The staff at a local United Way office realized it had never received
a donation from the community's most successful psychiatrist.

The person in charge of contributions called him to try and persuade
him to contribute and said, "Our research shows that out of a yearly
income of at least $500,000+, you give not a penny to charity.
Wouldn't you like to give back to the community in some way?"

The psychiatrist mulled this over for a moment and replied, "First,
did your research also show that my mother is dying after a long
illness, and has medical bills that are several times her annual
income?"

Embarrassed, the United Way representative mumbled, "Um... No."

"Or," the psychiatrist continued, "that my brother, a disabled veteran,
is blind and confined to a wheelchair?"

The stricken United Way representative began to stammer out an
apology but was interrupted when the psychiatrist added, "Or that my
sister's husband died in a traffic accident?" the psychiatrist's voice
rising in indignation, "Leaving her penniless with three children?"

The humiliated United Way representative, completely beaten, said
simply, "I had no idea..........please forgive me......."

On a roll, the psychiatrist cut him off once again, "So if I don't give
any money to them, why should I give any to you?"