United Way donors can designate gifts within its system
The Sun's editorial "Don't forget those most in need" (June 5) missed the real point about giving through the United Way. It suggested only two options: Designate money to a charity outside the United Way system or give to the United Way's "traditional social service agencies."
United Way members represent a wide range of charities, not just the "traditional social service agencies." Its seven big affiliates are Community Health Charities (formerly Combined Health Agencies), Associated Black Charities, Catholic Charities, the Red Cross, The Associated, the American Heart Association and the American Cancer Society.
The only way to ensure that your donation to the United Way goes to one of these agencies is to find that charity's code number for that in the booklet that comes with your pledge card and write it on your pledge card.
Gifts to the United Way that are not designated for one of these affiliates do not make a significant difference to most of the affiliates.
For example, designations to Community Health Charities rose 6.9 percent in the 1998 campaign. Yet, because donations designated for charities that are not members of the United Way system went up, United Way funds to our 24 member health charities were cut $170,000.
The United Way's 1998 campaign clearly showed that people want to choose where their money goes. The Sun should let readers know that this option is available within the United Way system.
Linda Cotton Perry, Baltimore
The writer is president and chief executive officer of Community Health Charities of Maryland.
Designated gifts provide donors welcome choices ...
I was appalled to read that the United Way of Central Maryland will be reducing support of its members and affiliates ("United Way tells many to expect less," June 3). Many Central Maryland charities rely on every dollar they receive from the United Way.
But I'm also concerned about the United Way discouraging donors from designating their gifts.
Although the United Way should tell donors it doesn't support private schools and other agencies that aren't members, it should not dissuade them from choosing which programs to support.
The United Way is encouraging contributors to give to the "Community Safety Net," where the money will be distributed according to the "recommendations of volunteers who evaluate programs' services and effectiveness."
But when giving to the "Community Safety Net," a donor will receive no assurance that the agency of his or her choice will receive any money.
Most donors want to give to an organization with which they have a personal connection.
I believe it's in the community's best interest when donors are not only given the freedom to choose, but know the full spectrum of organizations they can support.
That should be the function of the United Way, not choosing for me where my charity money should go.
Dan Nicolaisen, Glen Burnie
... or do they defeat purpose of a common, public fund?
I was outraged to learn from The Sun's article "United Way tells many to expect less" that the United Way allows people to designate their gifts for agencies that are not even members of United Way.
I don't approve of designating contributions and have never done it. People should give directly to their favorite charities, not take money away from excellent and important agencies just so everybody feels better about United Way's total.
That betrays the very purpose of United Way as a common fund for and from the whole community.
Eleanor N. Lewis, Baltimore
Delivering help for area shut-ins
Thanks to Harriet G. Bank who saluted the comic strip "Curtis" in her letter "Kudos to 'Curtis' and 'Meals on Wheels' " (June 5). In the strip, Curtis' mother recently became a Meals on Wheels volunteer.
In Baltimore and surrounding counties, Meals on Wheels delivers two balanced meals, one hot and one cold, to about 3,000 people every day.
Our regular meals are low-salt and low-fat. Special meals are also available for people who can't eat sugar, or who don't eat pork or fish, even for people with no teeth. Kosher meals are available.
Many people think that you have to be old or poor to get Meals on Wheels, but this isn't true. Anyone who is confined to home and can't prepare meals because of illness or disability, physical or mental, may be eligible for Meals on Wheels.
Most people pay something for their meals, depending on what they can afford.
Anyone looking for a worthwhile volunteer activity would do well to consider Meals on Wheels.
It isn't home nursing or amateur social work. It's just delivering the meals, along with a friendly word or two. Volunteers usually work in pairs; one person drives and one visits. It takes about two hours, perhaps one day a week.
Betsy Toland, Baltimore
The writer has been a Meals on Wheels volunteer since 1983.
The mining industry's role in western Maryland
In response to Ajax Eastman's letter ("Western Maryland needs more than tourism to flourish," May 30), the Maryland Coal Association wants to set the record straight on the mining industry's importance to Maryland's economic development and environment.
We take exception to Ms. Eastman's portrayal of House Speaker Casper Taylor as exploiting natural resources for jobs. We are proud of the speaker's work and the balanced approach he has taken to most of the problems we have faced.
The coal mining industry in Western Maryland provides some of the highest-paying jobs in Allegany and Garrett counties. The average annual wage for a coal miner is $42,000, more than twice the per- capita income in those counties.
Western Marylanders don't think these figures reflect outdated ideas about economic development.
A stable coal mining industry is also important to Maryland's efforts to clean-up the environment. Taxes and surcharges based on the state's annual coal production go to reclaim abandoned mine lands and abate our streams' acid mine drainage problems.
The Maryland coal industry paid nearly $17 million dollars in reclamation taxes and surcharges to local, state and federal governments from 1988 to 1998.
Coal has been an important piece of Western Maryland's history, and the Maryland Coal Association hopes to be part of an environmentally-friendly future for all of Maryland.
Adrienne Ottaviani, Frostburg
The writer is executive director of the Maryland Coal Association.
Article was unfair to disgraced lobbyist
The Sun has taken yet another shot at Bruce Bereano (Lobbyists maintain high-level spending," June 2).
In 1995, when I began my career as a lawyer, Mr. Bereano invited me to his office and told me what I needed to do to begin a career in lobbying.
He has always returned every call I've made to him, usually the same day.
Mr. Bereano was convicted of mail fraud. But the very people he defrauded remain his clients. Perhaps the system that convicted him has the real integrity problem.
If you want to quote someone about Mr. Bereano, why must you always go to Common Cause?
Mr. Bereano represents the very causes they oppose. Asking Common Cause about Mr. Bereano is like asking an Orioles fan about the Yankees.
Dennis G. Olver, Baltimore
Editor, reporters praised for taking a stand
Reporters get a lot of bad press these days, and I believe some of it is justified. What a thrill it was, therefore, to read about the Daily Record reporters withholding their bylines out of sympathy for editor Keith Girard ("Girard fired as Daily Record editor-in-chief," June 3.)
I salute these reporters for their ideals and loyalty and courage to act.
I hope that Mr. Girard's outstanding talent is not lost to Baltimore. We need more like him, and the fine reporters he inspires.
Hank Jordan, Timonium
Pub Date: 6/11/99