- FileChildren at the Maxfield Park Children's Home being feted by members of the Lions Club.
Klao Bell, Staff Reporter
JUST mention 'children' and the heart and purse strings of many Jamaicans open readily. But children's charities have had to be very keen in protecting themselves from unscrupulous programme organisers who would exploitatively seek to make a profit on their events by claiming that "part proceeds are in aid of..."
Popular charities as well as the Children's Services Division (CSD) of the Ministry of Health have had to screen and in some cases reject persons who approach them with the promise of raising funds "for the children".
They say that at times it has turned out that they get either little or nothing from the proceeds of the event.
Requests
"We are careful about persons who approach us. When they do they have to make written requests and the terms agreed upon beforehand. We have had to say no to quite a few persons because we are not confident of their motives," said Claudette Hemmings, deputy director of the CSD. She added that, "we only allow people of good reputation."
Mrs. Hemmings said that while the division is not aware of the revenue generated by the fund-raisers, "we do get something and we are satisfied with those we have allowed."
Since the start of the year, at least 30 events have been advertised in The Gleaner claiming that, "part proceeds are in aid of..." Most of these are for children's charities, schools or youth clubs. During May which is Child Month, a number of activities are usually hosted as well.
But chairpersons of reputable charities such as the Maxfield Park Children's Home and the Sir John Golding Centre (formerly Mona Rehabilitation Centre) are very cautious about allowing use of their organisations' names in fundraisers.
"One has to be careful when a group says 'part proceeds' because it can be 10 per cent, two per cent or nothing," said Ruby Martin, chairperson for the Maxfield Park Children's home, which is the country's largest and oldest children's home.
"Persons have used charities to raise money and to protect ourselves we decided that the percentage that we are to receive must be agreed upon before. But even with that the odd one still says, 'sorry, we didn't make anything' and so we don't get anything," Mrs. Martin said.
Donations
Donations are critical to Maxfield Park Children's Home as approximately 80 per cent of the Government subvention goes toward paying salaries.
"In most cases we get what is promised from fundraisers. We always prefer that people speak with us before using our name for an effort. It certainly would be morally incorrect to get people to donate on the pretext of a cause...in most cases we get what is promised," said Major General Robert Neish chairman of the Mona Rehabilitation Foundation.
The Sunday Gleaner asked about an event held last month, which in its ads, stated that part proceeds would go to the centre.
"We have not yet received those returns but it is not uncommon for groups to present the receipts a month or so after, because it might take a little while to gather all outstanding funds," Major General Neish said.
He said some groups are hesitant about stating the sum that the charity should expect for fear that the event is unsuccessful.
A different perspective came from a superintendent at another children's home who said though people may be unscrupulous, she doesn't mind, as long as the home gets something.
"I don't have a problem if people benefit...things are so hard, we are happy to get a little thing and if they benefit, well good for them," the superintendent said.
Apart from the satisfaction that comes from a philanthropic effort, individuals and organisations can get waivers and tax breaks when they give to charity.
"Individuals can get a break of up to one-twentieth of the income donated to charity. Persons would have to retain receipts showing contribution and claim to the department at the end of the year...but mainly large companies take advantage of this, individuals rarely do." said Meris Haughton, public relations officer at the Tax Administration Board.
