Going All The Way For Charity

I’m a giver.

I always have been, and I suspect I always will be.

I give my time, my energy, my money. I help out friends. I have given plasma (sure, that was when I needed money to buy my second semester books and pizza, but it still helped someone else). I adopt Salvation Army angels at Christmas. I buy canned food with no intent of them ever seeing the inside of my pantry. I rack up more carpool miles in a single soccer week than an Indy driver on Memorial Day weekend. I give to UNICEF, the Red Cross, Youssif, Jack the Dog, and always try to push special cases to the fore so that others are aware and can help too.

I like giving, helping. Maybe it’s because I know how incredibly lucky I am. I lead a very comfortable life. Maybe it’s because it just plain feels good to help other people.

And maybe, like Earl, it’s because I am a firm believer that if you put good karma out, eventually the universe will drop some of it back on you – kind of like karmic bird poop, only it doesn’t stain..

So I give, often till it hurts. Sometimes it’s misconstrued as a chronic inability to say No, but that’s OK. I can live with the self inflicted "wounds" of being over-busy. If I can say Yes, I will.

That being said, I have recently discovered that perhaps I am not as open minded to the charity process as I thought.

I may be willing to open my heart, wallet, home, and vehicle, but one thing you will not find me opening is ... my legs.

Meet Maria Carolina of Chile.

Maria is a prostitute. With a heart (and kootch apparently) of gold.

Inspired by a two day "Teleton" fundraiser for Chile’s largest charity – one much like the long running Jerry Lewis affair – this one is also endorsed by television stars and aims to raise funds for poor, disabled children – Maria decided to auction off ... love.

Well, the physical portion anyway.

Yes, Maria auctioned off 27 hours of sex, raising $4,000 in the process, all of which she donated to the charity telethon.

Maria, who has become a celebrity of sorts, making the rounds on talk shows and in news headlines, defended her unusual fun raising (sorry, funD raising) scheme, "There are people who are going to be donating money that's a lot more questionable than mine. The only thing I did was publicize it."

Of one of her clients who generously opened his wallet (and pants), Maria says, "It seemed like a good deed to him."

Yes, Maria, I’m sure he was bursting with, um... pride...at his donation. Talk about giving till it squirts – whoa, sorry – I meant hurts.

Telethon official, Mario Kreutzberger, said he would not encourage "immoral" activities, but said he would accept her pledge.

After all, prostitution is legal in Chile, so it’s not truly dirty money, right?  Hand out, hand job...to-may-to, to-mah-to...

Ah well, to each his/her own.   I'm certainly not judging.  We should all give what our time and talents allow us to give to our fellow man, or in her case, men.

But as for me? I think I’ll just keep driving carpool.  The only thing I have to "pump" that way, is gas.

Comments

[Tracy]

It may seem odd to you and I, but if it is legal in Chile, and she is going to do it anyway, at least she is making a contribution. That's more than you can say for alot of people.
She is probably giving until it hurts (sorry, I just had to say it).

[Frankie]

I'm just impressed at her hourly rate. I wonder how many different encounters = 27 hours.

[Trish]

Well, they say, "do what you're good at". I do not know who "they" is or are but, if thats what she's good at, and wants to help, more power to her. She's using her skills to help out and the organiztion most certainly will not deny the donation, so its "win, win" for everybody.

[Kelly in PA]

Well, at least she is giving!! And giving... and giving... and giving.... LOL!!!

[Lori in Texas]

I'm with Tracy on this. It's legal, and she's using her "talents" for the greater good. I have to admire that, to be honest. Lots of people donate their services to charity, and if this is what she can do, as one person, to make a difference in the world, then good for her!

[Tracy]

Now if we can get "Just Jack" to make a calendar, I think we can ALL make a contribution. =)

[haileysmom / Jamie in Wisconsin]

Look at the return she gets for that deposit! =)

[Kristi in NC]

Oh, you guys are baaaad. ~$148.00 per hour is certainly more than I bring home from the 9 to 5. I'm with the most of you that it's not illegal and she's making a contribution and all. BUT I'm with Linda on the "NOT for ME!" Legal or not, it would take a hell of a lot more than ~$148.00 per hour for me to provide that type of "service" for charity or any other reason! Wow.