Tell me what you think about the American Red Cross!!

[MollyJ]

I am a board member for a local chapter of the American Red Cross. Many local Red Cross Chapters are suffering some dark times in the wake of 9/11. Our chapter and national donations are way down and it is getting difficult for some of us to continue our work in the multiple areas in which we operate (disaster, health and safety ed, community services).

I am particularly interested in hearing how you view the Liberty Fund, the millions of dollars that have been donated and now pledged to the care of 9/11 victims and families. This is an unprecendented use of disaster related donations and nothing like it was done for Oklahoma city victims. I will candidly tell you that _I believe_ (and my opinion is mine alone) it may impact our ability to respond to future victims of disasters.

Have you donated to the Red Cross in the past? If yes, have you donated in this calendar year? Why or why not?

Do you regard the Red Ccross as a safe and good place to donate dollars to?

thanks for your input.

[shay]

They suck my blood and make me faint. Nice folks, though. Good snackie cakes after donation.....................................

Stayin' outta the Red Cross political arena question...

[Hardknox]

I have no idea how they got the pictures. You'lll have to ask the San Diego chapter.

Molly J, I have no wish to get into a debate with you. I no longer give to any organization that doesn't give at least 90% of donated $ to the people it is intended for. I gave to several veterans groups who employed professional fundraisers and the vets they solicited for, in one case, got NO $, the fundraisers got it all. So I select my charities carefully and most of them are local and direct.I never give to anyone who wants me to tape an envelope with $ in it to my front door for pick-up, and I check all charities on the charitable giving internet sites to make sure they are on the up and up.(After all,I work hard for my $.) The one outfit that meets all my criteria is the Salvation Army and I give a goodly amount to them. You asked what we thought of the ARC and I told you. That's my exit line.:)

[MollyJ]

Hardknox, I feel like you have expressed some pretty common concerns that people may have and I do appreciate your willingness to express them. Really!! But I do feel their is usually two sides to about any story and I feel that if people like me don't say it, people may fail to realize that there is two sides to THIS story.

My main wish is that some folks might take a closer look at their local Red Cross. Believe, I always specify my donations for my local chapter because I want to support my chapter's local efforts. I do have my moments of real unhappiness with National. And I think National is trying to improve some not-so-good practices. But if local chapters are going to survive and continue to do the work they do, some of these questions must be looked at and answered. I think you voiced concerns of many and I genuinely thank you for the opportunity to look at those issues.

And, Shay, keep on giving. I always figure any post donation calories "don't count", right?

[shay]

Originally posted by MollyJ

And, Shay, keep on giving. I always figure any post donation calories "don't count", right?

Dang skippy!!