Why I won't donate to Haiti Relief...

[WL Fan]

The same thing will happen with the money that goes to Haiti that happened after the tsunami and every other natural disaster. People give money, the money gets misappropriated - the government officials make off with bags full and the people that need it get screwed.

Same story, different disaster.

 

[DisTeach1]

I guess, yes, the above poster is confused, if you only quote four words from an entire paragraph.

I'm not saying what I believe is what everyone believes, or that it is the ONLY way to go...It's just what I have done in my own community and my own life.

 

[autumnpalm]

I agree to an extent.

I think it is unfortunate that people are so quick to give money when a huge disaster strikes and they get so caught up in media coverage but yet they are reluctant to give to families in need within their own community. I don't think a lot of people realize how much of a difference you can make within your own neighbourhood, city and region.

However organizations like the Red Cross need to get their money from somewhere. They do really good work as do so many of the organizations providing aid and relief not only to Haiti but to countries around the world who experience disaster. Relief organizations that depend on donations help thousands and thousands of people and I DO think it is important to support them in their work as well. Much of the money does go right into helping people directly and while the administrative percentages that are taken are often higher than I would prefer, they are what keeps the infrastructure of the charity in place so that it can do the work that it does.

No flaming from me here. I think it's wonderful how active you are within your community and I completely agree with your message that we can all make a huge difference in a person's life.

 

[Boxley]

I guess, yes, the above poster is confused, if you only quote four words from an entire paragraph.

I'm not saying what I believe is what everyone believes, or that it is the ONLY way to go...It's just what I have done in my own community and my own life.

Not confused about message, just that sentence. I get her message loud and clear. I agree to donate to the community, yet I will most likely donate to the Red Cross (usually do, but will add extra) for the country as well.

 

[airhead]

It can never hurt to do both.

My thoughts too.

 

[flamom]

It can never hurt to do both.

I agree

 

[eliza61]

And the point is?
Donating is a personal thing. some people are moved to help internationally. some are moved to help closer to their communities. No one area is better than the other.
Some people see disasters and are moved to do more. I've never seen any legite agency say you have to support them so no worries if you chose not to. Some people like to keep things locally.

Again, not really seeing the point but kudos to the op, if that is what she/he was going after her.

 

[shortbun]

to those who vow to 'keep their money at home'

I just hope you don't use this as an excuse to drop out all together. I grew up with the motto 'charity begins at home.' Imagine my horror when I realized that my parents had collected a fortune and given nothing. "At Home" literally meant to them that they were not contributing. My Dad was so tight that my mother had to ask for a contribution to the church for her birthday. I know they're not the only ones.

 

[dicar123]

I did send $10 to the ARC. BUT.... HOW did Haiti get to be in the shape that it is in today? Apart from the Earthquake? I don't know much about it's history. I know they are saying that food/clean water are scarce at the best of times and now it's non-existent. And I know that there are a lot of charitable organizations already there because of the conditions pre-quake. I can't help but wonder how that county would be if only a fraction of the donations were made PRIOR to the quake. Where was the world then? Why does it take such a tragedy to get people moving?

Haiti has been run by Communist dictators for decades. In the last 20 years, the US has sent them about 2 billion dollars. It does no good. It never does any good. The money goes to prop up the thugs in charge and the people starve. Starving, weapon-less people aren't much of a threat to the thugs with machetes. They aren't starving by accident, but by design.

 

[Mickey's Minion]

Ya know, I've come to realize, that most of our contributions don't count for NOTHING towards the people that really need it. If I donated $100 towards Haiti relief, I know that that money would not make one bit of difference to the people suffering in Haiti. So, this is what I do...

I believe "charity starts at home". I was raised by a struggling single Mom who would have loved an extra 10 bucks or anything at times...When she was in the hospital, and I was 15, a neighbor came by and squeezed an extra $200 into my hand...I bought groceries with that money for my sister and I to eat while my Mom was in the hospital.

I have a friend who is a single Mom who got behind in her electric bill...At christmastime, I went and paid $200 towards her electric bill. She didn't know who did it, but I know it made a big difference to her.

I paid another childs sports fees for the year, again, anonymously, but I KNOW it made a difference.

My own family...My sister is barely making ends meet...But she won't accept a handout. I buy all of the clothes for her children, and their shoes. One less thing she doesn't have to worry about and I make it as a gift...Christmastime, Valentines Day, Easter...the girls get clothes and shoes.

I bought a homeless Mom and her two kids a dinner from Kentucky Fried Chicken. As I was walking in, she asked me if I would have any change to spare on my way out, so I gave her my change and a dinner.

I guess what I'm saying...These big charitable organizations...I have lost my faith that my small $100-$200 donations really makes a difference. Yet, I know if I do it close to home, it makes a HUGE difference.

And I'm not saying the people in Haiti don't need help. I don't have a solution to that. I just know that in hard times, I have put my money to where I know it will make a HUGE difference.

You have the right to do with your money what you want.

However, I hope you keep your policy in mind if you ever find yourself in a horrifying natural disaster, and it has happened in this country, and do the right thing by not accepting any help, not so much as a $5.00 case of water that was paid for by somebody's $5.00 donation, from the Red Cross or any of the other large, evil charitable organizations.

Perhaps that neighbor kid that played soccer thanks to you will bring you a case of water.

