Why is Charity Important During a Crisis?

by David Rocha, executive director of Jewelers for Children, New York.

Things don't always go the way we expect.  Sometimes there are challenges presented to us in our day-to-day lives that affect how we live and how we do business.  The coronavirus pandemic is a challenge we're all dealing with and it's changing our lives in ways we never could have expected. 

When we're faced with changes like this, our natural instinc is to pull back and protect ourselves, our loved ones and our livelihood.  One natural reaction is to stop doing things that we do regularly, like supporting charities. But that is completely the wrong move to make.

While our businesses will be challenged this year, so will every non-profit organization.  As an example, Make-A-Wish has suspended every travel wish for the time being, and is limiting wishes where larger groups of people will assemble.  St. Jude Children's Research Hospital has reinforced their rigid protocols for protecting their patients with compromised immune systems.

The Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation has recalled all of their field people who do not live full-time in their host countries and the National CASA Association has headquarters in Seattle, WA the epicenter of the U.S. outbreak.  While we weather this storm, many of us will cut back on our expenditures, including donations to charities.

Very close to home, local food pantries, soup kitchens, and other community support organizations will be needed more than ever as people struggle to cope with a reduction in income and support that comes from a community that is hunkered down and pulling back. 

At times like these we all need to come together and help those around us however we can.  That might not be just offering financial support.  Maybe you have an elderly neighbor or one who is at a greater risk of infection.  You don't want to necessarily visit that person, but why not call them?  See if they're okay.  See if maybe you could pick up some medications or food and leave them at their door.  Reach out and see if there is something you can do to help a local organization in a way that keeps you and your loved ones safe.  If you're fortunate enough, get out that checkbook and help.

In time, wish kids will get their dream trips; expectant mother in developing countries will get treatment so they can deliver healthy babies, visitors will once again roam hospital corridors and we'll return to a more normal way of life.  In the interim, let's all pull together in new and different ways to help each other and those less fortunate.