DEAR ABBY: I have a gripe I haven't seen addressed in your column. I receive labels, free gifts and even money from charities asking for donations. Why aren't they using all that money for the charity?
I thought I'd done the right thing by sending annual contributions to one charity. Then I get frequent appeals from them that they have run into extra expenses and want more! Americans are generous people, but these groups are bleeding us dry. I'm on the verge of not contributing to any of them. -- TURNED OFF IN TOPEKA
DEAR TURNED OFF: Charities (and causes) hire specialized companies that analyze what kind of "appeals" generate the most money. They have figured out that people who receive "gifts" feel "obligated" to reciprocate -- hence the labels, notepads, etc.
As to being solicited more than once a year, this is done because many people can't remember exactly when they last donated and, in my opinion, it's a way of taking advantage. That said, with the economy in the shape it's in, many charities are genuinely suffering. The need is great -- so please do not stop giving altogether.