They've GUTTED the Red Cross -- those are the words of an RC

[Eloriel]

volunteer instructor of 10 years with whom I'm in contact. Very credible person I know from another joint project. She wants this information out, and I agreed. Please consider nominating and kicking this thread -- as well as adding more info to it -- and I hope to have more info to post to it tomorrow after I have a chance to talk to her again.

I'd also like to ask DUers to consider helping with some research on the Red Cross. PLEASE post your questions and I'll try to get answers for them. Remember, tho, her perspective is quite local, not national, and I can't post anything that could conceivably identify her.

First, a little perspective I dredged up myself:
just sayin': American Red Cross chief is a BIGTIME gop hack
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=132&topic_id=2056654

LOL, talking with the RC Volunteer (RCV hereafter), at one point I interrupted her and said, "So in other words, the RC has gone fascist too." She had to agree.

In a nutshell, this is what has happened to the RC.

After 9-11, they started serious budget cutting, and her local office went from EIGHT fulltime "volunteer Coordinators" down to TWO PARTTIME volunteer coordinators. Services have suffered incredibly as a result. (Like, duh!)

The duties of the volunteer coordinators -- the duties which suffer as a result of these draconian cuts -- include: coordinating disaster relief workers, training for Standard First Aid/CPR (instructors and students), blood donation efforts, etc. FOR THREE WELL POPULATED COUNTIES.

My contact reports that these paid parttime staff are currently working 14 hour days, but things are dropping between the cracks. Of necessity. For example, when RCV asked if they should try to get more people to donate blood, there was a near panicked "Don't do that!" response BECAUSE THERE AREN'T VOLUNTEERS TO TAKE IT. There aren't enough hours to coordinate training and hours, so something has got to give.

Worse, perhaps, the "disaster" training for volunteers to be sent into the field will be taking place next week, purley because they are overworked and understaffed. They will be deployed within 48 hours after that. RCV feels the death count is "the rising death toll is 100% attributable to their inability to respond due to their ongoing budget cuts," tho we also know that in the case of NO, the RC has been kept OUT of there by FEMA ( http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/05246/565143.stm and http://dailykos.com/story/2005/9/2/2125/04978 ). There could easily, however, be other areas where the RC could be of critical aid.


RCV also suggests that you call YOUR local RC office and ask them if they'd had any budget and staff cuts lately, and finished by saying, "Your home town might be in bad shape, too."

I want to say personally that I'm a little uncomfortable with two things about the RC right now: First, and I posted about this, we see an awful lot of emphasis by this admin on getting contributions to them and it just seems somehow pushed -- there ARE other charities, for example. (FEMA also has Pat Robertson's Operation Blessing on its website, I understand, but I've not heard them pushed in the media). The other is that they are insisting on cash. Now I understand perfectly that it's easier to get many things on site in many cases, or purchas them in bulk to be brought in, etc. But again, it just seems unseemly. There IS a need for used clothing, perhaps used toys and baby furniture and such. Maybe the RC doesn't want to deal with that stuff, but IMO they should encourage people to either donate to charities that WILL, or suggest people do their own research for other charities. There is just something that nags at me about all this.

EDITED: I'm leaving this in, but thanks to a post correcting me, I now remember that this scandal was indeed involving the United Way, not the Red Cross. I apologize for my careless error. I just remembered something. Wasn't there was a HUGE scandal with an office in California a few years ago that had to do with either embezzlement or mishandling of funds or both?

More later, or tomorrow.

Questions? Comments? I'll share them with RCV.

[Angry Girl]

1. Recommended!

Nightweed's Hurricane Katrina Aid Organizations

[fooj]

2. Yes. The RC, at this present moment...does seem suspect.

Peace.

[cthrumatrix]

3. my gut says that the RC is used for raising massive cash that is NOT

shared with those in need...those are facts...the salavation Army

has a much better record.

It's like the mafia getting free funds in which 40% are actually used

the rest ...well ask the RC

[Eloriel]

5. See, I'm sory, but that's precisely along the lines of what my gut

is telling me -- pure speculation on my part, but ... :shrug:

EDITED: I edited out some of the details of my personal speculation because I didn't think it particularly belonged in this thread.

