Posted on 03/04/2006 6:35:20 PM PST by Gomez
As a ham radio operator, I've been involved in lots of community support activities (not as much since I now have a wife and kids). Many hams donate time to the RC. In talking with some of them I have heard stories of corruption and waste. I think once a few bad folks get inside an organization and get into a position of influence or hire/fire decision making, it's all over. I know there are still some "good" chapters of the IRC around. I also know that there are some bad ones.
JSL
Of course when I gave to the Red Cross, that's what I thought I was doing.
Each person who gives to charity should exercise caution in choosing the recipient of his/her generosity. With the act of charity one should act responsibily as well by seeking full information about the choice of charitable organization to which we give. Particular attention should be paid to the percentage of the donations utilized for the purpose for which they were received ... i.e. percent used for overhead versus percent actually used for "charity" versus percent "retained" [to be misused in the future when no one is watching].There are many worthwhile groups doing wonderful things for people in need. I will again sing the praises of the Southern Baptists for the work they do. They were so well organized that they were "on the ground" immediately, were well prepared, knew what needed to be done ... and got right down to work ... helping people when they needed it most. I cannot sing their praises too highly. They are worthy of our support. There are other groups, no doubt who are just as worthy. I simply became aware of the Southern Baptists and was amazed by how quickly and well they responded. There was one heartwarming story [my paraphrase of the report I read] about a minister who was so overwhelmed by the total destruction surrounding him on the Gulf Coast ... who prayed Lord, we need help and we need to know what to do ... and the next moment he heard a knock at the door ... and the Southern Baptists had arrived.Claiming to be a Christian [or Jewish, or whatever] organization should be far down the list of criteria for choosing the recipient of one's charitable contributions. Many totally sham organizations will garb themselves in the raiment of something good ... and claim to be Christian [or Jewish or whatever] ... put a cross or a little fish symbol or a star of David, etc. on all their stuff ... Be aware that sometimes that is just part of the deceit ... it is just a marketing ploy.
Giving generously is no longer enough. Sadly, one must now make the effort to give responsibly ... to insure that the gift is used for the purpose for which it was given ... and not just to enrich an organization and/or its officers and/or be used for political purposes instead of charity.
Another example of egregious "charitable" misdeeds is the Humane Society of the U.S. [HSUS] ... one would think the donations they receive would be used to help animals. But, HSUS is a radical political group that raised millions of dollars from the unsuspecting during Hurricane Katrina. They do not operate a single animal shelter ... they use their funds for political purposes, lobbying, etc. They are a rabid "animal rights" group that seek to ban drinking of milk, etc. They are very much akin to PETA, just not quite as well recognized yet. They have been reported to use known terrorists to accomplish their goals.
Anyone with a computer can do a search for "charity watch" and turn up several watchdog groups, for example:
Charity Navigator Rating - Human Rights Watch
Charity Navigator, America's largest independent charity evaluator, provides free financial evaluations of America's charities.
www.charitynavigator.orgAmerican Institute of Philanthropy - Charity Watchdog Helping ...
A nonprofit charity watchdog organization that helps donors make informed giving decisions.
www.charitywatch.orgWelcome to Give.org
BBB Wise Giving Alliance. The Alliance reports on nationally soliciting charitable organizations that are the subject of donor inquiries. ... Charity Reports. Charity Seal ... of the subjec...
www.give.org
I remember that "impossible to get there" line of griping from the Red Cross, too. Maybe they didn't want their ball gowns and other evening wear to get dirty.
Please see my Post No. 62.
The local chapter has at least on HUMVEE...sure it says it was donated and I'm sure it was but it sure seems to send a wrong signal.
Advice well heeded!
"I remember that "impossible to get there" line of griping from the Red Cross, too. Maybe they didn't want their ball gowns and other evening wear to get dirty."
could be.
A condo is just a glorified creatively priced apartment. It's not a house.
Condo's even have their own listing category.
You said house. Now find me one!!!! LOL!! :-)
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