There was something about this story which resonated with
Mack-line.
A new website lets people donate to charity the money they
would have spent on say, that $US44.50 jersey from Gap, or
the $US250,000 his and hers ICON aircraft that Neiman Marcus
is selling this year.
BRAC USA, the American arm of a Bangladeshi development and
aid organisation started the site - www.whatididnotbuy.org - on
Thursday two weeks ago.
By noon on Friday, 89 people had contributed about $US500
using the site, forgoing items such as a blender, Champagne
and power tools.
"What we're trying to do is emphasise how much you could help
accomplish with an amount of money that you might otherwise
spend on something you or someone else might not really want
or need."
BRAC USA president Susan Davis said.
Lucy Bernholz, a nonprofit and philanthropic consultant, was
quoted online as seeing the site as a reaction to the growth
of embedded giving in which companies promise to donate part
of the proceeds from the sale of specific items.
Churches often exhort their members to curtail consumption
during the holidays and instead spend more on the needy.
This year, Mack-line has received more email Christmas cards
than the traditional snail mail varieties.
Treasury, the New Zealand Institute of Economic Research and
Microsoft New Zealand managing director Kevin Ackhurst are
among the people sending electronic cards.
Some of those are using the savings to spend on charitable
giving.
Business New Zealand chief executive Phil O'Reilly sent a
letter to say his organisation was encouraging members to
give to charity this year.
Jennifer Buffett, president of the NoVo Foundation, one of
BRAC's biggest supporters, told the New York Times the
foundation had decided to use e-cards and donate the $US350
it spent on paper cards last year to support three teachers
in southern Sudan.
The foundation's seven-member staff also decided instead of
buying one another Secret Santa gifts, they would put money
toward projects described on the new site.
Mrs Buffett, the daughter-in-law of billionaire investor
Warren Buffett, said she was excited about the site.
So is Mack-line.
However, just a word of warning.
Symantec, the maker of Norton security products, said there
had been no recession for retail spam.
The top 10 seasonal spam subject lines observed last week
were:
(1) Sales receipt from Amazon.
(2) Sales order from walmart.com.
(3) Incredible sale for luxury goods.
(4) Re: what she wants for Christmas.
(5) Giver her luxury this holiday season.
(6) Bling yourself up this Christmas.
(7) Get the perfect gift for Christmas.
(8) Impress your friends this holiday season.
(9) Xmas online cookies.
(10) Time limited Christmas promotion.
If buying or donating online, please check the legitimacy of
the site.
Merry Christmas.
