Can the Red Cross be trusted with money?

Ellison and Jalynne, Did I say that no charity was getting my support? I don't remember saying that. I only mentioned one specific charity, the one in my subject line, the first one people think of in a disaster, the only one who stole my donation money as well as yours after 9-11. I never said that all charities are scams; I named one, and gave my reasons. You assumed that I made a global statement. You just like to argue and flame because you feel safe to do so in front of a computer and not the person. If you are so serious about doing good for others, stop b*tching and go quilt.

I know what I said, and its intent. Is it sad or typical that you have to respond in such a spirit?

Ragmop/Sandy

It is typical of you to twist what others say. Your favorite charity is waiting for you to get off the computer and do something good for a change.

cyndi

The Mennonite Central Committee here in Ontario are amazing...I think they have branches in the states as well as world-wide. To give you an example- we had a tornado touch down here in Ontario- Fergus/Orangeville area on August 19th. By the time we went to see some of the devastation a week later- hundreds of our local Mennonites had already rebuilt several barns. They literally converge on one farm; all the women cook and bake for 200 men; and a barn raising takes place in two days! They also do amazing work in 30 countries around the world- so if you have local MCC branches I wouldn't hesitate to donate to them. (Some of you may have heard of the New Hamburg Mennonite Relief Sale held every May where hundreds of beautiful quilts are auctioned off for relief funds. Last year Lens' Mills got out bid on a quilt that went for $44,000...Yes that's $44,000. The lady who bought it had just sold her chicken quota!) My thoughts and prayers are ongoing for all of the homeless families suffering right now.

I think the point is Cyndi, that either you like how the Red Cross operates or you dont, but in the end if your heart moves you to help the survivors of Katrina then you will find a way to do so. The Red Cross isnt the only game in town, and perhaps it isnt the way you want to go about helping. Thats cool. Lots of folks feel that way as well and then find the way that feels right to them. Has any of the alternatives folks have mentioned struck your fancy? Diana

Back a few years ago, there was a fire in San Diego County, California. The fire was called he Viejas Fire. $400,000 was donated tothe red cross to help the people affected. If I remember right, less than $20,000 was used to help victims. Examples include a man who lost a mobile home, two barns, a workshop and a pumphouse...the onlyhelp he received was a rake, two shovels and a $50 Sears Gift Certificate. COunty supervisors discovered that the local chapter put most of the funds into their general fund, which I was told by a friend who works for the county, was used to put new air conditioning units into the main office of the red cross down there. The red cross said that the reason they did not use the money for the victims was because the majority of the funds donated, people did not specify that it was for the fire victims, so the red cross used it for other things instead.

Personally, I do not and will not donate to the red cross, but I will donate to other organizations tohelp with relief aid.

I hate to point fingers or choose sides at a time like this - but being here in Houston and seeing what is happening to donations and people who are trying to help and volunteer - it would be my personal suggestion - at least for right now - that if you are sending money, or donations of any kind to Houston right now - DON'T send it to the Red Cross. I don't know if they are just this petty, or just this disorganized or just this overwhelmed or WHAT is going on - but volunteers are being turned away - donations are being turned away (and those donations are coming over here to the neighborhoods around the Astrodome and evacuees are excitedly and overwhelmingly running out to cars and people to graciously and anxiously accept clothes, shoes, bottles of water, cans of food......) and all the Red Cross officials keep doing is standind in front of every camera they can find and asking for people to send more money! I'm sick of it!

The Salvation Army is accepting clothes, shoes, blankets, sheets, towels, etc AND volunteers. The Houston Food Bank is accepting any and all food, juice, water donations AND volunteers.

If you have any doubts in your mind about where to send your money or your help - please consider one of these organizations - or the local denomination/chapter of your church. ALL of the churches here in Houston have organized food/clothing collection locations.

The Red Cross is not the only "help" in town and at this point they may be too busy giving interviews to actually HELP anyone!

I will say that Houston residents and company employees who have volunteered (and been accepted) to help the Red Cross are working their hearts and their asses off and I don't want this to be a bad reflection or ungratefulness on them.

Tina

Another confirmation of what I was saying as posted in this morning's Houston Chronicle.

Thanks again to any and all for the help you have already sent and continue to share!

Hugs, Tina

I have seen both the Mennonites and Amish working in disaster areas, they are great. Just come in quietly and go to work. No big signs, no advertisement just good work.

Bonnie, in Middletown, VA

I thought this might be a good place to put this link. The Red Cross is getting some flak about not being an obvious presence in New Orleans. This is an explanation why.

The poppies were sold by the Disabled American Vets (DAV) and my dear pollock always bought bouquets of them and brought them to work for me.

It is apparent to me that the people are in need but Red Cross ain't! LOL!!

Can't you just picture those folks hiking in the mountains in their spike heels? LOL!! I wonder if the intent was to auction these items for cash support.

That is a good example of the history I have read. All donations go into this "general fund" whether they are designated or not. This came out during 9-1-1 also.

This is one thing I like about the orginization that we have chosen - they have 3 seperate funds. One that 100% goes to relief, one that goes to rebuilding churches, and one that goes to the pastors that are down there. It allows the person donating to make the choice.

Roberta (in VA)

My church is the same way.