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I need a sugar fix
By Cam Tait
April 10, 2006
Is there such a thing as a crazy contribution? A dumb donation? Poor philanthropy? I'll let you be the judge. On the kitchen table, well within smelling distance of my den, there's a piece of saskatoon pie and a Nanaimo bar. At the end of this I'll go dig in because I just might need some sweetening up.
Folks, I don't understand what I'm about to tell you. But, on both counts, I'll give it the old college try. Last week, the University of Alberta men's hockey team won the national title here in Edmonton. They paraded the Telus University Cup, the holy grail of university hockey, around Rexall Place. Edmontonians, who are so passionate about their sports teams, were in heaven because, for the second year in a row, the Telus Cup was in their town.
But not for long. The boys were out celebrating, having a few pops, and there sat the guest of honour - the Telus Cup - on a chair. More pops might have been consumed, and then when the boys looked around again their holy grail was gone. Vanished. Someone lifted the trophy from the well-known nightclub and it hasn't been seen since.
Late Thursday afternoon, one of Canada's largest phone companies - which won't be named, but if you want to take a guess, you can tell us - issued a press release. In that release, they chose to tell us (another clue, folks) that if someone finds the Telus Cup and turns it over to the police or the Golden Bear men's hockey club, they will make a $5,000 contribution to Edmonton's Food Bank. But understand, only if the cup is found.
Forgive the pun, but how do you like them apples? What about them bananas?
I applaud corporations that support the community. And I applaud the phone company's desire to want to make a contribution to Edmonton's Food Bank. But because of a stolen piece of property? And, only if that stolen piece of property is returned?
I have some concerns. What type of message are we sending, particularly to the youth who are easily swayed by the media? Could stealing become the cool thing to do now because someone will make a contribution to charity? No, stealing is wrong. Period. It's against the law. And those who steal should be dealt with accordingly, rather than potentially becoming heroes and looking good for a charity.
For those of you who have been kind enough to read my stuff over the years, you will know my very strong belief of giving because it's the right thing to do. It's not about getting your name in the paper or on television. I am sorry, but I see this as a media opportunity the telephone company is taking full advantage of.
I don't agree with it.
I would like to know what you think. Do you agree with me? Or, in these days when charities are asking all the time, is looking a gift horse in the mouth worth a double take? And, above all, does turning in a stolen piece of property belong under the charity umbrella? Please send me your thoughts and comments to the e-mail at the end of this column.
I do apologize if I sound grumpy or flippant. But it's nothing a piece of saskatoon pie or Nanaimo bar can't sweeten up in a hurry.
Cam Tait is a sports reporter for the Edmonton Journal. He covered charitable issues for almost 20 years. Thoughts, comments, ideas or a simple hello are welcomed at cam@charityvillage.com.
Opinions expressed by columnists are their own and do not necessarily reflect the views of CharityVillage.com®.
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