Need to vent(long) - People who try to make money off others tragedy

[Planogirl]

They need people with a certain skill set and background to run these huge organizations. A million dollars is a fraction of what these top level guys could make at other corporations. I don't believe that they would get the right people if they paid less.

I also don't mind my money going into a general fund if I believe that the organization will do the right things with that money. I might donate in the name of West, Texas but if the money is used in Oklahoma, I don't mind.

I can understand donating directly to the people affected if that works better for you though. But how? How do you get your money directly to those affected without going through someone? Those in Oklahoma have been asking that people do not bring things personally the last I heard.

 

[eliza61]

Sorry to burst your bubble, OP but it isn't just your friends. Most charities exploit tragedies to raise money. Most PPs here mention the Red Cross. They are allowed to hold HUGE fundraisers to collect your money in the name of a particular tragedy, and then only use a percentage of the funds raised for that tragedy. The rest goes into their general fund. Pure exploitation! I quit donating to the Red Cross after 9/11 when that practice became public knowledge.
I prefer local responses- buying an actual case of water or blankets or hygiene kits that are going on an actual truck to take actual assistance to the victims.

and many times that is a waste. people go under the false assumption that all you have to do is load up and truck and say "i'm here" and immediately start doing good. That fiasco did not work in staten island after sandy. All heck and hell broke loose. fighting over supplies,no organization and accusations over discrimation. people sent millions of blankets to Staten Island and you know what happened? they went unused. Folks didn't need blankets.

when those poor kids were killed in sandy hook, millions of folks sent stuff that was un needed and unhelpful. It got to the point that the residents ended up making a public plea for folks to NOT send anymore junk. I remember hearing the mayor pleading with people to please stop sending teddy bears. LOL they had a warehouse full of teddy bears, now what are they suppose to do with them?

people assume that organizing disaster relief is as easy as going to the grocery store, picking up some water and saying "hi are you thirsty".
It doesn't work llike that. and many times those so called "local" relief organizations get sent back, with a thanks but next time send a check and call. Do you think folks in Oklahoma really need every little church rolling into their neighborhoods with NO IDEA whatsoever what the need is?

 

[Aliceacc]

Here's the flip side, the way it should be handled.

Last night I went to Jazz Night at the high school in which I teach. The Jazz Chorus traditionally sings "Route 66" which mentions Oklahoma City.

At the start of the song, the chorus teacher gave a short intro. He mentioned that Oklahoma City was mentioned in the song, and that of course we're all aware of the tornado that effected the area. He said that we on Long Island know viscerally that sometimes good people need help. And that, sometime in the next few days, he would ask each of us to donate to a charity to help those affected.

No scam, no lecture, just a gentle nudge that these people need our help ASAP.

 

[tinatark]

My friend's little boy (he's 12) was diagnosed with Anaplastic Astrocytoma, grade 4 in December. We have over 32k people on his facebook support page - you wouldn't believe the number of people who have pledged "10%" of sales to his fund, sell t shirts with "a portion" being paid to the family, etc. Grrr. His parents had to trademark the facebook title, set up a process for approving fundraisers and occasionally have ceast and desist letters sent by their attorney to people planning unapproved events. All while their son is fighting for his life.

On the flip side of that, our local Chick Fil A donated 100% of proceeds from a 3 hour time period in February (we are tourism driven, Feb is one of the slowest months of the year). Biggest single day in that location's history, ever - raised nearly $9k.


He was treated locally (misdiagnosed - grr), sent to Atlanta for rehab (again misdiagnosed for a month) then finally at St. Jude in Memphis. He is home, mom administers chemo and he is driven to a local St. Jude clinic for Avastin (sp) bi-weekly. We schedule time to go to their house to help with his daily needs - the amount of STUFF donated is unbelievable. Blankets/throws, stuffed animals, basketballs, pictures. She is storing it for now, for him to decide what to do with it.

One thing we started on his facebook page is to have people hold up "Rootin' for Regen" (page is private) signs in different places, and some celebs as well, and post the pics to his page. We have a member traveling in Rome right now - she has taken photos at the churches she has been visiting, leaving his prayer cards as she travels.

 

[talulabelle]

So I haven't read all of the replies to this thread, but I have a related question/scenario for you:

I am starting my own (crafting) jewelry business. I am making paper beads, and jewelry from recycled material, sea glass etc. I am also creating beads from park maps, as well as Photo frames. I may do Tie Dye "mouse" shirts as well.

