The Red Cross in the Cross Hairs?

INSIGHT magazine ^ | October 12. 2001 | Kelly Patricia O’Meara

[SarahW]

There are not a few newsgroup postings relevent to earlier disasters complaining of problems with the Red Cross's redirection of donated money.

Here is an example from 1997:
local donations for local relief stolen by National office of Red Cross

[SarahW]

Does the Red Cross still do this?

charging volunteers and victims for services

[rdavis84]

"He does not volunteer how much this amounts to, but published reports indicate the Red Cross thus far has received about $258 million in donations"

You and all others that know about the Red Cross are Right. And a BIG Bunch of money is being accumulated by them still from the Blood Donations. In our area they're Still pushing for blood for the victims. Huh? What Victims are needing blood? What does the Red Cross sell the blood to a hospital for -- $350/unit? I don't know now but when my Grandfather was lingering thru several surgeries, family donated blood. Then the RedCross charged for units used.

Way back in the Army, when the Red Cross "Donut Dolly"(<---nice version) visited our camp/compound, the Army supplied everything. But you were supposed to kick in for "costs".

I've never given the ARC anything after those early experiences. The Salvation Army is/are The Good Guys.

[Askel5]

I don't know now but when my Grandfather was lingering thru several surgeries, family donated blood. Then the RedCross charged for units used.

Was this different than "banking" blood? I'll be stunned if a family's donations to help a member through a crisis are charged for.

[Stand Watch Listen]

bttt

[Stand Watch Listen]

bttt

[Stand Watch Listen]

I feel exactly the same way about the Salvation Army. They do so much with the donations given them.

The Red Cross seems to spend so much on administrative overhead/services. A large amount also seems to go to their national 'general fund' versus being dispursed in the local areas in which donations were given.

[arm958]

My blood is boiling. Several days after the WTC attack my wife and my sister in law organized an auction in town to raise money for the Red Cross. They raised over $8,000. People were opening their wallets wide. To think the Red Cross cynically funnels this money to their national organization makes me sick. I agree with others that the Salvation Army is the only way to go.

[arm958]

My blood is boiling. Several days after the WTC attack my wife and my sister in law organized an auction in town to raise money for the Red Cross. They raised over $8,000. People were opening their wallets wide. To think the Red Cross cynically funnels this money to their national organization makes me sick. I agree with others that the Salvation Army is the only way to go.