via Boing Boing: One More Reason To Hate The Salvation Army:

[baldguy]

Salvation Army and other charities require proof of immigration status before needy kids can have toys

Before you give any money to the Salvation Army this year, remember, they run a program where kids are only given toys if they can present a valid birth certification or immigration papers, so that the children of illegal immigrants are punished for their parents' deeds. At Christmas. While other kids are given toys. That your donation paid for.

In a year when more families than ever have asked for help, several programs providing Christmas gifts for needy children require at least one member of the household to be a U.S. citizen. Others ask for proof of income or rely on churches and schools to suggest recipients.

The Salvation Army and a charity affiliated with the Houston Fire Department are among those that consider immigration status, asking for birth certificates or Social Security cards for the children...

...

As Patrick sez, "Evidently, I missed the part of the New Testament where Jesus instructs his followers to check people's immigration status before rendering charity to them."

...

The point isn't to punish the children but to ensure that their parents are either citizens, legal immigrants or working to become legal residents, said Lorugene Young, whose Outreach Program Inc. is one of three groups that distribute toys collected by firefighters.

more:
http://www.boingboing.net/2009/12/02/salvation-army-and-o.html
http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/metropolitan/6746254.html

Merry Fuckin' Christmas
:banghead: :banghead:

[MineralMan]

1. S.A. sez: Hey! You little brown kids! No toys for you!

Feh!

I guess they have a copy of that Bible translation that has Jesus saying, "Suffer, little children..."

[bluestateguy]

2. And therein lies the problem with charities

They can pick and choose who they help. If they decide somebody or some group is not "worthy" of help, on whatever basis, then they are free to not help them.

That's fine for private organizations. It's their right, but this is why I am uncomfortable with people who say that government social services should be abolished, and allow the private charities to pick up the slack. Um, no.

[petronius]

7. Excellent point. We give to a number of private charities, and I'm willing to cut

some slack on policies I may disagree with as long as the group has a good track record of getting high percentages of donations to the intended recipients, but private-only or even private-mostly is definitely not an acceptable national policy...

[demosincebirth]

8. Thats true, but i have never heard...

of a "christian" charity picking and choosing what poor they help.
I volunteer for St. Vincent de Paul and Catholic Charities and never have I heard or seen them asking for proof of citizenship. Mostly, who we service are immigrants and we have free dinning rooms
in the inner cities. No Questions ask. If you're hungry and need help...come on in. We do our best.

[Echo In Light]

3. Wonder if this one will see the Damage Control going on in the other?

[tosh]

4. Hey, thanks!

That really sucks and I was actually defending SA :blush: in a post the other day.

Happy to be enlightened, I am.

[Skelly]

5. An unfortunate sign of the times

Most charities require some form of identification, either directly or indirectly (family sponsored by a known member, etc)any many require proof of need. Unfortunately, there are many (having worked for years with non-profits and charities, I have personally seen it happen) who will fraud charities...sign up at multiple locations for numerous children they do not really have in order to re-sell donated items. Because of a few, others suffer. Charities (SA included) want to see their donated items go to the intended recipient.
I have some problems with SA's policies, but I do understand why this one is in place. And you need to keep in mind, this is a public policy intended to reassure those who DONATE to SA their donations going to whom they intend. Many children who would not otherwise have a joyful Christmas morning, will because of SA.

[Joe Chi Minh]

9. It sounded incredible, but your post makes sense of it.

[baldguy]

12. But they're not checking ID to verify need, just immigration status.

[TCJ70]

13. That's just not true...

...the purpose of the ID is to stave off fraud. This is especially important in larger cities where there are more than one distribution center. The collection of information is used to prove families are who they say they are (possible with any form of ID) and to stop people from going to multiple centers collecting and taking resources from other families in need.

http://content.usatoday.com/communities/ondeadline/post/2009/12/in-houston-toys-for-needy-kids-may-come-with-immigration-check/1

[baldguy]

14. From the original article: "The point isn't to punish the children..."

"...but to ensure that their parents are either citizens, legal immigrants or working to become legal residents, said Lorugene Young, whose Outreach Program Inc. is one of three groups that distribute toys collected by firefighters."

I don't see anything about checking for fraud there.

[Skelly]

15. Then do the research

You will find a lot more info than provided here. Do not just take for fact what you read at DU or any other website. Find out for yourself. You will be amazed. What you read on any blog/web site is a lot like eating chicken.....eat the meat, spit out the bones.

[baldguy]

16. Do you know what "OP" means?

[Skelly]

19. OP

Original Poster

[proud2BlibKansan]

17. I did do research

This isn't about fraud, it's about making sure children who were not born here in the USA don't get Christmas presents from this 'christian' organization.

It's despicable, it's disgusting and I can't believe that any progressive would ever support this. This makes me so angry I can't even put it into words.

It's Christmas and these are children. Good God, who are we as a culture that we are actually this selfish??

[Dogtown]

6. Contact the Salvation Army (Western Territory):

Email contact form addy:

http://www1.usw.salvationarmy.org/usw/www_usw.nsf/fm-contact



They can be called or snailmailed at:

The Salvation Army
USA Western Territory
180 East Ocean Blvd.
Long Beach, CA 90802
562-436-7000


Text of my email:

"I have heard, with shock and alarm, that the persons responsible for distributing donated toys are requiring proof of citizenship before presenting the donations to specific children.
(http://www.boingboing.net/2009/12/02/salvation-army-and-o.html)

I find this policy of "profiling" to be extremely offensive. Children are children, no matter how they arrive here, and none of those kids you disappoint will be comforted knowing they are being punished for their parents transgressions.
I am asking for a reply to this email: either explain the error in the report, explain how you plan to rectify this outrage, or justify breaking the hearts of children. You must understand that I personally will not find "logistics", "demands" or any other excuses acceptable: these donations that you are charged with distributing should be given on a "first come, first serve" basis, and on no other criteria.
Please be aware that I will not support any organization that practices racism.

If this report is true, shame on you!"



Please feel free to cut/paste if you like.

[1620rock]

10. Good God, I hadn't heard this...another bubble burst for me...

[nilram]

11. ooh, and check out their mission statement --

From their web site,

The Salvation Army, an international movement, is an evangelical part of the universal Christian Church. Its message is based on the Bible. Its ministry is motivated by the love of God. Its mission is to preach the gospel of Jesus Christ and to meet human needs in His name without discrimination.

I love that "without discrimination" part, makes me feel warm and fuzzy.

[Lone_Star_Dem]

18. In an attempt at damage control they're saying it's for fraud prevention

No, sadly, I'm not kidding. Is fraud protection really needed at a holiday toy distribution charity?

The Salvation Army wants a Social Security number from any member of the family of kids receiving toys to prevent fraud, says a spokesman.

"People have been led to believe that the Salvation Army is in the business of soliciting or checking for immigration status, when in fact we're not," explained Juan Alanis with the Salvation Army.

The Houston Fire Department, which collects toys for Outreach Program Inc, says immigration status is not a concern.

HFD Assistant Chief Adrian Trevino said, "When we get to this time of year and it's time to give back to the community, we don't really care what your immigration status is."

The toy distribution charities say they do ask for some form of ID -- a birth certificate, a consular card, a child's school registration -- to keep track of how much they give out, and to prevent fraud. But Outreach Program Inc and the Salvation Army say that if a family does not have documents, they will get some kind of help.

http://abclocal.go.com/ktrk/story?section=news/local&id=7146869