Don’t be deterred from giving to charity

In your May 28 Fence Post section, there was a letter written by Mary Byrne titled “Charities losing trust of this donor.” To this person and all people who do give to a charity, please continue to give.

Mary is correct that we probably get a lot of mail from organizations asking for something. She also was disheartened that her name is sold to every kind of organization, which should not occur without one’s approval.

I am deeply involved with the Society of St. Vincent de Paul, based in Chicago. At 154 years old, it is among the oldest charitable organizations in the United States. We do not send out letters to households (it’s expensive and we’d rather use this cost to help people). Donors’ names are not sold and are kept confidential. We also rely on events from time to time, such as our “Friends of The Poor” benefit in Oak Brook in April. The proceeds go into a special fund to help people in many ways.

Last year the society helped over 444,000 people with everyday needs like rent, food, utilities and more. We fed over 260,000 men, women and children with our 37 food pantries in Cook and Lake counties alone. Every year the need to help people gets larger, so please don’t stop giving. Just learn to whom you can give and perhaps become a volunteer with them. I can’t imagine what it would be like if no one gave and there were no charities to help people.

Bob Minaglia

Arlington Heights