Other gifts

While Prince Alwaleed’s gift wasn’t warmly received in New York, terror relief funds there are approaching $1 billion, a monumental expression of generosity and empathy from donors worldwide. But just as the donations to the victims and their families of the attack will be badly needed this year and next, so too will the donations local charities have counted on to keep going in their communities.

News reports from around the country find that even some of the large charitable organizations hurting. The Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals in Los Angeles laid off eight of its 55 employees. Dress for Success in New York reports losing a $1.5 million donation. Make-a-Wish Foundation in Cleveland used to bring in about $2,500 a day is now down to a few hundred a day. The annual AIDS walk in Washington, held Oct. 6 this year, raised $420,000 instead of the expected $1.2 million.

The United Way of Eastern Maine, on the other hand, is experiencing something of a backlash to the backlash: More than 100 people have called so far, according to Executive Director Jeff Wahlstrom, concerned that the giving in New York was hurting the giving in Bangor. Mr. Wahlstrom is happy to report that, so far anyway, the United Way is on track to meet its funding goal.

That is good news locally – United Way helps scores of worthy nonprofits throughout the region and deserves all the support it can get. Other charities clearly are not as fortunate but, with a looming recession, will need donations more than ever. They shouldn’t be forgotten in the laudable drive to help New York.