I just KNEW it

[NastyWoman]

and sometimes I hate being right.  After Katrina I swore that the Red Cross would never receive another penny from me and I am glad I stuck to my guns.  They really haven't learned one bloody thing:

news.yahoo.com/red-cross-refuses-disclose-details-hurricane-sandy-spending-141853701.html

Trade secrets, my *ss.  Why do these people think they even exist? 

[buystoys]

ARC was one of our "competitors" when I worked for a non-profit.  What I learned there was enough for me to beg my family and friends to NEVER make another donation to American Red Cross again. 

[Formerly SK]

I had no idea.  Will never donate again. 

[Nazgul Girl]

   That's disgusting, but doesn't surprise me.  Their officials are paid more than medieval kings.

[Deleted]

Not surprising- we give closer to home, to charities where we know the people who run them and they're not riding around in limos.

DH refuses to give to the Red Cross because years ago when his stepfather was in WW 2 in Europe, they came in from a battle and the RC had coffee and doughnut and cigarettes (the cigs were donated by the manufacturers) and they wanted to charge for them. I heard a Planet Money podcast years later that said that they did that because the British soldiers had to pay for their refreshments and the RC was asked to charge, too, so the British wouldn't feel bad. Regardless, DH says there's a superstition among soldiers that you don't carry money into combat. I believe the RC were persuaded to hand over the goodies for free after a few rifles were brandished.

And I will now have nothing to do with UW anymore, either. I donated a little through work, but I'm done working for The Man and will give directly to charities without UW raking off a cut.

[Blonde Granny]

Athena, the same thing happened in Viet Nam with the Red Cross. When DH came back, we said he would NEVER give them any money and we haven't.

[sesfw]

Years ago (1950s) when I was a military brat a family was displaced because of a house fire.  Red Cross came and gave them a check ...... and a repayment schedule.

I've seen many occasions where RC charged for the coffee and refreshments ........ and Salvation Army at the next table gave things free.

I worked for SA for a while and know the good works they do.

[cronewitch]

Jun 27, 2014 18:12:22 GMT -5 sesfw said:

Years ago (1950s) when I was a military brat a family was displaced because of a house fire.  Red Cross came and gave them a check ...... and a repayment schedule.

I've seen many occasions where RC charged for the coffee and refreshments ........ and Salvation Army at the next table gave things free.

I worked for SA for a while and know the good works they do.

1967 my ex worked for Salvation Army and we had an earth quake. SA brought sandwiches and things to hand out. Red Cross sold things. I have never donated. I used to donate to SA because they gave him a job and us some food and clothing when we didn't have anything but I think I have paid them back and try not to give to big charities or anything religious because the religions take credit for all the help no matter who donates.