To the editor:

I am privileged to be associated with many nonprofit organizations in Lawrence, by virtue of being on their boards or merely an active participant in one way or another. On numerous occasions I have had the pleasure of calling on businesses around town to donate either money or items for auction for these very worthy organizations. I have found Lawrence area businesses to be universally supportive of local organizations. Some of these businesses donate thousands each year to nonprofits.

Recently, however, a downtown clothing store rudely refused when asked to donate an item they routinely give away to shopping customers, for the gift baskets for new Jewish families in town. While asking the manager if he would be interested in donating a coupon for this item, out of the corner of my eye, I caught another employee vigorously shaking her head and mouthing “NO.” I left the store wondering if this was anti-Semitism or just a store badly out of step with the giving nature of this town. Either way, it is a sad demonstration of this store’s business ethics.

Thank you to all the stores and businesses who give so generously. Businesses who give so much, get business (and good karma) in return. As for the downtown clothing store, if you had merely given a coupon for this item, you could have gained valuable new customers, and if they hadn’t used the coupon, you would have been out nothing, AND gotten some free positive publicity! At this point, you are the loser.

Diane Whitten,
Lawrence