Homer Alaska - Opinion

Interesting dilemma. Knowing you've shared brings satisfaction in itself; still, most of us like to get a pat on the back once in a while for our good deeds. And yet

The Medieval Spanish philosopher and physician Maimonides wrote that donations given anonymously represent a higher level of charity than giving when your name is known to the receiver. His idea of greater and lesser levels of charity — altogether he lists eight — is one reason I usually prefer to give anonymously. Maimonides died more than 800 years ago. Are his ideas still applicable today?

Yes, says a particularly generous friend of mine. "I don't feel there's anything special about me when I make a donation. If I hadn't stepped up to give when asked, someone else would have done so." Her explanation puts me in mind of the times I've seen priceless paintings by great masters hanging on museum walls over simple brass tags that read Anonymous Gift. How much joy the donors must have felt bringing a private treasure into the public realm — no validation required.

Small anonymous donations are as important as big ones. School children offered pennies to help install, and later repair, the Statue of Liberty. Over the years kids have trick or treated for UNICEF to the tune of some $148 million. Today some American schools collect change for schools in Afghanistan.

On the other hand, people whose job it is to raise money encourage donors to share their names as an example to others. I remember knocking on doors in Halibut Cove to solicit for the new Homer Library construction. Every person I approached asked how much other neighbors had offered. I mentioned some rather hefty amounts, which often prompted the response, "Oh, I can match that."

Major philanthropists throughout the ages have generally liked being recognized. Their names appear on libraries, universities and family charitable foundations. They've created a tangible immortality of sorts. A current favorite way of raising money for nonprofit construction projects is to sell engraved bricks, wall plaques or copper fish to donors. There's a comfortable sense of solidarity seeing one's name swimming along with friends.

I confess to scanning Homer concert and theater programs for names of supporters, where I recognize many people and wonder who are the fellow Anonymous. Gee! I just realized: By choosing to give anonymously I might actually get credit for helping out more organizations than I actually do.

Diana Conway is a retired Spanish teacher who lives in Halibut Cove. She writes for young people's magazines. Her next published story will be No Smoke in the Chimney in the March-April 2010 issue of CICADA. This once-a-month column is coordinated by the Homer Foundation. For more information about the foundation, go to its Web site at www.homerfund.org.