Who benefits?
Many of us patronize benefit events held for certain individuals or certain causes. It's great that there are such compassionate individuals to help each other - both those who host the events and those who attend.
Surely you've seen the posters which state:"A portion of the proceeds benefits" a particular charity or cause.How much is a portion? And, what does "proceeds" constitute?For the most part, businesses and individuals which plan events to benefit charities, causes, individuals, or tragedy victims are sincere. But we all know this isn't a perfect world.Does "a portion of the proceeds" mean 75 percent? 25 percent? One percent? A half of a percent?And what are proceeds? The amount taken in at the door? The total money raised at the event after a band is paid?Currently, neither patrons nor the general public have a way of knowing the percentage of the proceeds or the what the proceeds entail at a fund-raising event.Even when "all proceeds" are donated, the term "proceeds" is still ambiguous. It doesn't state if this includes only money raised on tickets sold, total profits netted, or money collected over and above the usual money made at the event.If no profit is made on the event, is a donation still made?This isn't to suggest or accuse that anything less than honest is being done locally. In fact, we would bet that local businesses and groups are a lot more honest, generous, and up-front than their compatriots in other areas.But it still is good to know how much of that hoagie price is going to the cause for which you're buying the hoagie, or how much of that candy bar price is actually going to the Little League.We're not saying that complete financial figures should be released on all fundraising events, especially those instituted by private businesses. But people should be able to know what percentage or what amount of their ticket price actually goes to the intended cause before they buy the tickets.By Ron Gower