Yesterday I set up my booth at CAJE 32. The configuration was not what I had anticipated so I made some modifications on the fly. I think the display is eye-catching and people are immediately engaged – understanding the potential of the tzedaka/charity boxes. Lots of interest, lots of preliminary scoping around as it was the first day.
My Dollars for Darfur campaign, however has started off rather slowly. A miserly $4, including one shiny golden Sacajawea coin. That was cool, but otherwise disappointing. I don’t want to push the donations, after all, primarily I am talking to my visitors about their educational endeavors and how my products can assist them. Occasionally I’ll suggest a small donation after our conversation when they are dropping their business cards into my box.
One gentleman said, “oh, I think I’m good with Darfur donations this year.”
Hmmm. Within the Jewish community, Darfur has been a major battle cry. I wonder, thought, have we reached a saturation point of Darfur awareness and giving?? Last I looked, millions of people are still living in refugee camps, with inadequate food, clothing and other basic human needs. Safety? Healthcare? Peace? Minimal, if not at all. Are people so tired of hearing “Darfur” that they can’t drop a $1 into a tzedaka box?
Partly my reaction is shock. Another part of me is thinking, wow, I should have picked a more “hot” charity, and, well, what might that be? It’s an interesting predicament.
Stay tuned.
I’m not sure it has anything to do with Darfur saturation. It might be as simple as where the tzedakah box is positioned amidst the boxes that you’re selling–I don’t actually remember seeing the campaign or the box, even though I did drop in my card.
I do know that one of the discussions in the community has been whether we should take care of “our own” first or whether there is a global responsibility to rescue victims of genocide first. Some people connect to one cause and some to another. Don’t be discouraged.