If there was a good time for a nonprofit to accept donations, that time is now.

Despite the current recession, it apparently isn’t that time for the Make-A-Wish Foundation, which this month turned away proceeds from a bikini car wash in Federal Way. As long as the money didn’t come from an illegal source, does it really matter? A group of women washing cars in their bikinis to raise money isn’t against the law. Nonprofit organizations that depend on donations from the public, like Make-A-Wish, should never turn away legal donations, especially when the economy is struggling.

The Make-A-Wish Foundation reportedly didn’t want to accept money from any activity that could be perceived as offensive to the families they are helping. If a family is denied a wish for their dying child because of lack of funds, just to find out the organization is turning away donations based on its own futile haughtiness, chances are fingers aren’t going to be pointed at the bikini-clad women. Go to the local lake or even most coffee stands and you’ll see exactly what you’d find at this public car wash. They are just bikinis.

The organization states on its Web site, “We are thankful to the many caring individuals, companies and organizations whose support allows us to continue our important wish granting mission.”

Perhaps a disclaimer should be added at the end that states, “except for those we think are inappropriate.” Wouldn’t want any confusion on the guidelines needed to give money away to complete strangers.

The $3,500 from the bikini car wash would have been a generous donation. But it’s just money right? It grows on trees.