The Giving Pledge Project

What great news!  I've prayed for this to happen for many years (that the rich would share their enormous wealth with the less fortunate). So when I read the following article on Daily Finance I was overjoyed! The article titled, "Hearts of Gold: Forty Billionaires Pledge to Give Bulk of Wealth to Charity" by Carrie Coolidge describes how Warren Buffet, CEO of Berkshire Hathaway and his friends and co-founders of this project, Bill and Melinda Gates, started a charitable project called, "The Giving Pledge." This amazing, long-term charitable project targets billionaires to pledge to donate the bulk of their wealth to philanthropic causes. Already 40 of America's wealthiest families and individuals have signed on and agreed to "give a majority of their money to charitable organizations, either during their lifetime or after their death." New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg has already signed on to the project. 

A few months ago I saw a TV special which highlighted the friendship and vision of both Warren Buffet and Bill Gates. They spoke about their friendship and how they wanted to use their money and resources to help the less fortunate and bring positive change to the world. I was so impressed with their vision and their desire to use their money for good causes, such as to eliminate starvation and find the cure for diseases. 

Apparently, they brainstormed and came up with this idea to convince wealthy people (who have more money than they could ever possibly spend in a lifetime) to give away at least half of their wealth. It's a brilliant idea. It can make a real difference for the future of humankind. Perhaps diseases will be cured,  hunger will lessen or be eliminated in third world countries, perhaps the people of Haiti (and other poor countries) will one day live in real houses (instead of tents) and have an opportunity for a better life. There is no telling how much good and positive change can occur from this noble project. 

It gives me hope for a better tomorrow for humankind. To view the list of names of those who have contributed to this cause, go to:   http://givingpledge.org/

Hopefully their good example and witness will encourage others to do the same.

NJA