This is not Charity

I like to listen to AM radio more than I like to listen to the multiplicity of music stations that overwhelm the FM band of the radio waves. I like to listen to AM radio for the simple fact that there is more talking than music. I actually LEARN shit rather than be lulled by the crappy music that is now popular. (Cite: Lil’ Jon and the entire “crunk” movement in hip hop YeeAaAas!) Yesterday afternoon, while I was puttering around Newmarket and eventually Markham and Scarborough, I heard a story of an elderly couple who donated 5 Million dollars to the Tsunami relief fund being collected by Canadian Red Cross.

While 5 Million dollars is a lot of fucking money this is not charity.

It’s not charity because although it’s been reported by various newspapers that the Pindoffs, “…weren’t looking for the publicity their generosity has provoked. But they’re hoping their example will inspire others to give whatever they can.” You’d think that with all their money they could’ve donated the 5 million dollar anonymously.

This is also not the first time that the Pindoffs have donated to the Red Cross. They’ve given at least $30 million over the years, reports say. “It’s an amazing act of charity for a duo who came here with nothing and built up a huge business in Canada.” Throw in the rags-to-riches story and it seems okay that they’ve allowed a dollar amount of their total contributions to the Red Cross over the years to be known.

To further argue the point that the Pindoffs act is not charity you have to know two things. Firstly (how is firstly not a fucking word, Jona? It’s an adverb!), this, reported by CP24, “The Pindoffs will present their extraordinary gift to the Red Cross Asia Earthquake & Tsunami Relief Appeal at 10 a.m. on Mon., Jan. 10 in front of Music World in Toronto's Eaton Centre.” And secondly, that the Pindoffs own the Music World chain of music stores. Is this still Charity to you? Maybe a definition would help.

This is the definition of “Charity” as given by dictionary.com:


char·i·ty ( P )
n. pl. char·i·ties
Provision of help or relief to the poor; almsgiving.

1. Something given to help the needy; alms.
2. An institution, organization, or fund established to help the needy.
3. Benevolence or generosity toward others or toward humanity.
4. Indulgence or forbearance in judging others. See Synonyms at mercy.
5. Often Charity – Christianity. The theological virtue defined as love directed first toward God but also toward oneself and one's neighbours as objects of God's love.

While these are all great definitions that span the range from what a charitable person is to what constitutes a charitable organization, this definition is lacking. It’s my contention that to be charitable does not merely involve giving until it bleeds or giving to those in need; it involves a sense of solemnity and anonymity. I think that people get “generosity” and “charity” mixed.

They aren’t the same shit, people.

When someone gives to an organization without wanting anything in return, among those things, a tax receipt or for their identity to be known, that folks, is charity. When the Pindoff serial philanthropists donate 5 million dollars in a public fiasco in front of their main chain store that is not charity. If I only had 5 million dollars, I’d donate it anonymously just to make some people think.

While I'm not going to say, "Fuck the Pindoffs!" because I do think that what they've done is admirable, I will not praise them for it or attribute some kind of saintly status to them. Generous as they are, they are not Charitable.