Dave Tompkins Was Up Late One Night Watching a Television

Essay

Dave Tompkins was up late one night watching a television campaign for a charitable organization. The organization was seeking donations in order to construct a new building that would serve as the organization's headquarters. One of Tomkins' favorite performers appeared to promote the campaign, and this prompted Dave to telephone in a pledge. Tomkins pledged $10,000 to the charity and, feeling good about his action, finally went to sleep. The next morning, Tomkins regretted making the pledge because its enforcement would cause great personal financial hardship. Will the charity be able to legally enforce the pledge Tomkins made? If so, why might the charity choose not to enforce a lawful pledge?