Denver gamble may have stunning payoff for U.S. charity

Americans love to congratulate each other on their generousgiving to charity and how much they volunteer their time to everycause from the Little League to manning soup kitchens.

Toss in a grain of salt before you swallow all claims at facevalue. In 1985, we did contribute, as individuals, $66 billion, plusuntold millions of volunteer hours. Yet all but $12.5 billion of thecash went to our churches, and it's anyone guess how much ofecclesiastical budgets, is targeted to the needy.

For actual priorities, check out what we spent on alcohol - $53billion; on cigarettes and other tobacco - $31 billion; onlotteries - $12 billion; on deodorants - $1 billion; and pizza …