The United Way realized that it had never received a donation from the
>city's most successful lawyer. So a United Way volunteer paid the
>lawyer a visit in his lavish office.
>
>The volunteer opened the meeting by saying, 'Our research shows that
>even though your annual income is over two million dollars, you don't
>give a penny to charity. Wouldn't you like to give something back to
>your community through the United Way?'
>
>The lawyer thinks for a minute and says, 'First, did your research also
>show you that my mother is dying after a long, painful illness and she
>has huge medical bills that are far beyond her ability to pay?'
>
>Embarrassed, the United Way rep mumbles, 'Uh... no, I didn't know
that.'
>
>'Secondly,' says the lawyer, ' did it show that my brother, a disabled
>veteran, is blind and confined to a wheelchair and is unable to support
>his wife and six children?'
>
>The stricken United Way rep begins to stammer an apology, but is cut
>off again.
>
>'Thirdly, did your research also show you that my sister's husband died
>in dreadful car accident, leaving her penniless with a mortgage and
>three children, one of whom is disabled and another that has learning
>disabilities requiring an array of private tutors?'
>
>The humiliated United Way rep, completely beaten, says, 'I'm so sorry,
>I had no idea.'
>
>And the lawyer says, " So...
if I didn't give any money to them, what makes you think
I'd give any to you

"