Warning About Permanent Board Sad Stories

[smidgy]

The Salvation Army is not a charity, it is an evangelical Christian church. If you give them money, they can pretty much do what they want with it.

See there you go. I did not know this so once again, if I have to them, it could be a 50:50 shot that they use the money in a way that I would wish.
In the end, give if your heat moves you and do the best you can with the information you have. If some one has a woe is me tale, do what you feel is good. As for me, the price of a doll isn't going to cause me to paint everyone as scammers.

Otoh, the Salvation Army has been rated well with the charity watch groups. They've given their financials when they didn't have to.

We had fires rage through town a few years ago and they were the only group that actually gave useful help, cots, food, and entertainment for the kids in the residential treatment facility where I was working.

the Salvation ARmy is about the best charity you can give to. yes, they are based on Christianity. and yes, they would like to share the gospel with people they help.

mostly,t hey just want to help people feed them, clothe them, and, if they are willing to listen, share the gospel with them. but they do a lot more feeding and clothing and never require anything from those they help.

please don't anyone be blasting the Salvation Army, a well know and proven charity, as it gets close to christmas, when they get the ost donations. a lot of homeless people and families who depend on any Christmas at all depend of the Salvation army to provide that.

 

[smidgy]

yes, admittedly, the Salvation Army is a Christian organization. imagine that. a Christian organization helping those who need help.

very little of the money they take in goes to administration. most of it goes to help those who need physical help.. food, clothing, place to live.

 

[angierae]

The Salvation Army does do good work...but their refusal to help gays is why I give my donation dollars elsewhere:

http://www.lgbtqnation.com/2011/12/the-salvation-army-ringing-anti-gay-bells-this-holiday-season/

Everyone is welcome to choose where to give. This is why I do not give the Salvation Army money.

As for Disboards posts, I think people are free to do whatever they like, but I also think it is perfectly fine to make people aware that things may not always be what they seem. If you then choose to help someone anyway, that's fine by me - but I think people should have all the facts before making a decision.

 

[Li Li]

Sorry to continue off topic, but I fully support the Salvation Army, regardless of its religious affiliation. They took my mom in for rehab when insurance was refusing to pay for yet another rehab program, which likely saved her relationship with her SO. This was a free program with counseling, room and board, and all members were expected to work in the store, which I thought was great. Just my two cents, but I believe they truly help people.

 

[crisi]

Here is how I look at those stories. If you read someone's post and you believe their story and you send them something because you feel lead to do so, then there is no harm done. You believe you are helping someone and it gives you a good feeling. If that person is actually a scam and you never find out, well then you will always believe that you helped someone.

And we all know that eventually what goes around come around.

However, in two months when the scandal breaks out that poster XXX who you sent money to was scamming, then you don't feel so good.

That's happened more than once. The other one that has happened is over on the DVC boards, where someone needs points for a trip for a sick child - then turns around and rerents the donated or cheap points at a profit. The ability to do that has changed with DVC changes to the transfer rules, but that was a big issue a few years ago.

 

[JB2K]

Briefly about the Salvation Army - I saw them in action first-hand during a major disaster (TWA Flight 756, which crashed at Scott AFB, Illinois in August 1987). Though, miraculously there were zero fatalities that day, The Salvation Army (along with the American Red Cross) immediately mobilized to provide food and other comfort items to the stranded (and seriously-shaken) passengers -- that impression stayed with me for a lifetime...

Back to the topic at hand, people are going to give $$ to whoever they feel "moved" to give to (and we can't say much about that) -- I believe the word of advice, here is don't get caught-up in the "community" aspect of The DIS, because at the end of the day, we're all still a bunch of strangers who know little to nothing about the person on the other side of the posting...

 

[Burnedout]

The Salvation Army does do good work...but their refusal to help gays is why I give my donation dollars elsewhere:

http://www.lgbtqnation.com/2011/12/the-salvation-army-ringing-anti-gay-bells-this-holiday-season/

Everyone is welcome to choose where to give. This is why I do not give the Salvation Army money.

