Penn. Philanthropist to Give $1K For Each Jobless Worker Hired

NEWTOWN, Pa. (AP) — A suburban Philadelphia philanthropist who believes charity is a powerful incentive thinks he can help get Americans back to work one donation at a time.

Gene Epstein, 71, is promoting a $250,000 effort called Hire Just One, with plans to make $1,000 donations to charity in the name of businesses that hire an unemployed person and keep the worker on the payroll for at least six months.

Epstein, who amassed a personal fortune through car sales and real estate investments, has set aside his money for the first 250 hires — and thinks thousands more jobs could be created if others took on his idea, too.

“It’s an encouragement to businesses to not wait,” said Epstein, who thinks the incentive may be just enough to get small businesses over the hump to make a hire in tough economic times. “This becomes like an incredible stimulus program.”

The idea came to Epstein at his sprawling home in suburban Bucks County last month. He said he hopes his program will encourage businesses in the region and beyond to make hundreds of thousands of new hires they wouldn’t have otherwise made.

More than 100 businesses have expressed interest, Epstein said, but for the most part he plans to wait until the new employees have been on the payrolls for six months before he makes the donations. Only time will tell how effective the incentive may be.

Epstein, known for matching gifts for organ donations and other charitable programs, previously promoted a novel way to increase voluntary organ donor signups: $10,000 insurance payouts to each donor’s eventual beneficiary. He and his wife, Marlene, have a charitable fund that contributes to the Jewish National Fund, the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center and other causes.

“They are going to see that they need more employees,” said Epstein, a registered Republican who has donated money to both political parties. He said he believes his program is a good way to address unemployment without the need for government intervention.

One expert on small businesses said a charitable incentive might prove more effective at spurring discussion in the boardroom than in translating into new hires.

“The upside is small enough that it probably is going to have more effect in bringing the issue up than it is in actually getting people to hire people,” said Lawrence Gelburd, a lecturer at The Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania who teaches about entrepreneurship and works with small businesses. “That’s a pretty tough sell.”

When businesses submit qualifying paperwork, Epstein expects to donate to groups like the American Red Cross, the food program Philabundance, organ donor efforts and others. Despite his requirement that businesses keep workers on the payroll at least six months first, Epstein said he recently made an exception and sent $3,200 from the fund to go toward the Flight 93 memorial in western Pennsylvania.

Epstein said he has been choosing most of the charities that will get donations so far, but he is not against businesses choosing the charity themselves, as long as the charity is legitimate.

Several participating businesses said hearing about Epstein’s philanthropic promise helped to push them over the hump and move toward making new hires.

“We’re gun-shy like everybody else,” said Philip Chant, vice president of Chant Engineering in New Britain, Pa., which has fewer than 40 employees. “It spurred the conversation internally as to, ‘Hey, we should hire somebody.‘ That in turn got the conversation to ’Hey, we should hire more than one person.’”

The company ended up making four new hires, he said, estimating that Epstein’s program probably got the company to make the hires about six months before it would have otherwise.

Chant said he expects all the new employees to still be working there in six months. He does not know yet if they were all unemployed beforehand, as the program requires.

“If we qualify, that’s great,” Chant said.

The Greater Philadelphia Chamber of Commerce has briefly discussed Epstein‘s idea but isn’t sure how effective it will be in the long run, said spokesman Christopher Pinto.

It’s an innovative concept that Epstein is bringing to the table, he said, but there’s simply no way to know how well it could work at motivating businesses to hire in tough times.

An executive at a credit union said hearing about Epstein’s program did encourage him to finally move forward with hiring a social media coordinator.

“You need a driving force, someone to get us off the fence,” said T. Christian Roach, vice president at TruMark Financial Credit Union in New Britain, Pa., which has more than a dozen locations in the Philadelphia region.

But Roach said he wasn’t committed to hiring an unemployed worker.

“I’m just looking for the best candidate,” he said. “Hopefully, you put somebody to work.”

