A local United Way office realized that the organization had never received a donation from the town's most successful lawyer. The person in charge of contributions called him to try to persuade him to donate.
"Our research shows that you, with an annual income of at least $500,000, have never given a penny to charity. Wouldn't you like to donate and make a contribution to the community?"
The lawyer mulled this over for a moment, "Did your research also show you that my mother is dying from an illness and her medical bills are several times that of her annual income?"
Embarrassed,the United Way representative says, "Um... no."
The lawyer interrupts, "Did it tell you that my brother, who is a disabled veteran, is blind and in a wheel chair?"
The stricken United Way representative tries to stammer out an apology, but is interrupted again.
"How about the fact that my sister's husband died in a traffic accident, leaving her penniless with three children?"
The humiliated United Way representative, completely defeated, simply says, "I had no idea..."
On a roll, the lawyer cuts him off one more time, "So... if I don't give THEM any money, why would I give any to you?"