As for Disboards posts, I think people are free to do whatever they like, but I also think it is perfectly fine to make people aware that things may not always be what they seem. If you then choose to help someone anyway, that's fine by me - but I think people should have all the facts before making a decision.

They certainly do help everyone. My uncle (gay) died of aids in 2001. The Salvation Army took him in 3x's when we were in a bind. They housed, fed and a few times even helped with medication issues. You can't believe everything you read. Sometimes there agendas that are more important than fact.

 

[ilovemk76]

1) I like to think of myself as a generous soul. I'm sure there has been a time or two where some homeless person did use my money for drugs but I'm also sure that there was a time or two where they brought themselves a sandwhich.

If they are hungry then they will accept my offer to buy them a sandwich. Funny thing is I always get turned down. I will not help them buy stuff that will eventually kill them.


A few weeks ago I heard the gas station scam as I filled my car. My wife and two kids are stranded blah, blah, blah ... I politely refused and he moved on. Why did I refuse? He reeked of alcohol. I am too smart to give him money to buy booze.

 

[mrsklamc]

Two unrelated points

A friend of mine always carries subway/mcdonalds type giftcards to offer to homeless folks. If you are concerned what they do with the money but still want to help it's an option

Something can be a charity, without being a charity you happen to agree with.

 

[tigger_mommy]

I have seen this first hand in person. These people are sick in the head, IMO. A girl I worked with, got married, pregnant, lost the baby, and lost her dad...all of it was lies. I was suspicious from the get go, and never really participated in the gift giving at work thing. I was actually the one who made the comment that made them start looking into everything. I regularly give clothes to the Catholic ministry in town, a Baptist ministry, and give hand me downs to nieces. I steer clear of giving money unless I can actually track where it goes. Used to sit on the board of a Non-Profit and we are very open about our financials, guess I got spoiled.

Be careful, use your noggin, and mostly don't let sob stories get to you. Everyone falls on hard times, it's part of life, but there are ways to help without automatically opening your wallet. Giving advice, trying to help them find a job, paying them to do odd and end jobs for you are ways to not be an enabler.

 

[sookie]

1) I like to think of myself as a generous soul. I'm sure there has been a time or two where some homeless person did use my money for drugs but I'm also sure that there was a time or two where they brought themselves a sandwhich.

If they are hungry then they will accept my offer to buy them a sandwich. Funny thing is I always get turned down. I will not help them buy stuff that will eventually kill them.


A few weeks ago I heard the gas station scam as I filled my car. My wife and two kids are stranded blah, blah, blah ... I politely refused and he moved on. Why did I refuse? He reeked of alcohol. I am too smart to give him money to buy booze.

I don't give money usually, but I have offered and bought food a handful of times and I have not been turned down the times I have offered. I have also given people my unopened food and they have taken it and been thankful.
I don't know - I don't always offer, but when I am traveling - if I see someone I am concerned about and I offer - I have always been taken up on my offer. Usually I am someplace close to a place to buy food and it is freezing - and usually they have babies and kids with them. They look desperate. I want them to go someplace and get those kids out of the cold.

 

[brunette8706]

Otoh, the Salvation Army has been rated well with the charity watch groups. They've given their financials when they didn't have to.

We had fires rage through town a few years ago and they were the only group that actually gave useful help, cots, food, and entertainment for the kids in the residential treatment facility where I was working.

*
I agree with this! Salvation Army is a great organization that always gives to the poor and needy!

 

[RumpleMom]

How do I go about researching how a charity spends donated money?



Is there a "watchdog" group that compiles information comparing how money is allocated between administration costs and how much actually makes it to those in need?

Is there a way to make a quick comparison between charities?

 

[brunette8706]

They certainly do help everyone. My uncle (gay) died of aids in 2001. The Salvation Army took him in 3x's when we were in a bind. They housed, fed and a few times even helped with medication issues. You can't believe everything you read. Sometimes there agendas that are more important than fact.

