The local United Way office realized that it had never received a donation from the
town's most successful lawyer. A local volunteer calls to solicite his donation, saying
"our research shows that even though your annual income is over a million dollars,
you do not give one penny to charity! Wouldn't you like to give back to your community
through The United Way?"
The lawyer thinks for a moment and says: "First, did your research show that my
mother is dying after a long, painful illness and has huge medical bills far beyond her
ability to pay?"
Embarrassed, the United Way rep mumbles, "Uh, no."
"Secondly, that my brother, a disabled veteran, is blind and confined to a
wheelchair and is unable to support his wife and six children?"
The stricken United Way rep begins to stammer an apology but is cut off.
"Thirdly, that my sister's husband died in a dreadful traffic accident", the
lawyers voice rising in indignation, "leaving her penniless with a mortgage and three
children?"
The humiliated United Way rep, completely beaten, says simply, "I had no
idea."
The lawyer then says"...and if I don't give any money to THEM, why should I give
any to you?"
