The donation money trail; Red Cross use of charitable contributions questioned

Nightline, Koppel et al ^ | 10/26/01 | Red Cross and Dr. Healy

[Diogenesis]

This just in: Nightline.

Of the >$575 million dollars, the Red Cross took more than $300,000,000 given by donors
intended for 911 victims --- for THEMSELVES including overhead and overseas projects.

Bernadine Healy, head of the American Red Cross abruptly resigned.

"I had no choice," Healy said.

[Diogenesis]

You did NOT answer why this is not stealing in your "ethics.

[Fraulein]

Believe it or not, even Oprah said on her television show that she was going to withhold making a donation until she knew exactly where the money would be going, and how it would be distributed and allocated. She said this a couple of weeks ago to all her viewers, and I admit I was surprised.

[VA Advogado]

They took more than $300,000,000.00 -- given by donors for the victims-- for NON-NY,PENTAGON,PA matters including their plans outside of the US and for their overhead. That is what THEY said.

Looks like all the money is accounted for below. Quit doing that million mom math.

Click Here - See Diogenesis Eat Crow

[VA Advogado]

You did NOT answer why this is not stealing in your "ethics.

Because all the money is accounted for. Its all going to ARC programs. All the expenditures are disclosed. Its all there buddy. You're blowing smoke. Put down the crack pipe.

[VA Advogado]

You never answered the question. Have you donated anything to the red cross since 9/10/01?

[Miss Marple]

No, I do not object to feeding rescue workers. That is a legitimate expense, as is clothing and shelter for the families. It has been my experience that "services" will get broadened into long-term counseling, brochures, support groups, etc. all at high prices and no doubt staffed with buddies in other organizations.

I also object to any of this money going to their overseas prgrams. Those should be funded by a general appeal.

You cannot tell me that most people thought they were giving money to the Red Cross in GENERAL, for them to distribute as they wished. The donations were intended for those families, with legitimate support for things like the rescue workers. It is shabby behavior, even if it is legal, and if they do not cough up most of that money to the families, the organization will suffer in the long term.

[scrambled_transmission]

Wait...Nightline says the Red Cross received $575 million and the Red Cross said it received $375 million...am I missing something?

[Diogenesis]

You are not the sharpest knife in the drawer.

First, you have only accounted for half of the ~$600.000.000 the Red Cross took in.

The other $300,000,000 is not accounted for in what you posted.

Furthermore, the show and the criticism, was about the missing $300,000,000.

Second, this has nothing to do with me. What is your role in this?

[VA Advogado]

I doubt many people viewed the fine print on a remote web site, even if it is there.

So now its the donors fault? How fast you change your tune Dio. Look in the mirror, thats where the problem lies.

Have you donated anything to the red cross since 9/10/01?

[scrambled_transmission]

Just curious, how did Nightline know that the Red Cross had an extra $200 million that it wasn't admitting to publicly?

[zeaal]

TOSS THE BOARD!!!!!

How dare they misuse the funds people worldwide donated to assist families of the WTC attack.

[Diogenesis]

Dont be a moron. The donors were fleeced.

=====================

There is only one bottom line:

Do you think ANY donors would have given 1 cent if they knew beforehand
that more than 2/3rd of the money was going for other purposes?

[VA Advogado]

You cannot tell me that most people thought they were giving money to the Red Cross in GENERAL, for them to distribute as they wished. The donations were intended for those families, with legitimate support for things like the rescue workers. It is shabby behavior, even if it is legal, and if they do not cough up most of that money to the families, the organization will suffer in the long term.

No more than 10% of the funds they've allocated are even going for the programs you have a problem with. And even then, they have a relation to whats going on. For instance, who do you think supports the overseas staff that has been supporting those Christian college women arrested in Afghanistan?

[cherry]

Somebody needs to get te Red Cross link off the FR Home page. These charties are an absolute disgrace.

if you would go to the american Red Cross site they do have the parting words of Dr. Healy and I hope you read them...any problem that the Red Cross has had is not of her making..

.sounds as if she demanded accountablilty

..sounds like she demanded that the tragedy funds be kept separate.

..she also refused to part-take in the international Red cross because they would not allow Israel to join..

.gee, Dr. Healy sounds like a very principled person to me.

whatever gripes you have with the Red Cross, you can also have with any large organiztion ....the bigger the mission , the more the money, the larger the scope...the more confusion...

when I gave my contribution , I knew full well that all the money would be pooled....that is just the way it is...Dr. HEaly at least tried to keep the monies separate...

She is a great American.

[VA Advogado]

Do you think ANY donors would have given 1 cent if they knew beforehand that more than 2/3rd of the money was going for other purposes?

If the money is unaccounted for, how do you know about it? What? Do you get your news from. . the media?

Have you given anything to the red cross since 9/10/01? Anything?

[Born in a Rage]

Its suppose to be distributed according to the organizations priorities. Donors are not to dictate how the ARC's money is to be spent.

Well, EXCUUUSSSE me but when we donated to the American Red Cross it was specifically to the September 11th relief effort; not for some international fund. My young son even donated $5 to help the 9-11 victims and their families and the fact that NOW they say they are going to spend it some other way gets me soooooo p.o'ed that I'm thinking about finding a way to get my and my sons money back (and give it to the NYFD). I can't believe this, what a crock.

[DaughterOfAnIwoJimaVet]

You cannot tell me that most people thought they were giving money to the Red Cross in GENERAL, for them to distribute as they wished. The donations were intended for those families, with legitimate support for things like the rescue workers. It is shabby behavior, even if it is legal, and if they do not cough up most of that money to the families, the organization will suffer in the long term.

You are absolutely right. When this happened, many websites had links to donate to the Red Cross and a direct reference was made to victims of the events of 9/11. People were very clearly given the impression that their money would be used to help those involved. This ought to ruin (or change drastically) this "charity" organization, which has been pulling stunts like this since at least WWII.

[Diogenesis]

It is none of your business.

However, I have, before and after, and THAT makes this subjectively more serious.

[VA Advogado]

Well, EXCUUUSSSE me but when we donated to the American Red Cross it was specifically to the September 11th relief effort; not for some international fund.

Call us cruel, but some of us don't have a problem that our money is going to help those young Christian college students who were arrested in Afghanistan and will probably be raped and killed by the taliban. Those girls are americans too.

[VA Advogado]

However, I have, before and after, and THAT makes this subjectively more serious.

It looks like you're trying to answer but its just not coming out. Its a simple yes or no question. I'll type slower:

Have you donated anything to the Red Cross since 9/10/2001?