[NYC]

58. Last night, a friend asked me about sending $500

to the Red Cross, but said she just didn't feel right about sending it to the Red Cross. She had qualms about them. She wanted me to recommend a charity in which she could have more confidence.

It seems a lot of people have qualms about the Red Cross.

[Joy Anne]

33. I hold a grudge against the Salvation Army, too

The local region paid Gary Bauer (Family Research Council) $6,000 to address their meeting. This came to light because between the booking of the speaker and the speech, Bauer became a presidential candidate. The local newspaper thus covered the speech and noted that he kept his speaking engagement but waived the fee.

I figured if they had that much money to throw at that bigot, they didn't really need my $25.

My charity money now goes to the homeless shelter at Old First Reformed Church in Philly, which I've seen in action and in budget, and to Church World Service, because I have to trust somebody.

[alfredo]

45. I remember having to pay the RC for their services.

[Clovis Sangrail]

4. what to do?

I've volunteered at the rc, and yes, I won't be sent out until next weekend at the earlist... but what other options are available for people who can't donate but can volunteer?

I can work with FoodnotBombs locally, or the local homeless shelter, but as far as I know the rc is the only agency that will ship me to the gulf area to help.

[jbnow]

35. A great thing to do!

What counts is you will be there.
Thanks

[NYC]

60. The Salvation Army will train and send you.

He said not everyone will be sent immediately, but they will be sent. Worth checking, especially since the Red Cross will never get close to New Orleans from all I have read.

Edit: "He" is the Salvation Army man who was interviewed on television.

[ayeshahaqqiqa]

6. All the local RC chapters in NW Arkansas

are shut down, and all but one has had their phone lines turned off. The one that is still there said that everything was consolodated in Little Rock now. That seems funny, as we have tornados here, and it would seem more logical to have many little chapters so they can get to the disaster areas faster.

[AbbyR]

41. The Red Cross wouldn't come

to our shelter, which is housing 150+ at last count. They told us to get them to Pine Bluff, about 50 miles south of the shelter, for processing. These people have been through hell, and they want them to travel another hundred miles round trip just to register and get help? We are so irritated.

[Bobbieo]

7. Red Cross and WW2 and Vietnam Vets

I worked for the Sacramento Area United Way in the late 60's and you could not get a vet from either of the above wars to donate to or go near the Red Cross, which was one of our agencies. They had a real bad rep back then.

[xxqqqzme]

10. my dad, a WWII vet,

will not give the RC one cent. He has nothing but bad memories & things 2 say w/ the way they were treated by the RC during the war.

[cmd]

17. My dad, another WWII vet, says exactly the same thing.

When he needed help, it was not there. He went to the Salvation Army and was helped immediately.

[expatriate]

63. My grandfather, a WWI vet, would become apoplectic

whenever ads asking for donations to the Red Cross came on.

There's been plenty of scandal in the last ten years regarding the Red Cross and their misprision of funding. I can't bring myself to donate to them.

[RevCheesehead]

8. Give to Church World Service or UMCOR

100% of donation goes directly to relief efforts. No overhead.

http://gbgm-umc.org/umcor/

[wtmusic]

9. No overhead??

There is always overhead. Offices, staff supplies, telephones, you name it. The money has to come from somewhere.

[RevCheesehead]

18. No overhead - no kidding.

In the Methodist church, those expenses are paid for through church apportionments and special gifts. It's the product of being a connectional church - we work together and support one another, and the world.

So when you give to UMCOR, 100% of your gift goes directly to Hurricane Relief.

[wtmusic]

23. Hmm...you have personal experience with this charity?

I've already given quite a bit to RC. Probably a good idea to spread the love around. :)

[RevCheesehead]

25. Yes - I'm a United Methodist pastor.

This is our church's world-wide missions agency.

