James Siminoff

Good gone wrong?

This weekend I had 2 “run ins” with charities.

The first was when I was walking around Malibu, some kids from Greenpeace asked us if we want to learn more about Greenpeace.  They ask, “Do you have 5 minutes for the environment?”.

The second was at the grocery store. The check out person asked me if I could spare a dollar for Muscular Dystrophy.  With 10 people in the line behind me looking at me it sort of felt like I had a jury watching waiting to silently judge me guilty when I said no.

I think of myself as a very charitable person.  This year I sponsored a kid from NJ for a 4 year college sponsorship, I get nothing from it and no one really knows I did it (it is not like he is on the “Siminoff” scholarship), I just get the satisfaction knowing that I did something to change someones life.  I really like giving but I like doing it on my own terms.

I am not sure if I should be against charities from using the guilt method of getting donations but I can tell you that personally I find it deplorable.