"So when you give to the poor, do not sound a trumpet before you, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, so that they may be honored by men. Truly I say to you, they have their reward in full." --- Matthew 6:2
01-25-2010 MELLINGER COLUMN DISCUSSES DONATIONS BY ATHLETES There is a reason why Sam Mellinger is considered one of top sports journalists in the area (SEE PROFILE). His recent column about donations by athletes raises some interesting issues and provides no easy answers. Mellinger had a conversation with a former baseball player, who noted that Kansas City Royals' David DeJesus received major media coverage recently for donating $2,500 to Haiti relief. “First of all,” the player told Mellinger, “if I was making $5 million and only gave $2,500 I’d be embarrassed. I wouldn’t want that out there. Second of all, it just makes it look like he’s doing this for all the wrong reasons, that it doesn’t mean as much.” Mellinger noted that, "DeJesus will make $4.7 million this year, so $2,500 is the rough equivalent of $25 for someone who makes $50,000 a year." His column discusses both sides of the donation/publicity issue in a fair and balanced manner. There is no easy answer and Mellinger pretty much lets the reader decide for himself. Well done.
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