Turner's donation sets good example
By Doug Williamson / Abilene Reporter-News
Ted Turner is giving $1 billion to charities.
Billionaire Ted looked at his financial statement and found that his deal with Time Warner had upped his net worth to $3.2 billion this year. That job as vice chairman of the media conglomerate must pay well.
From the generosity of his heart, probably along with some heavy prodding by wife Jane, Ted announced his gift Thursday.
Afterward, he told Larry King (on CNN, of course), "I'm only giving up nine months' earnings. It's not that big a deal. I'm no more poorer than I was nine months ago, and the world is a lot better off."
I think a lot of folks believe that business owners on a greedy-to-generous scale generally fall much closer to the greedy end. That is especially true when employees are talking about their employers.
Generally, they are wrong.
Look around town and see who is serving on the boards of our 200-plus non-profit agencies. Most of them are filled with business folks, not just owners, but management and front-line employees alike.
Employers let the volunteer board members take time off, use the company phone system, make copies and the like.
Look at the United Way of Abilene. A couple of dozen loaned executives will spend 500 hours this year, coordinating much of the footwork of the fund-raising campaign. Three dozen businesses opened their doors for the pre-campaign Trailblazer program. That gives the United Way a head start.
Companies make financial contributions to the United Way, but many times the donations from their workers are the heartbeat of the campaign.
Look at the Abilene branch of First National Bank of Baird. Officials have paved the way for a potential $100,000 contribution to United Way.
The bank has commissioned a painting by Texas historical artist George Hallmark. It will depict downtown Abilene in the 1920s.
The original will hang in the bank lobby on South First, but limited edition prints and artist's proofs will be sold to benefit the United Way.
Scotty Lindley, senior vice president of the bank, said there will be 1,000 signed and numbered prints and 100 proofs. The prints will be 20-by-26 inches. The entire proceeds will go to United Way.