Here's more info about UMCOR:
http://gbgm-umc.org/umcor/info.stm

"When you give to the United Methodist Committee on Relief you can be sure that your money will go where you want it to go. One hundred percent of your tax-deductible gifts go to the emergency or project that you designate. UMCOR's administrative costs come from other sources, especially the United Methodist One Great Hour of Sharing offering."

[Joy Anne]

38. The same holds for the UCC and CWS

We have special collections, One Great Hour of Sharing and others, for the overhead. Money collected for charity goes 100% for the purpose.

I'm putting a big check in the basket tomorrow, and our outreach committee is trying to figure out how we can sponsor a family.

[AbbyR]

44. Let me tell you about the wonderful Methodists...

in my little town: The local church in a Southeast Arkansas town where I work. They are now housing at least 150 evacuees, feeding more than that, three meals a day. They are coordinating all relief efforts, getting medical help for the people, helping them find jobs, getting children in school, literally doing everything to help these people find their footing and get back to life. The other churches and the city itself are coming together to help, but it is the Methodists who are the guiding spirit and coordinating entity to help the evacuees.

George Bush turned me away from Christianity - I'm sort of a pagan American Indian at the moment, but watching FUMC in our little town may turn me back into a Christian. This is what a church is supposed to be.

[RevCheesehead]

48. Yup - Faith in Action

(as opposed to Faith Inaction).

Glad you're seeing the Spirit at work. Maybe pay them a visit tomorrow morning? :hi:

[silverlib]

27. I second this

UMCOR is amazing - aren't their headquarters in LA? (could be mistaken).

[RevCheesehead]

28. They have a relief station at Sager Brown, LA

but their main office is in New York City.

[silverlib]

49. Thanks!

Sager Brown was what I was thinking about.

[Pacifist Patriot]

11. Personal Experience....

Remember that the plural of anecdote is not data, so take this as you will.

I have been involved in hurricane recovery and relief since Hurricane Hugo. I have never understood how the Red Cross has maintained a reputation for immediate response. They are neither equipped nor organized for immediate post-disaster rescue and recovery efforts. Do not count on the ARC showing up for at least 4-5 days.

They can be good for the long haul.

BUT

They are sensitive to efficiency and operate with economic needs in mind, not necessarily humanitarian needs.

Example: Yesterday they announced the closure of several Galveston- area small independent shelters in order to move these victims to larger facilities in Houston. Of course this would result in a more efficient allocation of resources and assistance but does not take into account the relationships formed over the last several days (among victims, among relief volunteers and between the two groups). It also does not take into account the burden on the Houston city school system which could be alleviated if the smaller shelters were left around Galveston. (For the record, I do believe the independent operators plan to continue their shelters with or without ARC help if any of the victims wish to remain.)

The American Red Cross can do good work. I just don't think it necessarily does the work it is typically understood to do. And no longer does it in a way that is most psychologically and emotionally healthy for victims.

If possible I assist organizations working on a smaller scale. They can be amazingly effective.

[idiosyncratic]

12. There was a huge scandal here in San Diego County after a fire

a few years ago. The money was collected but not distributed to people who lost their homes when 10,000 acres burned.

The CEO of the local Red Cross, who made more than $300,000 per year, was fired. I was horrified that she made that kind of money -- to run a non-profit organization.

I wouldn't trust the Red Cross, even though they supposedly cleaned up their act after they got caught here . . .

[Lone_Star_Dem]

37. Was this the 2001 Alpine fire?

That was a huge scandal.

The National Red Cross stepped in finally and fired the entire board of the San Diego chapter.

It was the first time ever that the National Red Cross had felt they needed to do something like that to the American Red Cross.

[idiosyncratic]

40. Yup. That was the one.

They got caught because a family that was burned out of their home was featured in a Rred Cross TV ad asking for donations.

The woman pictured in the ad, who lost her house, and who had received no money from the Red Cross, was a lawyer (IIRC) and she raised hell.

The rest is history . . .

