Dec. 3, 2008 — As the world's economic problems deepen the need for charitable agencies increases, and around the world people are digging deeper into their already-tight pocketbooks to help meet the need, says Teresa Hall Bartels, president and CEO of United Way International.
Bartels was on St. Croix Wednesday for the United Way Caribbean Regional Meeting. Representatives from nations across the Caribbean have gathered at the Divi Carina Resort to discuss how they are facing the difficult times that have engulfed the world's economy.
It would seem logical that, as the economic slump deepens, there would be fewer resources available to meet the increased need. In fact, that's not actually the case, Bartels said.
"Our experience in terms of overall charitable giving — not just the United Way, but overall — only two times has charitable giving actually decreased," she said. And those two times were not directly related to economic downturns, she added, but the result of extraordinary events — 1973 to 1975, at the height of the first oil crisis, and 2001 to 2003, after the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001.
Corporations have already confirmed their plans to continue charitable giving, assuming they can remain in business and their investment portfolios aren't wiped out in the volatile stock market. More importantly, the average working man or woman realizes that the need is great and, in other circumstances, it might be him or her asking for help.
"It's everyday people who understand that life can be going just fine, and then little glitches come up and people need help," Bartels said.
Individuals giving through payroll deductions can add up to be a powerful force for making the world better, she said. An individual may feel that his or her $50 a year won't make much difference. But when hundreds of thousands of people each donate $50, suddenly the resources to improve the lives of people who are suffering grows to impressive size.
It's not just money that can make a difference, she said. Even a person who cannot afford even a token donation can give something just as valuable — time. Volunteer efforts can help agencies spread their budgets further and give the volunteer a more direct feeling of helping out.
Lt. Gov. Gregory Francis seconded her thoughts, pointing out to the opening session of the regional meeting that even a $50 annual donation is less than the cost of a bottle of drinking water a week.
"Individuals who send their contributions to the United Way are sure that they'll be received by those who need them most," Francis said.
The United Way plays an important role in relieving suffering in the world, Bartels said.
"In tough times when the need is greater, you need to prioritize your giving," she said. "In giving to the United Way you get terrific value for your donation."
The United Way representatives will meet at the Divi through Friday afternoon, trading ideas about what works, what needs to be done and what successes and problems they have. During their stay they will also tour the new V.I. Cardiac Center at the Juan Luis Hospital.
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