozens of causes that they say are legitimate, and still other people have reasons why they won’t give to those charities. And if you announce you’ve given to one of these charities, people will constantly tell you that you gave to the wrong organization, that the funds would be more necessary or immediately put to use in another space, that you should only give to local organizations because they’re doing work on the ground and know the territory, or only to national organizations because they have the infrastructure to funnel cash more effectively to where it’s needed from an outsider’s perspective. The information is not definitive, there’s no clear “winner” that you connect to and so you do nothing.
For instance, I just came back from Vons — at checkout, they add the keypad option to add a donation to Harvey Relief. So I did — a few bucks that the cashier told me goes to the Red Cross. After posting it on Facebook, I was told that people are reluctant to give to the Red Cross because the organization doesn’t do a great job of explaining how it spends donations (read more here) but someone else noted that for immediate relief work, it’s probably okay to give to them. Others noted that the Salvation Army may or may not discriminate against LGBTQ people. And a number of mainstream news organizations have created lists of where to donate and how not to be taken in by scams that are trying to capitalize on this disaster.
I haven’t made any big donations — and in my framework, “big” is relative to freelancer income — partly because I don’t know where it’s needed most. I am trusting lists from local friends who are from or intimately know the area. But I have donated a small amount to friends on the ground in Houston who need money for specific things: cleaning supplies, for instance. It’s not sexy, it’s not a big organization, I can’t claim it as a donation on my taxes, but it’s people I trust doing hands-on work. They asked for help, and I am in a position to send something, so I did.
As I undoubtedly spend money on myself this weekend, I’ve decided to keep Houston in my mind with the following framework: “one for me, one for them.” I’m not saying this in a dollar-for-dollar matching funds way, although I wish I had the means to. But this weekend, when I buy something for myself, I’ll ask myself what I can also do for Houston, and what percentage of what I’ve spent on my own entertainment and leisure I should allocate toward vital services and recovery efforts in Houston. Consider it mindful consumption of a sort, designed to keep me rooted in the fact that my reality is a privileged one, and that when people in other places are suffering, it is my responsibility to help.
As an individual of limited resources and skills, I can’t rescue people, or rebuild their houses. But as the somewhat paraphrased Jewish adage goes, it’s not up to me to finish the endeavor, but I am not exempt from doing my part to move the effort forward.
I’m inviting you to join me. I don’t require a declaration of support or a video pledge. And I’m not even going to expect that what you give is money or that the cause you give to is Hurricane Harvey relief (although that’s a very visible and immediate need). But when you do something for yourself this weekend, when you buy something you need or want or enjoy, or even if you’re not purchasing anything, spend some time thinking about how to provide meaning, safety, shelter, sustenance, kindness, peace and love to other people.
One for you. And one for them.
We buy things for ourselves, to improve our lives, to fix things that are broken, replace things that are destroyed, and to enjoy the leisure activities we dream about all week. So do it. Go out and get yourself something you need, patch something you need, or do something you love. Make sure your needs are taken care of — put on your oxygen mask first — and then help others who need it. It could be a dollar or two thrown in a jar or hat for every purchase — a philanthropy surcharge on your spending — or a day’s end accounting of total spent and what percentage of that you’ll be donating to relief efforts. Small efforts accumulate. And a changed mindset has endless returns.
One for you. And one for them.
Let your purchases do more than just contribute to the economy or the box office or your home decor. Let them inspire you to connect to others and help you appreciate what you have and see others in need. Infuse your actions with meaning, and your purchases with prayer. Consider yourself, yes. And also consider others. Because Houston today could be Los Angeles tomorrow. And because it’s the right thing to do.
Author’s note: If this resonates with you and you put it into practice this weekend, feel free to comment and share your experience.
This post was partially inspired by a mandate toward greater kindness from several sources, including Gidi’s Kindness Project, in memory of a friend’s nephew who died last year.