[Lars39]

13. FEMA was pushing Operation Blessing a few days ago on CNN.

[Wind Dancer]

26. Operation Blessing is a Pat Robertson operation. n/t

[Lars39]

42. Yep. Hard to believe US government is pushing us to give to Pat.

[Joy Anne]

14. my history with the Red Cross

I haven't given a nickel to the Red Cross since 1958, when after I gave my coins, as solicited by my junior high on behalf of the Red Cross, I read in the newspaper that the president of the Red Cross was paid $100,000 a year, an unimaginable pile of money in 1958. I was disgusted with how many schools full of little kids with a nickel it would take to pay that salary. (I had it figured out at one point.)

[Cornus]

30. The Red Cross president/CEO...

...Marsha Evans has a salary of almost a half million $$$$ per year.

http://www.charitynavigator.org/index.cfm/bay/search.summary/orgid/3277.htm

[Clovis Sangrail]

39. from the same page

that's .01% of their functional budget

Second Harvest's CEO is getting paid $325,000 which is .06% of their functional budget.

I think it's impossible to have no fat in the larger organinzations
(not that that excuses it)

[Joy Anne]

46. why?

Why would someone drawn to charitable work want to be paid that much money? Why would a charity pay somebody that much money?

Let's have some moderation, folks.

[goclark]

34. Same here - when I was in Switzerland

years ago I was shocked to see this massive building.mansion that overlooked the lake.

Here I had been encouraging my class of 2nd graders to give their pennies to the RC and they are living in luxury in Switzerland!
I could not believe my eyes.

Don't forget that Elizabeth Dole (GOP) had that cushie job as head of the RC for a few years.

Red Cross was not visible in New Orleans as far as I could tell.
They claim they were told the city wasn't safe or something like that story ---not one penny will I give them.

Note: Just heard that they raise over $2 Million so far for Katrina.

[dsewell]

15. Two more options

AmeriCares

Mennonite Disaster Service

both organizations with extensive experience in post-hurricane relief.

[gulfcoastliberal]

16. I think the scandal was the United Way, not the RC

Seems to me like the United Way is one big scam. They collect money and just give it to their executives. WTF have they done for all the hurricane victims over the last year? Diddly squat - here in Pensacola after Ivan I never saw any United Way people/services helping with the disaster. The Red Cross WAS here and DID help, as much as they could. They came after Dennis, too. F the United Way!

[Bobbieo]

29. Red Cross in the 60's

As a footnote to my experience with the Red Cross in Sacramento - my United Way boss recommended me for a full time position with the Red Cross as their PR person. During the luncheon interview the RC director, who was a great fan of the First Lady of CA Nancy Reagan, asked about my birthday.

"Oh, you're an Aries!". End of interview!!!

Never heard a word from her.

[elehhhhna]

19. Why is their Director paid $651,900.00 per year, then, dammit?

[cornermouse]

20. There are other organizations.

I had already decided to go with one of them.

[mongo]

21. Why am I not surprised?

Is the gutting of the RC due to decreased funding from the feds? Funds being diverted to "faith based" organizations?

We all need to hammer Bush and his department of homeland security that we spent billions on - for what?

Just more incompetence and cronyism, I guess...

[Igel]

32. I think that the Red Cross (which is wholely private)

ran into hard times after 9/11.

They campaigned for money for NY victims.

They paid out money.

They also took out general overhead. And they set aside reserve funds. And any money not specifically earmarked, I think was put in their general fund.

People didn't like it.

I don't like the Red Cross for a few reasons. Mostly the blood donation staff I've run into have been incompetent.

But at times like this, it's one of the few games in town.

[Greyhound]

22. K & R

[renate]

24. America's Second Harvest

One of my long-time favorites. Normally 98% of donations goes directly to their programs instead of administration or fundraising, and their website says that 100% of the proceeds raised now will go to hurricane victims:
http://www.secondharvest.org/

Every dollar pays for the distribution and delivery of four bags of food donated from grocery stores and manufacturers.

[IdaBriggs]

31. I want to know where the funding comes from -- their web site

talks about all of the companies who donate, but I've always been under the impression they also received money from the feds. Anyone know the answer to that?