___

Online:

Hire Just One: http://www.hirejustone.org/

Comments (29)

  • JohnDoe
    Posted on October 19, 2010 at 7:21am

    Our great country was founded by and for the citizens of the thirteen colonies. It was designed to insure that a central government was controlled and limited by representatives of those citizens. It was given a limited amount of power, with many checks and balances, to secure the rights and freedoms for its citizens. They were making sure that an American Government would and could not become as Britian had. England enacted laws and taxes on their American subjects, but without allowing the colonies a say in their government. Ignoring the will of the people of America, they bullied and took away what limited rights they had and tried to force them to comply. Sound familiar? Yes, we don’t have to look far across the Atlantic at a despotic leader, we have only to look at the Oval Office in Washington, D. C. and to those whom we had entrusted the liberties of the people and the country. Our representatives, Senate and the House, are there to represent the will of the people. Instead, they have consistently lied to their constituents, both during campaigns and when in office. They have consistently robbed the American people, not only of their money, but also by stealing their liberties, little by little. The incumbent office holders allow themselves to be above the law, they allow themselves to steal by back-room corrupt deals and the like. They ignore the very people who put them in office, they even resort to passing laws, under cover of darkness. They hide laws and corrupt deals in the midst of thousand of pages of laws. This has always been a trick of unethical lawyers. Their mindset is to bog down any opposition by inudating them with mountains of paperwork. Then, they laugh and call the people stupid and ignorant, or worse! No doubt, I could go on and on. Their lack of character, morals and ethics makes them unfit to be employed anywhere, let alone entrusted with the security, freedom, and economic growth of this great country. They have taken your freedom to worship, especially targeting Christianity. They have tried to rewrite the American history, to further their agendas, just like the Moslems continue to do with Israel.

    Soon after deciding what sort of Government America was to become, that very question was asked of Benjamin Franklin. In reply Franklin said, “A Republic….if we can keep it”. This is a question that should be upon the lips of all true American patriots. If we can’t or more correctly, if we won’t, then we don’t deserve it. The choice is up to us, the American people, and the answer should be and must be yes we will!

    You’re probably asking how do we insure that we will keep this nation a free Republic. Oh, we voted for only those who promised no more taxes, no more spending, etc., etc. Of course they all were proven to be liars again (or should I have said they were just not quite forthcoming or perhaps they were a little disingenuious?). Then we did the “best of the two evils” choice. This was no different than the “Magician’s Choice” trick! We now know that there is no difference between Republicans and the Democrats when it comes to which is telling the truth. Neither has the best interest of America at heart, probably not even in mind! Their goal is simply to acquire power, money, more power and more money while doing and saying anything to remain in office.

    So what is the answer? They don’t listen when the people, overwhelmingly, protest and tries to voice their opposition. So the American people need to get their UNDIVIDED attention. How? WE THE PEOPLE, must vote any and all incumbents out of office. It doesn’t matter if they are better than most. If they haven’t been part of the solution, then they are part of the problem. THEY MUST KNOW AND WE MUST LET THEM KNOW THAT GOVERNMENT WILL NO LONGER BE RUN BY ROUGUE LAWYERS AND OPPORTUNISTS, PROGRESSIVES (AKA SOCIALISTS), ETC. THEY ARE NOTHING MORE THAN MODERN-DAY CARPETBAGGERS OR WANNA-BE DICTATORS. THEY MUST BE EDUCATED TO THE FACT THAT THEY WILL BE VOTED OUT AGAIN AND AGAIN, UNTIL THEY LEARN THAT OUR REPRESENTATIVES ARE NO LONGER ABLE TO RUN THEIR OWN VERISON OF CRIME, INC.
    AND THOSE THAT ARE ELECTED TO OFFICE, BUT CONTINUE TO DO WHAT IS BEST FOR THEIR OWN BENEFIT WILL SOON LEARN THEY WILL HAVE ONLY ONE TERM IN OFFICE.

    We, the people, need to lobby our newly elected representatives to enact new laws to insure ALL our freedoms, our security, etc. Enact laws that ethical or criminal behavior of representatives will be prosecuted swiftly and severly, with no possibility of any pardon…not by a state Governor nor by a President! Enact laws or amendments to limit a President to one term only, ensuring that any damage to our country will not be as damaging as is obvious with this Government. Further limit the terms of our Representatives, both in the Senate and the House. Imperative to limit the term of all Supreme Court Justices to no more than an eight year term and make an amendment that the justices can no longer re-interpret the Constitution, but uphold the laws as it was written and intended by the original framers.

    So, the bottom line is this: unless the American people get the undivided attention of those in government…when you and your family members are homeless and hungry or at the very least jobless…remember, you have only yourselves to blame.

    THE ONLY WAY TO INSURE THAT YOUR FUTURE REPRESENTATIVES WILL LISTEN TO ITS CONSTITUENTS IS VOTE OUT ALL INCUMBENTS!!! FROM THAT POINT ON, EACH REPRESENTATIVE MUST KNOW WE WILL VOTE THEM OUT AGAIN AND AGAIN UNTIL WE HAVE RESPONSIBLE REPRESENTATIVES THAT UNDERSTAND THEY ARE THERE FOR THE WILL OF THE PEOPLE.

