File this under General Chatter:
Several weeks ago, between all the other solicitations, bills (and other unmentionables encased in plain brown paper wrapping) I found a bulk rate post card asking for a donation in my mailbox.
There were two things that made one piece of solicitous junk mail memorable:
- The fact that it was an organization devoted to preventing head injuries.
Head injury prevention is not, in and of itself, on my list of memorable topics. What made it stand out was the fact that 2 days prior, I was cited by a cop for allowing my 6 & 8 year old to go helmet-less on one of our Sunday bike rides to the nature preserve.
and - The name of the foundation:
The Humpty Dumpty Memorial Collection Association
{For The Reduction Of Traumatic Brain Injuries To Children And Adults}
Now I’ll be the first to admit, this isn’t exactly fodder for a thread on the SDMB.
To be honest with you, it wouldn’t have – had it not been for the fact I heard their first ever radio spot in the car on the way home from work this evening.
I’m not the most serious or sensitive person around, nor have I ever purported to be. I pretty much follow the old ‘live and let live philosophy’. I can’t even recall the last time I was offended. Don’t get me wrong, I’m not saying I gasped in horror at their foundation name. I just think it’s stupid - stupid to the point of being moronic. I’d go so far as to say whoever dreamed up this little ditty must have worked for the same ad agency that brought us 1-800-CUCUMBER.
I’m not calling for a change in name (this definitely doesn’t rise to the level of offending even the most PC amongst us).
[Howard Beale]I don’t want you to protest, I don’t want you to write to your Congressman…Cause I wouldn’t know what to tell you to write[/Howard Beale]
Other then the loss of a close friend back about 10 years ago in a hit-and-run motorcycle accident (he was helmeted anyway), I’ve never been personally affected when it comes to the topic of head injuries. No one I’ve ever known has suffered such trauma.
(On preview, I think I’ll insert the disclaimer for those who’ve read my posts and feel a need to argue the point: Keep your wisecracks to yourself!)
I’ll concede the fact using corny name is a more memorable and wiser then being bland. I wouldn’t be surprised to learn the Humpty moniker has actually been in asset when it comes to the raising of donations. But nothing’s gonna convince me it’s a great name for a 501©(3). Besides, wasn’t Humpty Dumpty a literary eumphimism for the King of England - who ended up beheaded?
I mean what’s next?
[ul][]The Old Woman in the Shoe Foundation for the Elimination of Child Poverty?[]The Jack & Jill Association to Combat Skiing Accidents[]The Tom Tucker Alliance to End Hunger[]The Rock-A-Bye Baby Fund For Safer Cribs[]The Dr. Foster Charity to Prevent Drowning[]The Georgie Porgie Date Rape Crisis Center[/ul]