[Eloriel]

69. I'm sorry, Ida. My RC contact has absolutely no idea. She said that's

a good question and in fact she'd like to know too.

:shrug:

[cami715]

36. Remember after 9/11

The Red Cross used only about one-fourth of the money donated for victims of 9/11 and their families. The rest they put in their funds to use for war time. Very interesting since we were not at war at that time. I think Senator Elizabeth Dole was the head of the organization at the time and she is a Bush ass-kisser.

I would never contribute to the Red Cross.

[leftchick]

43. I have been suspicious of The RC since Dole ran it

a HIGH six figure salary for a position like that? OMG!

The fact that they asked for cash and are not accepting ANY physical and material help from outside entities is a HUGE red flag!

Folks they are going to reap a windfall out of this like they did in Baghdad after shock and awe through bremers CPA.

They are masters at funneling Billions of our tax dollars to their corporate cronies. bush asking for cash is highly alarming.

At this point I really do not know where to send a donation te system is so highly corrupted.

Excellent post Eloriel and nominated!

[mnhtnbb]

47. I now regret making a donation

I waited for a day or two to see what organizations would step up on this because ever since E. Dole ran the Red Cross, I've been suspicious, too.

When the tsunami hit, I made a donation to Doctors without Borders.

Now I regret having made a donation to the RC this time. For my money, they should have told FEMA--"The hell with you. We're going into New Orleans, with a film crew. What are you going to do, shoot us?"

I'm very disappointed they've towed the Repuke line. No more money to the RC from me.

[IdaBriggs]

50. Please don't feel bad about the donations -- they are needed!

The problems are from "budget cuts" -- your money will help!!!

[struggle4progress]

53. But the American Red Cross has a recent history of fundraising scams:

collecting money for disasters for which they do not engage in much relief work, unauthorized use of disaster victims' names and photos with claims that these are typical recipients of Red Cross aid when in fact the people in the photos didn't receive a penny from the Red Cross. There are just better organizations to donate to ...


... Red Cross officials then closed the Liberty Fund, which had received pledges of $543 million and spent $147 million on September 11 relief efforts-- less than one third ... http://www.pbs.org/newshour/bb/business/july-dec01/redcross_12-19.html

... What they didn't know, though - don't know to this day - was that the same month the blood bank was appealing for blood, it sold 650 pints - half its monthly blood collection - at a profit to other blood banks around the country ... In Waterloo, Iowa, the American Red Cross sold six of every 10 pints collected last year to other blood banks ... http://www.bloodbook.com/part-1.html

... Based on his experiences in the 1989 earthquake, former San Francisco Mayor Art Agnos has become a prominent critic of Red Cross fund-raising and spending practices. "I found the Red Cross exploited the situation to raise money for their own interests," Agnos said. "We forced them to return $23 million because the outcry was so fierce" ... http://utawards.signonsandiego.com/alpine-jacob%20aug14.htm

[struggle4progress]

51. 10-to-1 now-Senator Elizabeth Dole played a big role in politicizing ..

.. the Red Cross during her tenure as President ...

[bliss_eternal]

52. I'm in the process of collecting resources OTHER than

Red Cross, because too many DU'ers were getting this distinct impression. That things just weren't right with them.

I'd rather give my money where I know it will really help those that have been so devastated...

Thanks so much for posting this. Kicked and nominated!

:hi:

[BQueen]

54. The CASH ONLY!!! meme had been bothering me

A LOT...and my mother, who is 86 and doesn't recall ever hearing that from RC before. Even more suspicious in that they had the explanation right there---cheaper and easier to purchase on site -- which sort of makes sense until you realize that they are going to have to truck things in anyway, so there really is no savings....

[KoKo]

55. Not my choice to give to....because of it's closeness with Repugs...but

many feel comfortable with it.

I did a post the other night about not wanting to give money to any organization that might support the Repug Party. Many were upset with my post and it was locked. I said I wanted to give to organizations that supported Democrats...and that's why my thread was locked (I understood that...because I was in "rant mode" so I sounded very extreme in my post an offended many, including you, Eloriel.)