    Report Post »  
  • ILFarmer
    Posted on October 19, 2010 at 12:52am

    if they are given jobs, aren’t they no longer jobless?
    meh, they can do whatever they want. hope they are doing it for the right reasons though.

    Report Post »  
  • pulpiteer
    Posted on October 18, 2010 at 2:20pm

    He did not come up with this…he copied me…I ahve been doing it for 7 months now…for a different reason…he is seeking publicity…I dont care if you are with us, you help …maybe not me but at your church……if your not helping our cause you hate our cause…publicity rarely helps ministry…usually hurts……way it is in Gods work…

    http://www.biblewritersassociation.org

    Report Post »  
  • Flagwaver
    Posted on October 18, 2010 at 2:09pm

    This is charity, not the government taking your money and giving it to the poor ACORN (or whatever they are calling themselves).

    Report Post » Flagwaver  
  • ritas725
    Posted on October 18, 2010 at 1:14pm

    The Seidel’s are great Americans! Generous with their own $. I LOVE that!

    Report Post »  
  • My Two Cents
    Posted on October 18, 2010 at 12:24pm

    Now mabye he could give $1,000.00 to each of my customers to spend in my store so I would have a reason to hire someone.

    This guy might have a good heart but he is clueless!!!

    Report Post »  
  • walkwithme1966
    Posted on October 18, 2010 at 12:19pm

    Oh way that won’t work……a bill in the Congress that would have give companies tax breaks for moving companies back to the states was stop by the Republicans!

    Report Post » walkwithme1966  
  • dlmcilvain
    Posted on October 18, 2010 at 11:48am

    This is nice but also speaks of the lack of knowledge of how our system works. This really is not much different than the governent offering a tax deduction for each worker hired. This just is not going to work. If you don’t have the money coming in to justify a new employee than you are just risking the future of your business.

    Report Post » dlmcilvain  
  • AmericanMomma
    Posted on October 18, 2010 at 11:31am

    So many people collecting unemployment refuse to take jobs because they get more on unemployment. Why work when you can get a hand out for free and sleep in everyday. Studies have shown that the unemployed get jobs shortly after the unemployment checks stop rolling in. Although I think its “nice” to “help” people…there’s only so much you can do before people need to start helping themselves!

    Report Post » AmericanMomma  
  • RightUnite
    Posted on October 18, 2010 at 11:21am

    Wow! How did he get as far as he did with that poor business acumen??

    Report Post »  
  • FANGS
    Posted on October 18, 2010 at 10:04am

    Wow, another elitest that doesn’t know anything about businesses. Myself nor any trades will hire until obama and the dems are GONE. Did you get that! No businesses have gotten any help from any stimulous program . All we’ve gotten is spit and demonized. We are using our kids and Wives on the job and only taking enough work to keep us fed. obama gone / jobs back. We will never forget.

    Report Post »  
  • DaddyKev
    Posted on October 18, 2010 at 9:34am

    I’ve been unemployed since I was laid off in December 2008. I‘ve since finished a structural engineering bachelor’s degree from a very good school to get out of the failing manufacturing field. I can’t even get an interview for an entry level job. Took our daughter out of daycare and am at home all of the time. This economy makes it downright depressing. Be thankful if you’re employed.

    Report Post » DaddyKev  
  • Comeandtakeit
    Posted on October 18, 2010 at 9:27am

    Good grief. I OWN a small business and am looking for ways to cut. If I COULD hire another employee I would also donate the 1k to charity myself. This guy may have his heart in the right place, but his head is in the clouds as to what is going on with small business. People are not hiring because they won’t- it is because they CAN’T.

    Report Post »  
    • IPFH
      Posted on October 18, 2010 at 10:10am

      this may be a good or bad idea, there are arguments on both sides however at least he is willing to try something, unlike our government…

      Report Post »  
  • LLATPOH
    Posted on October 18, 2010 at 9:26am

    I don’t want to nay-say it – it’s nice and all – but how does this affect the profits of a business?

    Owners don’t hire people to employ the unemployed. If that were so, everyone would have a job. They do it because there’s a purpose to hiring someone on.

