View allAll Photos Tagged Openminded
I was a franchisee for Subway Sandwiches in Dallas for seven years. During most of those years, we participated in fund raising events with your Foundation. We spent quite a few of our advertising dollars to promote the Susan G. Komen name and encouraged customers to come in and purchase a customized, collectable cup that was produced by funds donated by our partners in food service. The deal was (if I remember correctly) that the cups were twenty-five cents more than a regular cup. We ended up with more foot traffic, the customers could feel good about their purchase, and the whole quarter would be donated to the Foundation. I think it worked out for all involved.
But I wanted to go a little farther. I pulled a little sly one on my customers. They went through the motions and purchased the cup but I never added the up-charge. No, I did not rip the Foundation off, because I sent in my twenty-five cents per cup sold, but I paid it out of my own pocket. My customers got to feel good for giving and I rewarded their generosity and desire to give by paying their donation myself. There were people of all walks of life who came in to give. Rich and poor, black, brown and white. Women, men and children. You know, I even still have some of those cups at my house.
It was important for them to give for a variety of their own personal reasons. It was important for me to give because I lost my Mom to cancer. It was not breast cancer, but just like how cancer does not discriminate, the type does not either. You say "cancer" and "mothers" and I take notice.
But imagine my dismay.
You see, I paid the donation for all the people who came in to buy a cup. Rich and poor, black, brown and white. I did not pay the donations only if they were wealthy. Or Christian. Or conservative. I paid for all. Without question. I did that because I thought the money would go to help everyone. Regardless of faith, politics, beliefs, income...
I thought the foundation had the same goal regarding helping women. If there was a way to get services to them, then the foundation would act. And use money I sent them. Sadly, there appears to be a litmus test for who can help end the horror of breast cancer. Who can help people stop losing their Mothers to cancer. I have to say that I think a litmus test is not very openminded. I know your Foundation has the right to do with the money as you see fit, but so do I. I believed in your group because you said you would help. If you have no plan to help everyone, then I will find a group that will. Consider my donations at an end.
I am fully aware that the Foundation has a guideline that they will not participate with other groups "under investigation" but it is clear to many that the actions against Planned Parenthood are a witch hunt in sheep's clothing, designed to harass and coerce them. For the Susan G. Komen Foundation to justify witholding dollars that are specifically earmarked for mammograms solely upon these hearings when such a large portion of the low income public rely exclusively upon Planned Parenthood is a shame. If you are to become an organization who sells women's health for political expediency, then you shall do so on your own.
Respectfully,
Michael
Amsterdam, The Netherlands - July, 5 2015: young black boy hiding from the rain under a cover during Amsterdam Roots Open Air, a cultural festival held in Park Frankendael on 05/07/2015
I had a great day today with my wonderful friend Philip (Piscesdreamer) at the Pride Parade. It was dang hot but we managed to not melt and get some good shots - like this one! :-)
My letter to the editor made it into the NOW magazine for this week!
A friend of mine said he was damned if he did show and damned if he didn't after last year's no show. I can kind of see her point but what actually bothered me more last year wasn't Ford not showing up to the Pride Parade but the fact that he couldn't even have the courtesy to show up to City Hall - his place of work - for the raising of the Pride flag. And he was in town for that. Like really??
I'm sure I'm not the only one who won't miss him again this year.
The Little Things #30
"shall I compare thee to a summer's day?"
he just looks to me like he is reciting Shakespeare.......don't ask why I think that........
and I thought that reading while exercising was odd
A squirrel, chipmunk, or SOMETHING like that who is "information-hungry". This was made for a post on my mind development blog. One of my first completed vector drawings. (2010)
Amsterdam, The Netherlands - July, 5 2015: young mother with her daughter during Amsterdam Roots Open Air, a cultural festival held in Park Frankendael on 05/07/2015
Amsterdam, The Netherlands - July, 5 2015: young black boy hiding from the rain under a cover during Amsterdam Roots Open Air, a cultural festival held in Park Frankendael on 05/07/2015
Block controller. New frame design eliminates screws on the faceplate and adds a semi-transparent smoke acrylic bottom.