But, if I had reposted I would have been clearer that some organizations that so many of us trust because we grew up with them, and believe their advertising propaganda are sometimes, in these Bush days, quesionable as to where they use their money. To me Red Cross and Robertsons many Charities are on my list of ones I wont be giving to. Doesn't mean that others shouldn't give to whomever they want...but it's good they know before they give.

I'm giving to individual groups that are taking in families...where I have higher hope my small donations will make a difference. Sometimes standing back and looking at your own community that might have some funds is better than rushing to give a donation to what scrolls by on CNN or is featured as an "Aid Concert" in the media.

Thanks for this post. I hope you understand a little better where I was coming from in my original post even though I didn't express my feelings clearly and came off harsh and unfeeling, in it.

[stickdog]

56. The International Red Cross is FAR better. The American Red Cross

is now basically a corrupt Repuke money stealing front.

[titoresque]

57. kick n/t

[sam sarrha]

59. where is the RC money Going to...???

[stilpist]

61. Oxfam America is another possibility.

They are affiliated worldwide and are often active in places like Darfour, but you can designate that your donation be used for Katrina relief.

[Karmadillo]

65. Kick for this one. Excellent suggestion. Here's a link for those

who'd like to know more about this organization.

http://www.oxfamamerica.org/

[Me.]

62. Kick n/t

[mcscajun]

64. Damn! I just donated all my air miles yesterday to the Red Cross

:grr:

Well, Maybe, just maybe they'll do the right thing with them. :sigh:

[Greyhound]

66. Kick

this is important. :kick:

[CountAllVotes]

67. I managed to withdraw my donation to the Red Cross

I sent it to Catholic Relief instead. Whether you like Catholics or not is irrelevant, they have been there this whole time. Lots of Catholics in New Orleans and throughout Lousisiana ...

They had a black bishop on talking about how they were in action and helping - this was several days ago btw. Several ...

:kick:

[BrklynLiberal]

68. Thanks you for this info. I have sent this out to everyone on my email

list.

[Eloriel]

70. Gov. Blanco has set up a Foundation to accept donations

I would encourage people who haven't seen this article to read it very carefully, esp. what the Bush Administration tried to do to her Friday night after allowing DAYS to pass without getting aid and resources to her people:

**** WP, A01: White House Shifts Blame #
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=102x1750979
(see several posts, incl #20 for FEMA,
Link: http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2005/09/03/AR2005090301680.html

I'm so glad she had the presence of mind to resist.


Saturday she hired James Witt, and that was very smart as well. And the other thing she did (tho I don't know if it was Sat) was to set up this foundation to accept donations for Louisiana victims:
From the official website of state of Louisiana:

The Louisiana Disaster Recovery Foundation has been established in order to help provide immediate assistance to our citizens in need through a network of Louisiana charities, non-profit and governmental agencies, including clearinghouses like the Louisiana VOAD (Volunteer Organizations Active in Disaster). The Foundation is also designed to support long-term family restoration and recovery by focusing on education, housing, health care, legal assistance and jobs for Louisiana families whose lives have been altered by Hurricane Katrina.

By postal mail, please make donations payable to Louisiana Disaster Recovery Foundation, Inc. and mail to:

Louisiana Disaster Recovery Foundation, Inc.
Fed. Tax ID No. 20-3399944
c/o Division of Administration
1201 North Third Street, Suite 7-240
P.O. Box 94095
Baton Rouge, LA 70804-9095
Inquiries may be directed to: [e-mail]

http://www.katrina.louisiana.gov/donate.htm


To my knowledge, the Red Cross STILL hasn't been allowed anywhere near NO, and that (again) is under the control of FEMA.

I wasn't aware of the LA foundation when I posted this thread, but I think it's one of the better places (among many, no doubt) for people to donate their hard earned money for victims.

This is my last post at DU for a while. I have work to do elsewhere documenting key Katrina information. Thanks to everyone for your interest in this subject -- and thanks also to my RC friend for her interest in sharing information.