Is it just me or is anybody else really sick of tsunami charities trying to collect money from them? This week I had a really bad experience with them. This is what happened…. Monday: I am doing my groceries, and as I am about to pay for my groceries the cashier asks me If I would like make a donation to the tsunami relief fund. Thursday: I go the drug store to get some conditioner and as I am about to pay for it, the cashier asks me if I would like to make a donation to the tsunami relief fund. Friday: I am out having dinner with a friend. When we are done are meals and ask the waiter for our bill he asks us if we would also like to make a donation when paying our bill to the tsunami relief fund. What’s up with that? I was really shocked. Saturday: Some charity calls my house asking for a donation. Enough with it already. STOP! Sorry guys I’m just getting really frustrated with this and needed to let it out.
recognised charities ( UNICEF, Red Cross ) should be the ones who should be collecting donations.. the remaining charities can contribute to them..
Yes, it is only you Gee...very nearly two hundred thousand people killed and five hundred thousand displaced in one day. Only 10 million at risk of death by biological-medical-economic and political consequences. Very possibly the worst single day natural disaster in 300 years. Only 2 thirds of the dead are children. And relief charities have the gall to ask us for money as we buy up the best and cheapest food in the world. These devestated and dying people have the nerve to ask America for help while we are in the middle of a war blowing up other ignorant bastards--what insensitive slobs!
It hasn't even started up. A few courageous souls (at the risk of appearing as unfeeling, insentitive jerks who are unappreciative of their cheap food) have even gone on record to predict massive waste and graft on a scale never before seen in modern history. Of course, the UN could never be capable of such a thing
Re: Yes, it is only you Craig - There's no question that devastation is beyond comprehension. It must be the worst natural disaster in my lifetime, maybe the worst disaster of any description. Despite all that, it's clear that there are many people out there soliciting contributions to some vague "tsunami relief fund" and when you strip away the very thin veneer you discover that it's just a scam operation designed to separate you from your money. The money doesn't go to aid anyone but the person soliciting the funds. It is wise to be wary of these con artists. Most people would like to help in some way. Even small contributions are worthwhile. Please be sure that your money is going where you want it to go. Jack
Don’t get me wrong guys I did make a donation to the Red Cross, which I know is a legit charity. So by donating money to them I feel confident that my donation will go to those that need it. However I am not donating money to a restaurant, because for all I know my money could just be going to the restaurant owners pocket. Plus I have been living in Toronto for the past 6 years so maybe I’m a bit jaded. In Toronto we have a huge homeless, where it seems like almost every time you walk down the street some homeless person is asking you for change. This is a huge problem that a lot of Toronto residents are constantly complaining about.
Yes, I only donate to the RED CROSS. Them and maybe Unicef and a few other RECOGNIZED entities are the only ones that are getting my money. Not that there's full 100% guarantee that ALL of it will reach the victims, but I think most of it should; if not at least I tried my best.
While I confess that I'm ignorant of the details, charities need to be registered within the state(s) they operate as non-profit philanthropic organizations. This is primarily for tax purposes. They need to report on certain aspects of their financial operations including the amount of money they collect from donations and the percentage that actually goes to the cause that is marketed. You can ask them for this information prior to making any donation. If they can't/won't answer then I'd suggest you hold onto your cash. I lived in a place once where an organization solicited donations for the local Police Departments (completely unaffiliated with the actual Police Departments) and only 5-10% of the money collected actually got to the Police Departments. The rest was written off as "operating expenses." Where I live, there are many, many people driving around with these yellow ribbon decals on their cars that say "Support our troops." People buy the decals believing that somehow the money goes to the troops. It does not. It's a scam that plays on peoples emotions. Don't throw your money away. Be smart about your charitable donations. Jack
Thanks for the clarification, Bo. In my line of work I am constantly besieged by scammers crying up charity. I can readily understand your revulsion. Regards, Janko
Charity Begins at Home This is why the only charity I have ever supported (when I had money to spare -- been a few years since that was the case) is the local foodbank, and then only in gifts of food, not money. I used to buy the prepackaged bags at the Safeway and put them in the bin. I realize this doesn't help the people in far-off regions, but if there are only so many charity dollars for me to give -- it will always be in the direct support arena, and locally at that. Seeing people hungry in front of me trumps the rest (but that's just me). It comes from having had to stand in a food line in two major cities, and being turned down when it came my turn to feed my family. The most recent case of this was just before Christmas 2002, after the loss of my professorship. Had no money (contracts all dried up) and had five mouths to feed. Went to the church door, asking for information on the closest food bank, and was told the closest one was 10 miles or so away. If I had the money to travel 10 miles, I would have spent it on food. That said -- if you ever have charity burning hole in your pocket and you're worried that it will be wasted on administrative features of the charity -- consider your local food bank, and consider buying the prepackaged donations so you know what is really needed by them (since they consult with the grocery stores on what to include to maintain balanced diets and such). Just my 2 cents.
Re: Re: Yes, it is only you Our memories are about as short as our patience with those who suffer. In 1976 a M.7.8 in Tangshang, China killed 240,000. Of course, that was nothing compared to the 1556 Shanxi Huaxian, China earthquake, where best estimates are that 830,000 people died. Millions died as the black plagues swept across Europe in the 14h century -- wiping our a quarter of the population. Our memories are short and our current worldview overestimates the human ability to totally control the universe. We're so surprised when nature is less than friendly.
Re: Re: Re: Re: Yes, it is only you In the case of the Flood, I think it would be easier to provide statistics on who didn't die. Nonetheless, I'm with Bo. I have always felt it distasteful to be confronted with donation requests, and would like to see these people banished to a land with nothing but Salvation Army bell ringers and Girl Scout mothers.
I more more sick of tsunami specials on the discovery channel every other hours and also sick of the "it could happen to us" that is now all over the news. More propoganda to scare us into spending money on tsunami survival kits or to allow the government to spend money on better "warning systems." Ugh.
bo is correct It is not uncommon that in times of natural disaster, the scam artists kick in to high gear. 9-11, earthquakes, tsunamis, etc. I have also worked with several people who made a fortune in 'fund raising'. Whatever was hot, they would raise money for it. What many people don't know is that generally 95-99% of the money raised, goes to the people raising the money, not the charities. Even Red Cross has had a rough few years violating donors trust. The events in Asia are horrific, and any contributions are certainly warranted. Just make it a point to give to the big agencies, as they will at least give some money to the intended parties.
