Legal Assistance
A local
United Way office realized that it had never received a donation from the town's most
successful lawyer. The person in charge of contributions called him to persuade him to
contribute.
"Our research shows that out of a yearly income of at least $500,000, you give not a
penny to charity. Wouldn't you like to give back to the community in some way?"
The lawyer mulled this over for a moment and replied, "First, did your research also
show that my mother is dying after a long illness, and has medical bills that are several
times her annual income?"
Embarrassed, the United Way rep mumbled, "Um...no." " - or that my brother,
a disabled veteran, is blind and confined to a wheelchair?"
The stricken United Way rep began to stammer out an apology but was interrupted, " -
or that my sister's husband died in a traffic accident," the lawyer's voice rising in
indignation, "leaving her penniless with three children?!"
The humiliated United Way rep, completely beaten, said simply, "I had no
idea..."
On a roll, the lawyer cut him off once again: "- so if I don't give any money to
them, why should I give any to you?!?"