 

[shortbun]

It can never hurt to do both.

There ya go!

 

[ontariomonkey]

I see your point but I happen to disagree. With 80% of Hatians being illiterate, and living on less than $2 a day, I don't see how that suffering can be compared to the average 'poor' person in the USA.

I think that it's a rediculous notion that paying an american child's sports fees does as much good as providing clean water to a person who has been trapped under a building for 3 days.

The root cause of the problems in Haiti is corrupt leadership/government. I don't believe that fact is in dispute. I'm not saying that I have the answers, I wish that I did. For now, I will give to recognized aid agencies such as the red cross in my attempt to do my part.

 

[gonzo76]

Op, I not sure the reasoning behind your post. Are we supposed to applaud you? Are you looking for a pat on the back? Most people give without having to publicize it.

 

[phragmipedium]

I don't think a lot of people realize how much of a difference you can make within your own neighbourhood, city and region.

However organizations like the Red Cross need to get their money from somewhere. They do really good work as do so many of the organizations providing aid and relief not only to Haiti but to countries around the world who experience disaster. Relief organizations that depend on donations help thousands and thousands of people and I DO think it is important to support them in their work as well. Much of the money does go right into helping people directly and while the administrative percentages that are taken are often higher than I would prefer, they are what keeps the infrastructure of the charity in place so that it can do the work that it does.

I agree. I think it's wonderful to give locally. I also think that just because you cannot physically see your dollars helping elsewhere doesn't mean they are not helping. If you can and choose to, there's nothing wrong with doing both. There's nothing wrong with doing just one or the other, either. It's a personal choice and I just think it's great when people who can afford to are giving at all to things that move them. I think it's because people feel like "My $10 can't do anything" that they get discouraged and don't donate at all - but if more people who could afford to just gave that $10, it could do a lot, locally or on a larger scale.

 

[N.Bailey]

I'm not a fan of the Red Cross and have never really been one (aside from blood drives). I give at times like these when disaster strikes only because they are first responders and IMO, that's critical in a disaster zone. Once panic sets in and jeopardizes the lives of those who survived (no food, water, etc..), aid becomes much more costly because security has to take precedence over basic needs.

Otherwise however, I happily support my local Salvation Army because I have seen how they help families in need, locally. They are actually first responders (well, that's really the fire dept - who I support as well), when someone loses their home to a fire. They also have a heating program that I fully support. Our 1 neighbor, MANY years back (has since died ), qualified for fuel assistance, but the amount they gave her wasn't enough to get a single oil company to make the delivery. I contacted the Salvation Army for her and they gave her enough in funds to bring her to the minimal delivery level. I could give many other examples and all of them tell me that my donation is going to the right place.

 

[kimmar067]

I can totally see your point, even though I gave to the Red Cross for Haiti. I just had to do something for those people after watching all the news coverage.

I keep thinking that I'd like to adopt a child who was orphaned by the earthquake. My son would like that, too, but I don't know about DH.

......you truly ARE a 'Jersey Girl'....

 

[N.Bailey]

You have the right to do with your money what you want.

However, I hope you keep your policy in mind if you ever find yourself in a horrifying natural disaster, and it has happened in this country, and do the right thing by not accepting any help, not so much as a $5.00 case of water that was paid for by somebody's $5.00 donation, from the Red Cross or any of the other large, evil charitable organizations.

Perhaps that neighbor kid that played soccer thanks to you will bring you a case of water.

This isn't what the OP was saying. She was saying that she doesn't believe if she donated that $5 that it would be used to actually buy the case of water.

I'm sure it takes a lot more than $5 in donations given to the Red Cross to buy a $5 case of water. How much I don't know, but I know they have a pretty high overhead.

 

[Boxley]

Op, I not sure the reasoning behind your post. Are we supposed to applaud you? Are you looking for a pat on the back? Most people give without having to publicize it.

That is what confuses me (besides the statement don't count for NOTHING which means it counts for something) Why post at all?

 

[N.Bailey]

I see your point but I happen to disagree. With 80% of Hatians being illiterate, and living on less than $2 a day, I don't see how that suffering can be compared to the average 'poor' person in the USA.

I think that it's a rediculous notion that paying an american child's sports fees does as much good as providing clean water to a person who has been trapped under a building for 3 days.

The root cause of the problems in Haiti is corrupt leadership/government. I don't believe that fact is in dispute. I'm not saying that I have the answers, I wish that I did. For now, I will give to recognized aid agencies such as the red cross in my attempt to do my part.

She gave other examples, why do you have to choose to use the one that stresses your point the most? That's quite disingenuous, IMO.

 

[eliza61]

This isn't what the OP was saying. She was saying that she doesn't believe if she donated that $5 that it would be used to actually buy the case of water.

I'm sure it takes a lot more than $5 in donations given to the Red Cross to buy a $5 case of water. How much I don't know, but I know they have a pretty high overhead.

American red cross is one of the most well run and efficient charities.

http://www.charitynavigator.org/index.cfm?bay=search.summary&orgid=3277

They get rated very well with charity navigator spending 90% of their funds on their programs. So if you send in 5 bucks to them $4.50 will go to get water. They have a very low fund raising effeciency (how much money they spend to raise a dollar) and their ceo gets paid less than 1% of their opporating cost.