I think those groups do certain helpful things, but I simultaneously feel the overall yield/benefit you get from your money is much greater with reputable local charities.
I think those groups do certain helpful things, but I simultaneously feel the overall yield/benefit you get from your money is much greater with reputable local charities.
The Red Cross and FEMA prevented island donors from bringing in supplies to the fire victims at safe drop off locations. That is how bad this is and was. Local relief efforts were hamstrung.
Amen to that! local local local. Twenty yrs ago I worked with a local church parallel to the big Red C after a fire. The RC was very unorganized and had some bossy, territorial people. They ended up being investigated for their use (mis-use) of the funds raised. There was no accountability. In our area they stood on the street corner and handed out gift cards to anyone that wanted one, no verification of address required so people way outside the fire damage took them, depriving those who really needed them. The RC leader for the county stepped down after an investigation was called for to see where all the funds had been used (or mis-used) ... didn't help that they posted her salary - hundreds of thousands. People were pretty perturbed.
The church, being local, was there for the long haul and able to have consistent contact. Samaritan's Purse was a big help for a couple wks.
I think those groups do certain helpful things, but I simultaneously feel the overall yield/benefit you get from your money is much greater with reputable local charities.
The Red Cross and FEMA prevented island donors from bringing in supplies to the fire victims at safe drop off locations. That is how bad this is and was. Local relief efforts were hamstrung.
Media coverage was garbage.
Amen to that! local local local. Twenty yrs ago I worked with a local church parallel to the big Red C after a fire. The RC was very unorganized and had some bossy, territorial people. They ended up being investigated for their use (mis-use) of the funds raised. There was no accountability. In our area they stood on the street corner and handed out gift cards to anyone that wanted one, no verification of address required so people way outside the fire damage took them, depriving those who really needed them. The RC leader for the county stepped down after an investigation was called for to see where all the funds had been used (or mis-used) ... didn't help that they posted her salary - hundreds of thousands. People were pretty perturbed.
The church, being local, was there for the long haul and able to have consistent contact. Samaritan's Purse was a big help for a couple wks.