    Here’s a sample “discussion” in a boardroom about this program…

    Person 1: “Did you hear that a philanthropist will give $1000 to charity if we hire a new person on?”
    Person 2: “We can barely pay the people we already employ, not to mention what’s going to happen when the tax cuts expire.”
    Person 1: “You’re right. Next topic.”

    Report Post »  
  • nosycophant
    Posted on October 18, 2010 at 9:20am

    So lame.

    Report Post »  
  • justsayin
    Posted on October 18, 2010 at 9:18am

    Nice gesture, to be sure, but this is an artificial and unsustainable. Jobs are created when business can make a healthy profit and not be burdened by overtaxing and overregulation. Period, end of story.

    Report Post » justsayin  
    • untameable-kate
      Posted on October 18, 2010 at 9:39am

      I don’t know how much blame you can lay at the feet of business for not hiring, I have had a help wanted sign on my work truck for over a month and not one person has come in to fill out an application. Sure it is just housecleaning but it is honest, steady work at decent pay. Guess folks would rather stay home and collect a govt check.

      Report Post » Untameable-kate  
    • USAMama
      Posted on October 18, 2010 at 10:19am

      I am encouraged any time I see individuals acting charitable, that is what makes America great. If it helps one person get a job, who does it hurt? There is no down side. He is getting people jobs, not just giving them food stamps, which is more then you can say for our gov’t.

      Report Post » USAMama  
    • M31Sailor
      Posted on October 18, 2010 at 10:37am

      Oh great

      Another Census More Obummer college students, wino’s, coming to my door saying
      Do you live here??

      Report Post » M31Sailor  
    • walkwithme1966
      Posted on October 18, 2010 at 12:18pm

      IT would make more sense if after they company hires someone that they need and keeps them for 3 months, that company get the $1000 as an bonus for hiring. http://wp.me/pYLB7-gd

      Report Post » walkwithme1966  
    • M31Sailor
      Posted on October 18, 2010 at 12:52pm

      Please Google Richard Blumenthal D Ct for his explanation of how and who creates jobs.

      This piece of crud, on at least 3 occasions, claimed to be a Vietnam Veteran

      The sad part is the Real Vietnam Vets who stood behind him, giving this LIAR, LIAR LIAR

      a pass. Linda McMahon should do an ad with over 50,000 slain Heroes from John Fitzgerald

      Kennedys War, pointing at Sue- Em-All calling him a Liar

      Pointing at Sue-Em-All Blumenthal,

      Report Post » M31Sailor  
  • We Are Not Alone
    Posted on October 18, 2010 at 9:12am

    MUST SEE:

    WE THE PEOPLE youtube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JVAhr4hZDJE

    Makes you proud to be an American

    Report Post » Want our country back  
    • RobertCA
      Posted on October 18, 2010 at 9:21am

      WOW Thanks

      Report Post » Robert-CA  
    • untameable-kate
      Posted on October 18, 2010 at 9:34am

      Thank you for that I am wiping tears out of my eyes as I write.

      Report Post » Untameable-kate  
    • snowleopard3200
      Posted on October 18, 2010 at 9:36am

      Jobs come not from charity – though the thought and concept are very nice at heart. They come from the stability of business leaders and owners being able to know where they stand at in regards to the future of taxes and expenditures. Right now that is on shaky earth in the middle of an hurricane with the first rumblings of an epic scale earthquake coming – thanks to Mr Obama and the Progressives in the government.

      Until this mess is straightened out our country will be on shaky economic grounds for some time, yet the American spirit is such we WILL make it through, and we WILL become GREATER than we were ever before.

      Dream your dreams and have the courage to try for it; if anything else, you can say you made the effort instead of wondering “what if?”

      http://www.artinphoenix.com/gallery/grimm (mix art)

      Report Post » Snowleopard {gallery of cat folks}  
    • lbsm
      Posted on October 18, 2010 at 12:56pm

      Man…i really needed that!!! Thank you so much!

      Report Post » lbsm  
    • DimmuBorgir
      Posted on October 18, 2010 at 1:44pm

      That‘s nice and all but it doesn’t help if a company already is maxed out on the ammount of employees they can hire.

      Report Post » DimmuBorgir  
    • M31Sailor
      Posted on October 18, 2010 at 1:56pm

      As of 10/15/2009:per the Obummer Admin

      !6 Billion in Stimulus Dollars Given out

      30,383 Jobs Created

      $71,500.00 Per job created?

      I just hired myself. Where do I send for the 71,500 from Obummer and the grand from Mr Epstein

      Report Post » M31Sailor  

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