*
AGREED!!! I know of plenty of gay airline employees they helped in regards to the September 11th tragedy. Many at National Airport were unemployed for over 4 weeks and the Salvation Army was there to help them out.

 

[brunette8706]

Red Kettles & Bell Ringers

As you open your wallets for the next natural disaster and holiday season, please keep these facts in mind:

The American Red Cross President and CEO Marsha J. Evans' salary for the year was $951,957 plus expenses.

The United Way President Brian Gallagher receives a $675,000 base salary along with numerous expense benefits.

UNICEF CEO Caryl M. Stern receives $1,900,000 per year (158K) per month, plus all expenses including a ROLLS ROYCE. Less than 5 cents (4.4 cents) per donated dollar goes to the cause.

The Salvation Army's Commissioner Todd Bassett receives a salary of only $13,000 per year (plus housing) for managing this $2 billion dollar organization. 96 percent of donated dollars go to the cause.

The American Legion National Commander receives a $0.00 zero salary. Your donations go to help Veterans and their families and youth!

• The Veterans of Foreign Wars National Commander receives a $0.00 zero salary. Your donations go to help Veterans and their families and youth!

• The Disabled American Veterans National Commander receives a $0.00 zero salary. Your donations go to help Veterans and their families and youth!

• The Military Order of Purple Hearts National Commander receives a $0.00 zero salary. Your donations go to help Veterans and their families and youth!

• The Vietnam Veterans Association National Commander receives a $0.00 zero salary. Your donations go to help Veterans and their families and youth!

No further comment is necessary.

 

[budafam]

I don't give to the Salvation Army because I've seen them give TONS of gifts & money to people who did not deserve it TWICE. I know they probably do help lots that need it but our local organization gives to anyone who asks and if you can afford fancy cell phones, new furniture, hair appointments every week, fashionable clothes... no, you do not deserve it (this is my opinion of course).

 

[foreUT]

Sort of OT, so I apologize for that, but if you have siblings, parents, friends with whom you exchange gifts, but they have everything and one more gift is just stuff, think about exchanging charitable contributions this year. My sister and I have been doing this for years and, for us, makes the holiday more in the spirit of giving. Just an idea, but with so many people needing help this year, it seemed like a timely idea worth mentioning.

 

[2binak]

I know well the threads you are talking about and yes, we all need to be aware and careful.

I do want to tell you all about something that happened to me 2 nights ago on the community board though.

I read a thread about a health crisis by a poster I wasn't familiar with. She said to pm her for an address if you wanted to send cards or I was sure I read to send $. I was surprised by that and I admit a little suspicious. Then I saw a link to her trip report from 2006 or 7 and read it straight thru. All 40 something pages.

What I read about this brave young lady and her family was inspiring to me. The challenges she has faced are huge. Based on many things in the trip report, I believe this to be true. By the time I was done reading the trip report, the thread had disappeared. Then I found another thread on the disabilities community board about this and it isn't asking for money.

All I can say is I was so glad to be wrong and I am truly humbled by what I read. I'm not even sure what I'm trying to tell you all, so thanks if you made it this far. Sorry OP to go off topic some.

I saw the post on the community board too and the poster did ask people to pm them for an address to which they could send cash donations. I also noticed that it was gone pretty quickly and I'm sure that's why.

I give when I can, but only to trusted charities. I grew up in a family that needed help from time to time. When you need help, you know or find the reputable charities/agencies you can turn to.

 

[crashbb]

No further comment is necessary.

Maybe no comment is necessary, but a source is.

 

[ilovemk76]

I don't give to the Salvation Army because I've seen them give TONS of gifts & money to people who did not deserve it TWICE. I know they probably do help lots that need it but our local organization gives to anyone who asks and if you can afford fancy cell phones, new furniture, hair appointments every week, fashionable clothes... no, you do not deserve it (this is my opinion of course).

I would include getting WIC or Snap from the taxpayers while taking multiple WDw vacations in your list too.