Deaths from hurricane

[tool fan]

From CNN:

After 5 days, if buses can get IN to the area, WHY AREN'T DOZENS OF TRACTOR TRAILERS TAKING IN TANKERS OF FRESH WATER AND DRY STAPLE FOOD?????????? HARRY CONNICK GOT IN HIS CAR AND DROVE RIGHT IN!!!!

I am appalled at how poorly this has gone after 5 days, and the top guy in charge says things are going relatively well.

MONEY.....one word MONEY. Celine Dion was asked to provide some money and she freaked out saying that the people needed food and water, not money.....Well honey, food and water cost MONEY.........I sent some $$$$'s to help, not much but something.

 

[Kirby]

I also donated. Sears is doing a 100% matching contribution, so I donated at the hardware store over the weekend. I will be doing another donation via our church. Every little bit helps.

 

[bmwrocks]

Why is it that an administration can spend billions of dollars of our tax money on a war in an Arab country that was based/started from lies....yet they ask you and me to DONATE to pay for disaster relief in our own country?

BTW, because I know our gov't run agencies are so incompetent, I have donated lots of clothing I had from my moving sale, and water I had stockpiled for hurricane season, and cash.

 

[epj3]

The problem with donating money is 100% never goes directly to the people, it goes to the government agencies (or charities) to decide what to do with it. I'd rather send clothing and most of all food, diapers, etc. At least 100% of that will get used.

 

[Kirby]

Actually, if you look back at history, in some disaster cases TOO MUCH of a particular item was donated and it went unused. However, in this case, that may be different because so many people are affected.

I do agree that some cash donations get diluted at best, or misappropriated at worst. My opinion is that mainstream, traditional churches (not televangelists!!) and the Red Cross are the best places to send cash and know that 100% of it goes where it was intended. In my opinion, United Way is the WORST place to send money. The % of donated money used to fund the organization itself is RIDICULOUS (close to fraud), at least in my area. To me, United Way is nothing more than a broker for donations, skimming money in the process.

 

[epj3]

Actually, if you look back at history, in some disaster cases TOO MUCH of a particular item was donated and it went unused. However, in this case, that may be different because so many people are affected.

I do agree that some cash donations get diluted at best, or misappropriated at worst. My opinion is that mainstream, traditional churches (not televangelists!!) and the Red Cross are the best places to send cash and know that 100% of it goes where it was intended. In my opinion, United Way is the WORST place to send money. The % of donated money used to fund the organization itself is RIDICULOUS (close to fraud), at least in my area. To me, United Way is nothing more than a broker for donations, skimming money in the process.

yea I agree on united way. Are you 'forced' to make a 'donation' through work? My mom and dad both were (mom worked for a public school district!!)

 

[Kirby]

No, the owner of the company encourages it but there is no pressure. All I have to do is point out the United Way agency scandals around here in the past five years and that puts an end to the discussion.

Two years ago, the Director of the Berks County Prison Society (haha!) was charged with embezelling $90,000 directly, and over $200K in excess wages, perks, etc. It is an agency that is 100% funded by United Way.

 

[Big Daddy]

United Way is the WORST place to send money. The % of donated money used to fund the organization itself is RIDICULOUS (close to fraud), at least in my area. To me, United Way is nothing more than a broker for donations, skimming money in the process.

Very true, I quit donating to them via payroll years ago when I found some truths about the % they claimed was administrative. Another good one, not hurricane related though is March of Dimes, very very low admin rate.

 

[epj3]

No, the owner of the company encourages it but there is no pressure. All I have to do is point out the United Way agency scandals around here in the past five years and that puts an end to the discussion.

Two years ago, the Director of the Berks County Prison Society (haha!) was charged with embezelling $90,000 directly, and over $200K in excess wages, perks, etc. It is an agency that is 100% funded by United Way.

Great!! Guess they got my dad's money, too (since he works in reading)

 

[skandalous]

Yeah, people down here don't need money. They need food and clothes. Maybe some kids toys and things like that, too. Anything would help these people.