Conviction Over Cash

02 January, 2003--- Maj. Cleo Damon, head of the Salvation Army office in Naples, Florida, returned a check for $100,000 USD from a 71 year old benefactor. Damon said that the charitable organization would not take David L. Rush's money because the source of the funds was the Florida state lottery. And that's gambling. And that's bad.

In explaining the decision, spokeswoman Maribeth Shanahan echoed the principles of fruit of the poison tree and moral consistency. "There are times where Major Damon is counseling families who are about to become homeless because of gambling. He really believes that if he had accepted the money, he would be talking out of both sides of his mouth."

Mr. Rush called the rebuff of his generosity "sanctimonious," adding, "I respect the Salvation Army's decision. I do not agree with it, but that is their prerogative."

Agree or disagree with the decision, don't you admire the courage behind it?

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