Does Bono etc turn you off supporting charity?

Question

Many people actually believe that Bono's preaching about Africa etc has a negative efect on many members of the public.

Ohers say a pensioner who gives $10 from her measely income is donating much more in real terms than a multi-millionaire pop star giving some time.

Are you turned of the message by the messenger?

Answer 1

To some degree, but not as much as I am by the theiving by the charities themselves. The Red Cross is especially guilty of this. Bono's pomposity would indeed be more bearable if he spent 80-90% of his wealth feeding the poor. He'd still be richer then most.

Answer 2

No I gave BB=(before Bono) I will continue AB=after Bono to contribute to my favorite charities. I think it is great that celebrities take time to care and share. Their jobs put them in the spotlight so it is only natural maybe even an obligation that they use this same spotlight to support great causes. I could do what Mr Bono is doing but who would listen,my only talent is art and that is a matter of taste lol. If I had a charity to run I would want a well recognized face to bring it as much attention as possible. So my answer is no it will not change how I give I may even wish to give more. It is a far far classier thing they do when they use their personalities for good positive causes not a platform to vent their view of the world or a politician. My impression of Mr Bono is that he is sincere, he is not "a cause if the month" celeb and that does make an impression. I say just listen to the message it is real and he is not the only one speaking and telling the world we must do something now. Thanks Bono your help is appreciated! Just my take in this hope this puts some light on it for you,
Take care ~A~
PS on the penioner comment I would say her 10.00 gift could be more valuble than someone who is a multi millionarie giving a deductable and large donation. I think that is something that only God could tell us for only he knows what is truly in anyones heart. The small donation may go by with little fan fare but it is those seemingly small ones that make up the majority of money raised in any charity. ~A~

Answer 3

Bono gives his own time and work, which is far more valuable than money. Money has never solved charity problems, its people's efforts that make the difference. It's much easier to write a check (which Bono could easily do) than to fly around the world, leaving his family behind, getting little sleep, spending time in Africa where there are no 5-star hotels, trying to get stuffy politicians who see him as just some silly rock star to listen. Bono does that. Perhaps if more people left the comforts of home to travel to Africa to make a difference, they'd have a better understanding into Bono's actions.

Answer 4

We all know Africa needs help and it is only right that the likes of Bono and Bob Geldof constantly remind us. After many years of donating we has a family have decided that to throw large amounts of money at just any charity achieves very little in our opinion. What we feel we need to do is identify with a small group and support it completely. We have started to do this with a group in Mombasa after our 20 year old daughter worked with the street children there in her "gap life"! Our first shipment sent football and boxing equipment which has helped to raise the profile of the clubs set up to focus these kids through sport. Our long term objective is to buy a property to house and rehabilitate as many of these beautiful children who wish to be helped.
Our answer would therefore be not to throw money into a large pot, but find a cause which you can identify with, keep in touch with and watch the results - believe me it is so rewarding.
We have started a web site if you are looking for a home for your funds - visit Victoria and see what she has to say .....................
www.gladshouse.com
Cheers and keep up the good work Bono X

Answer 5

Agree that the poor pensioner giving $10 is giving a larger donation when compared to a Rock Star giving some time but Bono and his like should continue their work. Anyone donating anything to charity helps make a difference.

Answer 6

The pensioner might be sacrificing more, and for that reason, her donation might be more admirable.

But on the other hand, Bono and others in the One campaign are making a bigger difference, raising world awareness, inspiring people not only to donate but to voice support for more aid and action on the part of their governments, who can do a lot more than any individual donor. Plus, giving benefit concerts is like giving bucketloads of money, considering what he'd normally get for a concert.

I think it's great for celebrities to use their star power to raise awareness for causes that are important to them, especially if it's accompanied by their own time, money and other efforts. It will become important to millions of fans as well, and maybe more will be done about it. Some of the G8's actually pledged another 1% of aid (i.e. billions!) largely thanks to the One campaign and the worldwide support/pressure it rallied. $10 can't do that!

If you've ever done any charity fundraising, you'll know that with a little effort and publicity, your time spent doing that will raise more funds than you ever could've afforded to donate yourself, and most of it money that wouldn't have been donated if you hadn't asked. Well, that's true for celebrities too--world governments have much bigger pocketbooks than Bono does.

It might not be a huge sacrifice, but it's more than most are doing, and it is getting real results, which is the important thing, right?

Answer 7

No Bono helps others and donates himself. He alone cannot end poverty but if he could, I trust he would.
His message is real and needs to be addressed. It's people like you who don't look at the issue at hand but evaluate the messenger. If it was Angelina Jolie, would you still feel the same?
I think what Bono has done for the world is commendable. He has used his fame for good and what's so bad about that? I just hope that his message gets accross and people open their minds and wallets to help the cause.

Answer 8

Bono is doing a great job by drawing attention to these charitable causes.

If someone is truly sympathetic towards people who need help, and is willing to help, it doesn't make sense that this person would get turned off just because Bono supports it also. The kind of people who get turned off by Bono and other celebrities are people who would never help to begin with. It is silly for them to say that they are turned off on the idea of charity because Bono is involved.

Answer 9

Bono's message is good. And he probably open peoples eyes who might otherwise remain ignorant.
But i also tend to agree with the bit about the pensioner.
I get phone calls and doorstep calls and post from charities asking me for money. Right now i only make enough to pay my rent and eat; I go to school in the fall on a student loan which will take me years to pay off.
I get angry when they ask me for money, so i asked them why the come to me - they tell me every little bit counts, I can make a difference.
Well ask Tom Cruise, Julia roberts, Brad Pitt, Jennifer Lopez, Puff Daddy, Donald Trump...........ask any of these people who make too much money don't ask us. Any of those people could give 90% of their worth and still be far better off then anyone I will ever know.

Answer 10

Why shouldn't anyone (famous or otherwise) stand up for what they believe in and try to make the world another place? Some of us may do this in a more quiet way, such as checking in on an elderly neighbor. However, those with media attention have a unique opportuntity to make an impact on a larger scale and ought to take advantage of that. The spotlight is already on them, the question is will they use that to make a difference or just to be exploited by the latest scandal?

Answer 11

More people like Bono and Angelina (although I am not keen on her acting!)

Seriously though, It is so nice to see celebrities not being self centred and actually being passionate about a cause that needs bringing into the light, otherwise we just kind of forget that these atrocities happen. Also celebs have more power to influence decisions than we do.

But I also agree with your comment that the person who gives there last pound has given more.

The moral of th story, we should all give what we can when we can.