My plan is to sell these at local fairs and bazaars, eventually starting an Etsy shop. I plan to advertise (with a sign on the display)that $1 of each sale will go towards a specific charity. My "theme park" items will generate donations for kids charities like "make a Wish" My recycled items, donations to our local zoo and my "patriotic" items, to Freedom Fighters. (an organization that sends care packages to our troops.)

Is this acceptable in your minds? I am still making a profit, but plan to share part of my profit with charities that are near and dear to me. I do not look at it as I am profitting from others misfortune.

Op here- the things you mentioned don't bother me. (However, your theme park items may have a few trademark issues). The things you mentioned aren't tragedies or diseases that you are exploiting for profit. As long as you are upfront and honest about how much money is donated to a charity, that's fine. Using the disease or tragedy as a selling point is my problem . Like a pink ribbon bracelet being sold for profit (any profit at all even if most proceeds go to charity) as long as they keep even a penny in profit from the sale of such an item , they are profiting off marketing someone's disease

 

[angwill]

They need people with a certain skill set and background to run these huge organizations. A million dollars is a fraction of what these top level guys could make at other corporations. I don't believe that they would get the right people if they paid less.

I also don't mind my money going into a general fund if I believe that the organization will do the right things with that money. I might donate in the name of West, Texas but if the money is used in Oklahoma, I don't mind.

I can understand donating directly to the people affected if that works better for you though. But how? How do you get your money directly to those affected without going through someone? Those in Oklahoma have been asking that people do not bring things personally the last I heard.

IMO they need to find people with a certain skill set that will work for less so more goes to people in need. Those people would choose to work for less so they can go home at the end of the day feeling that they did good for those people. If they want to make a million plus they can work for those other corporations and go home knowing that they make the big bucks while the little guys in the company doing all the hard labor work for a fraction of what they make. Honestly, it is each persons choice to give to the organization of their choice. If you choose to give your donations to and organization that pays their upper level people more than you make in over 10 years (as an example) then that is your choice. Personally, I choose to see what they pay their big wigs and what percentage goes where and how they allocate their donations and decide from there if I mind donating to them.

 

[rockawaybeachgirl]

I saw this article today and thought it was both timely and balanced. Clearly one can understand the frustrations of victims waiting for assistance while the Red Cross holds funds for a rainy day (no pun intended).

http://www.washingtonpost.com/natio...8e03ec-c762-11e2-9cd9-3b9a22a4000a_story.html

 

[chicagodisneyfan]

Look deeper. Their CEO makes nearly a million a year in wages.

Sent from my iPhone using DISBoards

I think they SHOULD make that much - do you realize how much time and effort go into running an organization such as theirs??

Plus they usually have a passion for their cause - since they accept a lesser salary than what they could typically get in a for-profit.

 

[usd2bmd]

so? He should work for free? have you any idea how hard a job being a ceo is? Red cross is a huge operation.

Why do people think because you work for a non profit you should be doing this for free or for 20K a year? Are you kidding me?

A million dollars is ridiculously low on the ceo compensation scale.

I agree....Goes to saying "you gotta spend money to make money". The Red Cross is in the business of fundraising.. Anyone who has posted in this thread is evidence of just how hard that is. Could they hire someone at half the salary? Sure, but they would probably bring in considerably less in donations.

and many times that is a waste. people go under the false assumption that all you have to do is load up and truck and say "i'm here" and immediately start doing good. That fiasco did not work in staten island after sandy. All heck and hell broke loose. fighting over supplies,no organization and accusations over discrimation. people sent millions of blankets to Staten Island and you know what happened? they went unused. Folks didn't need blankets.

when those poor kids were killed in sandy hook, millions of folks sent stuff that was un needed and unhelpful. It got to the point that the residents ended up making a public plea for folks to NOT send anymore junk. I remember hearing the mayor pleading with people to please stop sending teddy bears. LOL they had a warehouse full of teddy bears, now what are they suppose to do with them?

people assume that organizing disaster relief is as easy as going to the grocery store, picking up some water and saying "hi are you thirsty".
It doesn't work llike that. and many times those so called "local" relief organizations get sent back, with a thanks but next time send a check and call. Do you think folks in Oklahoma really need every little church rolling into their neighborhoods with NO IDEA whatsoever what the need is?

I agree with this as well. The larger charities are more experienced in setting these types of things up. Do they have problems sometimes? Yes, but not nearly the problems that you would have if they did not come and instead you had 300 small churches with their donated items.

There are always going to be people and companies that prey on disasters and people in need. But that will not stop me from donating to causes I feel are worthy.

