EveryBob

When the rich or famous write a big check to preserve some endangered natural area or construct some grand new building, they earn the public’s gratitude. They also often get their name attached to the resulting good work for all eternity.

Walk around any university campus and you’ll notice that buildings are named after people; it should come as no surprise that often they result from a sizable financial gift.

However, when good deeds are financed by a large number of small contributions from individuals, the donors don’t receive the same recognition. So how can we recognize and encourage those individual contributions? I would like to suggest a solution. But first let me tell you a little about the Carpinteria Bluffs.

The bluffs constitute one of the largest remaining coastal open spaces along Santa Barbara County’s south coast, just north of the Ventura County line. In addition to sweeping panoramas, the bluffs are home to many animal species and overlook one of the few remaining California harbor seal rookeries. The effort to preserve these 52 acres of stunning natural beauty is being spearheaded by Citizens for the Carpinteria Bluffs, a nonprofit corporation.

So what is my strategy for raising enough money to buy the bluffs and provide the public recognition that the ordinary person deserves?

I propose that everyone named Bob contribute $10 toward the purchase of the bluffs. We would quickly have the necessary funds to obtain this spectacular property. If we reached the goal of $1 million, the bluffs could be named Bob’s Bluffs.

Yes, we might have to go outside Santa Barbara and Ventura counties to achieve this goal. In fact, we might have to reach out around the world through the Internet. But maybe together we could solve this locally.

Consider this: If you are not a Bob, surely you must know a Bob. Please, humor me for a moment. It is common for charitable donations to be made in memory of another who has passed away, or in recognition of a friend or loved one. Those of us with limited means seldom have an opportunity to make a charitable gift that results in a public remembrance of that person. This would be just that opportunity to recognize the Bobs you know or have known.

But what about those of you who are not named Bob, have never loved a Bob or, even more unfortunate, have never been lucky enough to know a Bob?

I offer you this to consider: Bob (including Robert, Rob and Roberta) is a familiar name. It is so well-known that it can be said to represent the common person. When you think about it, we are all Bobs. Generally, we do not receive recognition for our individual charitable gifts. However, together we can contribute $1 million and have the bluffs named in recognition of our gift: Bob’s Bluffs.

Thus, I challenge each person to donate $10. This is a unique opportunity to preserve this beautiful property overlooking the Pacific Ocean.

If you are not a Bob and do not yet know a Bob, keep this in mind: You never know if someday you will have a child or grandchild named Bob, and wouldn’t it be wonderful to take them for a walk on their bluffs?