The Problem with Causewashing: When Events Exploit Goodwill for Profit in Polk County Texas

From colorful crawfish boils to country music lineups, small-town events can feel like the heart of the community—bringing people together and raising money for causes that matter.

But what happens when that cause is more decoration than donation?

Take a recent event ad for the “Small-Town Throw-Down” in Livingston, TX. It prominently displays the phrase “Raising a Hand for Rett Syndrome”, suggesting some sort of benefit or fundraiser. Yet nowhere in the promotion does it state that money is being raised, where it’s going, or how much (if any) will reach families impacted by Rett Syndrome.

What it does make very clear is that there’s a Crawfish Boil and Picnic “for everyone.” Sounds generous, right? Until you find out that the crawfish is being sold, not served. So the heartwarming message quickly becomes a marketing ploy: evoke empathy, earn trust, and profit from the goodwill.

This isn’t a rare practice. It’s called causewashing—when brands or events slap a cause on their promotions to look charitable while doing little or nothing meaningful for the issue.

Here’s the bottom line: If you’re using a medical condition to sell tickets, food, or brand awareness, the public deserves transparency. Where are the donations going? How much of the profits are being donated? Are families impacted by the cause involved in any way?

Until those questions are answered, don’t call it “support.” Call it what it is: opportunism.