As far as the Pink Ribbons...I think this is a means to bring awareness. It's a symbol that is easily recognizable and instantly makes you aware. So if someone is selling something with the pink ribbon on it and I buy it without checking to make sure that a portion or the entire proceeds aren't going to help cancer victims or research, that is on me. I'm an adult and can think for myself, so if I get scammed shame on me.

 

[Burnedout]

Eh, as I said there are plenty of good people out there. The director may or may not be the best person at his job. There could easily be someone more talented and more altruistic.

Lol, to say the best are in those positions is like saying the "best" people wind up as our elected officials. It is a power position and it shouldn't be.

 

[disneybound2010]

Just wanted to jump in and add my two cents here. I am a Scentsy consultant and VERY proud of the way our company handles fundraisers, donations, and their overall philosophy on giving back. Now, I can't speak for every company, but I can say that we are encouraged to give back as much and as often as possible. When I do a fundraiser for any cause, I always stress that 100% of MY commission-which is 25%-is given to the cause. So, for example, I choose to promote a fundraiser for Oklahoma(I haven't.) People buy from my fundraiser and the totals are $1,000. My commission off of that is $250. That entire amount is donated to Oklahoma.

I should also add that I REFUSE to be a pushy, vulture-like salesperson. My friends and family know I sell it and some have bought from me, but a lot of my sales and customers have come from strangers, businesses, and contacts I have made. I try to keep my friendships personal

 

[talulabelle]

Just wanted to jump in and add my two cents here. I am a Scentsy consultant and VERY proud of the way our company handles fundraisers, donations, and their overall philosophy on giving back. Now, I can't speak for every company, but I can say that we are encouraged to give back as much and as often as possible. When I do a fundraiser for any cause, I always stress that 100% of MY commission-which is 25%-is given to the cause. So, for example, I choose to promote a fundraiser for Oklahoma(I haven't.) People buy from my fundraiser and the totals are $1,000. My commission off of that is $250. That entire amount is donated to Oklahoma.

I should also add that I REFUSE to be a pushy, vulture-like salesperson. My friends and family know I sell it and some have bought from me, but a lot of my sales and customers have come from strangers, businesses, and contacts I have made. I try to keep my friendships personal

But Scentsy (this is one I haven't heard if before) encourages YOU to give back, and they are making out like a bandit. They are profiting from others misfortunes. These companies are using tragedies as marketing strategies and using their salespeople. They make you feel like you are doing something good and they are laughing all the way to the bank. If they really wanted to "give back" and do something good in the community, couldn't they just give a donation? And leave the sales and exploitation out of it? You are still raising your sales numbers by doing these "fundraisers" so you are still benefitting from someone's tragedy. It is just wrong. And even though you aren't being pushing to your friends, I'm sure all your clients are encouraged to hot up their friends - the entire premise is just icky IMO.

 

[disneybound2010]

But Scentsy (this is one I haven't heard if before) encourages YOU to give back, and they are making out like a bandit. They are profiting from others misfortunes. These companies are using tragedies as marketing strategies and using their salespeople. They make you feel like you are doing something good and they are laughing all the way to the bank. If they really wanted to "give back" and do something good in the community, couldn't they just give a donation? And leave the sales and exploitation out of it? You are still raising your sales numbers by doing these "fundraisers" so you are still benefitting from someone's tragedy. It is just wrong. And even though you aren't being pushing to your friends, I'm sure all your clients are encouraged to hot up their friends - the entire premise is just icky IMO.

Nope, I don't HOT up my friends, whatever that means. I had a friend who asked to do a party(I hate parties actually) and basically it is just word of mouth about the product, the company, and their practices that hook people for me. As I said, I don't push it and MOST of my clients are ones that found me in the community through events and other contacts.

As for the company, I encourage you to check them out(No, not to go buy LOL) They aren't laughing all the way to the bank while exploiting us or anything like that. They are known for giving back in a big way. They lead by example. Every season, they work with a charity, right now it is an Alzheimer's Foundation, to create a product designed specifically for the charity. A nice portion of the sales go to the foundation. I know a lot of companies that do scheme and it puts a sour taste in your mouth. I always believed that as well. I can honestly say that this company is one I am proud of. After Newtown, a lot of us consultants ran scentsy buddy drives(stuffed animals) The company DISCOURAGED it for that reason, actually. They didn't want to make money off of a tragedy. For the consultants, we were thinking we could get enough buddies together for every child in the school when they returned. My point is, not ALL MLMs and home based businesses are that way. Just as not all big name stores hold the same beliefs as A&F. You do your research and you decide what companies hold your values, but you can't hold ALL businesses to the same degree because a few are bad apples.
JMHO