Red Cross

[schmita]

Honestly,
I know alot of you are going to be upset with me but I just can't take this any longer.
http://www.amerrescue.org/red_cross.htm#ltrs1

I hope I did that right. If not maybe a someone can make it clickable.
I have lots of sites like this one. Prisons, foreign etc.

I have no respect for the Red Cross. They prey on us all to give and we do because the American people are generous. But when you see them spend the money on themselves and fundraising, it breaks my heart.

I am one that did not get immediate aid from the American Red Cross after a major disaster.
Only when the NY media got a hold of their behavior did they change, but not much really.

The New York Times Sunday magazine did a blistering piece on them post September 11th and I didn't save it. Am trying to find it now.

irina

[schmita]

Red Cross Defends Use of September 11 Donations

Facing scathing criticism from members of Congress in a hearing on Tuesday, American Red Cross president Bernadine Healy defended her organization's decision to withhold more than $200 million in donations intended for the families of victims of the September 11 terrorist attacks, the New York Times reports.

Members of the Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigation of the House Committee on Energy criticized the relief agency's plan to set aside some $264 million of the $564 million it has raised since September 11 to bolster its strategic blood reserve and create an emergency fund for use in the event of future terrorist attacks.

Barstow, David. “In Congress, Harsh Words for Red Cross.” New York Times 11/07/01.

“Independent Sector Calls for New Level of Public-Private Collaboration, More Time.” Independent Sector Press Release 11/08/01.

Flaherty, Mary. “Red Cross Defends Use Of Donations.”

[schmita]

What is wrong with you guys? Isn't anyone going to challenge me?
Ridiculous.
Give your money to another charity.
irina

[ROCK]

What is wrong with you guys? Isn't anyone going to challenge me?
Ridiculous.
Give your money to another charity.
irina

I should have said beware of the troll!!!

[schmita]

What is wrong with you guys? Isn't anyone going to challenge me?
Ridiculous.
Give your money to another charity.
irina

I should have said beware of the troll!!!

What troll? I post here. I am not challenging you? I am speaking from experience.

Interesting. Why do you think I am a troll? I post my name and my coordinates?
irina

[Persepone]

There are other organizations to donate to besides the Red Cross.

I personally have had family and friends with dismal experiences with the Red Cross, but good experiences with the Salvation Army. Others may have different experiences.

If you do donate to the Red Cross, be sure to write on your check that it is for Katrina Relief so that it does not go into their "general fund." It is true that if you do not do this, it may be put in their "general fund."

Of course there is an argument that their general fund is necessary to keep up the level of their services so that they "are" there for all the emergencies they care called to.

I think that charities are very personal and people's experiences with charities differ, so it is important to give to the charity that YOU choose. There are others besides the Red Cross who are legitimate charities, where your donations go in various percentages, directly toward relief of the immediate situation, and so forth.

Also, beware of people who solicit YOU--there are, unfortunately, dishonest people out there and bogus websites, etc. You should go to the Red Cross/Salvation Army/other charity's site directly--not respond to e-mails that purport to be from the Red Cross/Salvation Army, etc. Same goes for telephone solicitiations, etc. Check it out before you donate, regardless of which charity you choose.

[Skywatch_NC]

Or give to your church's hurricane relief fund

Eric

[Miss Mary]

Or give directly to a family relocating to your area. That is what we are doing. A displaced family is moving to my community and they need everything. My daughter's HS is collecting gift cards, donations, items, to set up their new home and buy the student(s) school supplies. I know of one child who will be in 10th Grade. I think we can trust this source - our district's high school.

Switching topics.....
Heard a good piece on the radio this morning on how to tell if a site is a scam or not. Scammers can copy and paste websites like the Red Cross but changing a few letters/numbers in the URL and the money goes to them, not the RC. This expert advised you go to a very large website, that you know you can trust - a local newspaper or radio station. If they provide a charity link, you can trust it. Also when entering your credit card info, look for an "S" behind the http....for example, you should see https.....the s means it is a secure and no one else (scammers) will get your CC #.

