Thinking of forming my own charity. The Nigelski Memorial Fund. 50% of all revenue will go towards getting cancers like Kovalev traded, via secret payoffs to other team owners, so they’ll take him and any future disturbances off our hands. The other 50% will go for administration costs, and to provide me with a better lifestyle. One befitting the behind the scenes man who’ll make it all happen. Free boat tethers to the first 100 donators.

Those interested in donating should have their heads examined.

Still want to help? Call 1-800-782-5377.

I am serious. The last thing I’d want to do is hurt anyones feelings. My point is, there are tonnes of charities already dealing with any number of worthy causes. I could create my own charity for drug abusers or suicidal thinkers. Why? My brother died of a heroin OD, and my dad killed himself. I don’t have the Gainey fame to back me, so it would likely fall on deaf ears.

Why didn’t I make such a charity, regardless? Because there are already thousands of Foundations that deal with these things. Worthy and trusted organizations where my donations would get to those in need of the money. When we start forming charities that have no real focus, the money gets diverted and loses its umph. I also have no need to aggrandize my own name in such a manner.

Sheena’s Place here in Toronto was named after Sheena, a woman who died from an eating disorder All proceeds fund a house where women with these issues can go to get help. Places such as these are the backbone of the kind of necessary work to be done in our society.

A charity for art, education and the environment doesn’t exactly inspire me. Such vague and elusive goal oriented charities only serve to take the cash away from more altruistic and far more necessary foundations. Like the Heart and Stroke Foundation as one example.

I’d have been far more impressed with a public donation to the Cancer Society(in the memory of his deceased wife), coupled with an effort to increase public awareness about boating safety. Through government advertisements, lectures, or such.

All too often, million dollar current and former athletes form charities in their own name, and ask their fans to support their causes. The irony is, they have the money to effect real change more than any thousand of us.

Additionally, special interest groups get their hands on a staggering amount of charity funds. Especially in the fields this charity has been designed to support. There is no knowing if that will be the case, but as I said, there are plenty of established charities that accomplish the same goals as set out by the Gainey foundation; and they have proven track records of success.

It’s self serving, in my mind. If that’s classless, than I guess I am.