Dow Chemical is currently sponsoring the Blue Planet Run. The purpose is to raise awareness of the need for clean and safe drinking water around the world, and to raise money in an effort to do something about the problem. 20 people are running for 95 days, 24 hours a day, across 16 countries and over 15,200 miles. Of course they are not all doing it at once ... it is a sort of relay. But the impact is made: Wow! That's a long time! That's really far! What an incredible physical challenge!!
I don't think runs like this are bad, but I'm just struck by how odd it is. Personally, I've run in the Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure Thanksgiving Day 5k several times, and I've participated in the Blue Bell Fun Run to raise money for the Brenham High School Athletic Program in Brenham, Texas (all the blue bell you could eat was available at the finish line!!!) And several good friends have participated in a number of races, marathons, biking events, etc. to raise money and awareness for a number of different health-related phenomena, including Juvenile Diabetes and Leukemia and Muscular Dystrophy.
There are several benefits I see: 1) money and awareness are raised; 2) people who might not ordinarily go for a jog are inspired to give sacrificially of themselves in an effort to help others. It's not just about saying, "Hey, there's a problem here, why don't you give money to help out" they're saying "not only is there a problem, but I'm willing to put myself through physical suffering (depending on your level of fitness) to show you how much I care about this particular problem. Please support me by giving a little money"; 3) people who run or bike or walk derive huge feelings of self-satisfaction from doing the physical exercise involved; 4) companies who sponsor the events get social awareness and community involvement points.
Does it matter, in the end, if some of the companies do it only for the name-recognition they gain, as well as for the social awareness and community involvement points? Does it matter if we do it more for ourselves, really, than for the program we claim to support?
A problem I see is that all of this costs us very little, in the end. Yes, we have to put out the effort to run on the race day, and we go through weeks or months of training (if you work with a group like Team-in-Training), and we give money to the programs. But we also have a great deal of fun on the race day, and connect with others who have the same concerns and cares, or who are just interested in having a good time at the race. What impact does this have on the people we are trying to help? Is it really the best and most efficient way for us to change their world and their lives for the better, whatever they happen to need? Or is it more about making us, as a society, as people living in a world of privilege, feel good about ourselves and our ability to give of ourselves for others?
In the world of charity and their support, it is an interesting phenomenon to me. We are certainly called to GIVE, and to give of ourselves sacrificially (which I don't feel like I do, to be completely honest here.) But why are we running? And having benefit concerts? As much as I like these events, and will continue to support them (and my friends who choose to take part!!), I wonder if they aren't more about us than about the people we're trying to help. I'd love to hear your thoughts about this!
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4 comments:
Clearly, the charity concerts, the fun runs, the products that donate a "portion of the proceeds" to charity are not the most efficient way to give our money to worthy causes. The most efficient way to give is to find a cause that you support, research the relevant organizations on Give.org or charity navigator to determine who will use the highest amount of you donation to actually help people, and then give directly to the organization.
If everyone were willing to do that, then it would be fine. But, alas, we are not naturally a self-sacrificing people, much though many of us would like to be. So, the worthy causes find ways to raise awareness and funds in ways that also benefit the giver - through a product, a concert, a run...whatever works. Because ultimately, an inefficient donation to help others is better than no donation at all.
I also like to think that these activities help to raise awareness and that, once awareness has been raised, people will then be more likely to give more efficiently.
The giving I am talking about, of course, focuses on the financial. There are also those who choose to give of their time to help people, which is great. I could go on and on about great ways to give of yourself and the responsibility that is required to make sure that you are making the most of the gifts to benefit the recipients and not just focus on the givers. But this is just a comment...
I wonder how much water Dow Chemical has polluted over the years?
Annette, I think you're right. But part of the difficulty of choosing one cause, and then one charity, is that so many others are left out. But ultimately, I think you're right that that is the best way to make the greatest impact.
Texas, yes ... good question. I hadn't thought about the inherent irony of this particular sponsorship.
The Blue Planet Run is entering US on August 1st. How can you help?
1. Spread the message
2. Participate at the run.
3. If you can afford it, donate. 100% (!!!) of your proceeds goes to water projects.
Jan
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