If we can't trust the Red Cross, who can we trust ??

[kentuck]

I recall when Libby Dole was head of the Red Cross and she was raking in over $500,000 per year plus benefits. That seems like a lot of money to pay someone to run a charitable organization, but maybe that's just me? And I've read that less than 50% of the contributions to the Red Cross, much less in fact, actually go to helping people? Could that be true? Has the Red Cross become a branch of the Republican Party? What is the truth?

[babylonsister]

1. RevCheesehead posted this earlier-good info:

100% of donations go directly to relief with UMCOR
http://gbgm-umc.org/umcor / United Methodist Committee on Relief

(our church apportionments pay for the organizational costs)

Alert

[Reverend_Smitty]

2. Catholic Charities is a great organization

I know there is a lot of anti-Catholic sentiments on this board but this is a fabulous charity and unlike the Red Cross who provides temporary shelter, Catholic Charities is in it for long term assistance.

According to their website about 90% of the proceeds will go directly to the victims http://www.catholiccharitiesusa.org/news/katrina_faq.cfm

[Kurt Remarque]

4. the salvation army goes into the worst places to help

anyone. red cross comes off like a charity for country-club republicans

[DoYouEverWonder]

15. The Salvation Army gets my vote

they actually planned ahead and stocked in extra food when they saw the hurricane forecast for this season.

[BQueen]

3. Must say it makes me suspicious with all the "CASH ONLY"

language...
also heard that the Salvation Army does a much better job getting people on the ground with practical and accessible help. (a poster last night basically said that "if you want to walk a couple miles over rubble for bureaucracy, go to the RC. If you want someone to give you some coffee, a blanket, and to help find housing and a job down the road, go to the SA.")

Not that I'm all on board with the SA, but in these circumstances I'm hoping their discrimination won't show...

[laureloak]

5. Check your state's website. The State of NC has a program

that donates directly to the cause with no administration fees. The Republican party and Bush are promoting the Salvation Army because it's faith-based.

[charmsicle]

6. Y'all need to stop freaking out

The Red Cross is running the Astrodome in Houston - they were the ones that set that whole thing up for the refugees. They've set up tons of other shelters as well.

They are not evil. They DO however, have to do what the government tells them. And if says you can't go into NO, then they can't go. Right now, the Feds are finally doing their jobs - this disaster is their responsibility.

This doesn't have to do with who's contributing money to who and where and oh! are they republican, or whatever. There's so much crap going on, and so much real blame to put on people and institutions THAT ARE ACTUALLY RESPONSIBLE. Leave the Red Cross alone.

[2Design]

12. you have to be able to get to the red cross - i did not see them

helping anyone on the highway, the convention center, dome, or in their homes - people need front line help
red cross will spend it outside of this disaster - they have gotten more than enough for current people

people need to find out how to fund long range a family in a home while they find work etc

[Dissent Is Patriotic]

7. yeah and why did bush keep saying "cash" donations,

what does that mean? does he just not know how real people pay for things, or did his handlers tell him to use the buzzword cash for some reason?

[2Design]

8. the one with harvest in its name is suppose to be good - check

these sites for its name
www.michaelmoore.com and www.moveon.org

also habitat for humanity could probably use help

[Rude Horner]

9. I, personally, can never bash the Red Cross

They helped me and my wife, and lots of other residents of our apartment complex with food and shelter when our complex burned to the ground. We had nothing for a week and they provided. I will never forget, and give to them when I can.

[Pallas180]

10. You can't trust the red cross. period -they cheated with money,

they gave out diseased blood and spread AIDS and HIV...

what more do you need to know?

[SeveneightyWhoa]

11. The only charity you CAN trust is..

..Operation Blessing.

For obvious reasons! ;)

[mnhtnbb]

16. Run by the good Christian Pat Robertson

Yeah, I'd trust the man with my money. He'd probably use it to buy a hit on Hugo Chavez.

[earth mom]

18. Don't think so-Not unless you want the money in Pat Robertsons pocket! nt

[tinfoilinfor2005]

13. Do not trust them, but donated to them anyway.

But have also donated to DUers who have taken in NO families. My donations are from the heart. If I get taken in, so be it. Nothing is perfect.

[earth mom]

14. I don't want to give cash, I want to give items

diapers, school supplies, books, etc. I think the money gets wasted and mismanaged by most organizations. There might be some good ones out there, wish I knew for sure.

[Generic Other]

17. Jimmy Carter's Habitat for Humanity?

President Jimmy Carter, who has volunteered for more than 20 years with Habitat for Humanity all over the world, said, “In all my years as a volunteer for Habitat for Humanity, I cannot think of a more important program than Habitat’s Operation Home Delivery.


<snip>

Habitat for Humanity will pilot the “Operation Home Delivery” project in September in Jackson, Miss., working with the local Habitat affiliate and others.

<snip>

For that, Habitat for Humanity International has issued an appeal for hurricane recovery and reconstruction donations. Using those donations, Habitat will build as many homes as it can fund.

“Just for understanding, $100 million will build approximately 1,500 homes,” said Reckford. “With tens of thousands homeless, you begin to see that we cannot do it alone.” That is why Habitat is exploring collaboration with others: professional builders, mortgage lenders, bankers, foundations, manufacturers, governments, etc., to work together toward larger, more effective affordable and attainable housing solutions.

http://www.habitat.org/newsroom/2005archive/insitedoc010602.aspx