Still they come - the seemingly endless begging letters, some from charities of which I'm a supporter, and others with whom I've never had contact. Obviously, the various organisations swap their donor lists around.
In common, they all open with Dear Mary - what a nerve from people who are not family or friends - and proceed with a sob story, dropping my name in every now and then to make it look like a personal letter. I am especially unimpressed by receiving such letters from organisations to whom I have donated for 20 years or more. Why, after all that time do they write to me as if I'm a complete ignoramus who has no idea who they are or the work they do?
Not only do they want a donation, they cheekily name the amount for me to give ($30 or $40 is common). But wait, there's more. They also name the date by which I should send my donation.
These letters are so alike; they must be the brainchild of PR firms. If so, despite the business they're in, they have a lot to learn about public relations, as do the charities who have engaged them. Dear Mary is really put off by these moneygrubbing tactics and won't be making a specific donation by a specific date. Or any donation at all.
It would be better if charities stuck to what they can do with what they've got, instead of getting involved in such dubious methods of fund raising.
