Phianthropist’s generosity a great inspiration

The customary joy and good cheer associated with this season have been in short supply as the COVID-19 pandemic has dealt a significant blow to so many traditions.

There’s no denying the tremendous challenges all of us are facing, but the good news is that they haven’t stopped people from engaging in one of the most important Christmas traditions of all: acts of charity.

Throughout our region there have been fundraising efforts and programs to help people in need and spread some holiday joy. Our newspaper has featured plenty of stories describing these great activities.

But if accounts of many smaller-scale acts of generosity aren’t enough to buoy your spirits, perhaps the story of MacKenzie Scott will.

Scott, the ex-wife of Amazon founder Jeff Bezos, made national news this month by announcing that she was issuing a staggering $4.1 billion in grants spread out to hundreds of organizations around the country. We were thrilled to learn that some great causes in our region are among the beneficiaries, getting a tremendous infusion of cash at a moment when their services are so badly needed and donations harder to come by.

The United Way of Berks County is among the charities getting help from Scott. The philanthropist donated $10 million to the organization, which distributes money to a wide variety of local causes. Just imagine what a great difference that can make in so many local lives. Scott’s gift is about the same amount that the local United Way raised in its entire annual campaign.

The United Way of Greater Philadelphia and Southern New Jersey also received a sizable gift from Scott. Other charities in the region receiving major donations include Goodwill Keystone Area, Easterseals Southeastern Pennsylvania, the Community First Fund and the Greater Philadelphia YMCA.

Lincoln University in Chester County received $20 million as part of Scott’s broader effort to support historically Black colleges and universities.

And the national operations of Feeding America and Meals on Wheels received donations as well. Both have many local offshoots that do crucial work at fighting hunger in our communities.

Scott did an excellent job of identifying organizations that can provide immediate support for people suffering in today’s economic crisis as well as those addressing long-term systemic inequities that have been worsened by the impact of COVID-19.

Officials with local organizations receiving the funds were right to have pledged to think carefully about the best strategies for putting Scott’s donations to work. Tempting though it may be to just pour the money into daily operations, donations of this size are best deployed with care, ideally in a manner that can be sustained. After all, it’s unlikely these organizations will ever see such a windfall again. It’s imperative that they take maximum advantage.

What’s also crucial is that people who don’t have billions, millions or even thousands of dollars to give away take the right message from Scott’s remarkable generosity. The causes that the philanthropist is supporting still need local donations and support. It would be tragic if people assumed that Scott’s actions relieve them of responsibility to help the causes that aid our community, Without ongoing support from local people, her efforts cannot have the anticipated impact.

Indeed, Scott made her intention clear in her announcement. The goal is to not only support good works directly through her donations but to inspire others to make a commitment to help, even if they’re not wealthy.

“If you’re craving a way to use your time, voice, or money to help others at the end of this difficult year, I highly recommend a gift to one of the thousands of organizations doing remarkable work all across the country,” she wrote in her announcement of the gifts. “Every one of them could benefit from more resources to share with the communities they’re serving. And the hope you feed with your gift is likely to feed your own.”

Take that message to heart this holiday season and you just find, and spread, the kind of joy that’s been so elusive lately.