Finally this expert said another way to donate is to choose a very large company, that will match your donation. For example Lowe's is doing this. He said just go to Lowe's donate your amount, they will match it. Your original $50 donation is now $100 and it's legit.

Mary

[Dee Bee]

For example Lowe's is doing this. He said just go to Lowe's donate your amount, they will match it. Your original $50 donation is now $100 and it's legit.

Mary

Similarly, if you live in Palm Beach County FL, Duffy's [a popular sports bar/restaurant chain] will match any Red Cross hurricane relief donation you add to your bill. They'll also give you a printed receipt. You can't beat getting out of the kitchen for Happy Hour, wings, and a burger with friends PLUS helping the storm victims at the same time!

[alicia-w]

I worked in a red cross office this weekend and was stunned at the lack of information and even less coordination. there were several paid employees sitting around yacking while the volunteers did the work. there was very little organization and as much information available.

i had also heard some less than favorable things about the ARC regarding the fires in So Cal several years ago. There were several TV magazine pieces about that. Very little of the money has gone to individuals in need.

[schmita]

Yes,
It's the paid employees I was referring to, not the volunteers. The volunteers do a great job.

irina

[JenBayles]

I worked in a red cross office this weekend and was stunned at the lack of information and even less coordination. there were several paid employees sitting around yacking while the volunteers did the work. there was very little organization and as much information available.

i had also heard some less than favorable things about the ARC regarding the fires in So Cal several years ago. There were several TV magazine pieces about that. Very little of the money has gone to individuals in need.

Not surprised at all - that's been my (and several friends') experience just on the phone. We finally decided the RC wasn't worth the waste of time and effort. As I recall, their performance after TS Allison that flooded Houston was less than stellar.

[Miss Mary]

I've read so many topics here at S2K, many on the Aftermath forum. One man is a 9/11 survivor, lives in NYC. He described what it was like after 9/11 and what help they received. I wish I could remember the topic or member name. He said he hated to admit this, but the Red Cross wasn't that helpful. And mentioned several other agencies that went above and beyond (Salavation Army maybe?). Anyone remember his name...

Mary

[schmita]

I have been posting here as a 9/11 survivor....and my frustration with the Red Cross. Could that be me?
I'm a girl though
irina

[weathermom]

My dad had similar experiences 50 years ago during the Waterbury floods in CT. Said the Red Cross was useless and the Salvation Army was helpful. Sounds like things haven't changed that much.

[GalvestonDuck]

Well, if people have a problem with the Red Cross, don't go to the Red Cross. Go to the Salvation Army.

And don't forget FEMA and the Red Cross are not the same thing.

[streetsoldier]

My own experiences with the Red Cross, as a FEMA Director and as a CAP SAR Commander are less than happy ones...they have a tendency to "take over" HQs, comshacks and space which was already set up, yet do nothing but wait around ("professional" staffers). Their volunteers are very helpful, but many times they had to come to US for some direction as to what to do.

The Salvation Army, on the other hand, are "out there" immediately, and always know what they're about.

Just a personal note; others may have had better experiences with them.

[Miss Mary]

I have been posting here as a 9/11 survivor....and my frustration with the Red Cross. Could that be me?
I'm a girl though
irina

LOL - and here I thought you were a guy. So sorry! Yes, it could very well have been you I'm thinking of. I just couldn't forget what you said after I read it.

Mary

[beenthru6]

Not a fan of the Red Cross either. I donated today to the Salvation Army through my daughters school. The RC had a bad reputation among the Korean soldiers also. My dad has always had very bad feelings towards the Red Cross. They charged the soldiers for cigarettes and then used a very heavy hand to practically force them to donate from the pay they got.

[azsnowman]

I can't take them either......the Salvation Army is where my money went! They were a GOD SEND to us during the fire 3 years ago, the Red Cross as it's been said, it's ALL about the Corp Offices!

Dennis