[greyfoxx39]

I think the barf alert was for Romney, not the Mormons.

Actually, you are wrong...the barf alert is for the way the article credits mormons ONLY for being there after Katrina (in their yellow tee shirts) and the further aggrandizement of the mormon history which is not all that stellar.

Have a look at this web site about the tee shirts:

Mormon Helping Hands Guidelines for Public Affairs Directors 2007

I had problems with formatting from the website, but here is the information, and the whole website is worth reading.

Objectives for Mormon Helping Hands

 

Help the Needy and Improve Communities
Service to others is an important characteristic of the followers of Jesus Christ. Mormon Helping Hands
provides organized opportunities for Church members to give their time and talents to bless those in
need. It also gives members the opportunity to beautify city streets, parks, schools, and recreational
areas and to serve in other ways, showing that the Church is a friend to the community.

Page 1

 

Strengthen Church Members
Through Mormon Helping Hands, youth and adults become more sensitive to the challenges others face.
As Church members follow the example of the Savior in reaching out and helping others,their testimonies
are strengthened. These projects are also valuable opportunities for Church members to fellowship
less-active friends.

Share the Gospel Indirectly
Through Mormon Helping Hands, Church members have opportunities to portray the fruits of their faith
and dispel unfounded criticism and prejudice toward the Church. While this program is not to be used
for proselyting, these activities can help create conditions that are favorable for gospel conversations
and may on occasion provide the opportunity to engage missionaries in teaching those who want to
know more.

Build Relationships with Opinion Leaders
Church Public Affairs exists to “build strategic relationships with opinion leaders who affect the
reputationof the Church of Jesus Christ.” Service is a powerful tool for influencing the beliefs and opinions
of prominent individuals. Mormon Helping Hands is especially effective in developing beneficial
relationships between Church leaders and government officials or other opinion leaders.

Enhance the Reputation of the Church
Mormon Helping Hands helps bring the Church out of obscurity and can greatly improve its reputation.
Local media interest in these projects helps spread the knowledge of the Church to many who would not
otherwise hear of it.

 

Page 4

 

How to Identify Opportunities

How to Identify Opportunities
Opportunities for Mormon Helping Hands projects come in many forms. Projects that address a recognized
need in the community are generally better received than those that are simply convenient or easy to accomplish.
Take time to think through the potential for good (to others and the Church) before recommending
projects to priesthood leaders. Generally, choose projects that do the most good for needy individuals or for
the community.

Organizers of these projects should always consider building relationships to be an important objective. Projects
completed in cooperation with government and civic leaders generally produce the best results and build
the strongest relationships. Church Humanitarian Services representatives may be a good source for project
ideas and opportunities.

Involvement from third-party sponsors such as large corporations and humanitarian organizations can help
increase the potential for good and the visibility of a project. Also consider that some projects lend themselves
better to photography and videotaping than others.

Examples of Mormon Helping Hands projects from around the world are contained in “Appendix B: Examples
of Successful Mormon Helping Hands Projects.” Other ideas for projects are listed below. Please note that the
Church’s role in most cases is to provide laborers only. As a general rule, goods and materials should be supplied
by the organization being assisted or by project sponsors; however, priesthood leaders have the option of
using Church resources in appropriate
circumstances.

Page 5

Organizers Should Not Commit to Providing Repetitive Services or Financial Resources

Organizers Should Not Commit to Providing Repetitive Services or Financial Resources
Because they utilize the volunteer labor of Church members, these projects are generally
intended to be one-time events. Similar projects can be done in subsequent years, but individuals and organizations
receiving the service should know before the project begins that Church leaders
cannot commit the time of members for long-term service.

Likewise, it is important to remember not to obligate the Church to
make financial contributions. Instead, these projects are often funded by private donors, local
businesses, government entities, or the organization being assisted. (For example, goods would be provided by the
organization, and labor would be provided by Church members.)

More at link

Now, with this in mind, are you convinced that the aid offered by the mormon church has no strings attached and is just an example of Christians doing good for the sake of their fellow man?

[greyfoxx39]

In further reading of the source of the above post, I ran across this that directly applies to the article I posted:

Who pays for (the yellow) Mormon Helping Hands T-shirts and vests?
Answer: Local unit budgets or local members should pay for vests and T-shirts for non–disaster relief projects. When the Church’s Humanitarian Emergency Response participates in disaster relief efforts, a supply of vests and T-shirts is often included as part of the relief shipment....

And, wanna bet that the retail cost of these shirts are included in the dollar amount claimed as "Humanitarian Relief" by the mormon church?