teaman

The Red Cross has been around for many years, but as a retired VET, I can promise you they are not all they claim to be. You will find them located on just about every base especially overseas. In these places, they will run their business as a prophet. As the article implies, do your homework and be careful. In my mind, at least all charities should be giving 85 to 90%.

Days after former President Barack Obama urged his Twitter followers to assist the victims of Hurricane Harvey by donating to the Red Cross, multiple reports re-emerged suggesting donating to the humanitarian organization might not be the wisest option.

Thank you to all the first responders and people helping each other out. That's what we do as Americans. Here's one way you can help now.

— Barack Obama (@BarackObama) August 27, 2017

NPR pointed out that according to a 2016 study released by Sen. Charles Grassley, R-Iowa, the Red Cross bungled its response to the 2010 Haiti earthquake, wasting at least a quarter of donations on internal expenses alone.

Meanwhile, a 2015 investigation by ProPublica revealed that though the Red Cross claimed to have built 130,000 homes in Haiti with the half a billion dollars it raised, the humanitarian organization only built six.

“Confidential memos, emails from worried top officers, and accounts of a dozen frustrated and disappointed insiders show the charity has broken promises, squandered donations, and made dubious claims of success,” ProPublica reported.

The Red Cross also reportedly mishandled its response to the 2015 California wildfires, “showing up unequipped and unprepared, shutting down other volunteer operations, and then failing to provide promised food or shelter on its own,” according to Slate.

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Similar mishaps were reported to have occurred after the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks, Hurricane Katrina and Hurricane Sandy.

During an appearance Wednesday on NPR’s Morning Edition, Red Cross executive Brad Kieserman only added to the concerns by refusing to specify what percentage of each dollar donated to the organization goes to relief efforts.

“Yeah, I don’t think I know the answer to that any better than the chief fundraiser knows how many, how much it costs to put a volunteer downrange for a week and how many emergency response vehicles I have on the road today,” he told host Ailsa Chang.

When pressed by Chang about reports Red Cross spent only 25 percent of donated funds during the Haiti crisis, Kieserman continued to deflect, claiming he lacks “visibility” vis-à-vis the organization’s finances.

Some have suggested it would be better to donate to churches and local charities.

Before you send money to the Red Cross (my advice: don't) re Texas read ProPublica's advice on disaster charity.

— Dan Gillmor (@dangillmor) August 27, 2017

People looking to donate should “(t)ake the time to read up on” the group and “demand meaningful t***sparency,” ProPublica said.

“(I)f you’re willing to put in a bit of time, you can be a more informed donor and increase the chances that your money will reach those in need.”

https://www.westernjournalism.com/obama-recommends-people-help-hurricane-victims-donating-scandal-ridden-charity/?utm_source=Email&utm_medium=romulusconstitution&utm_campaign=can&utm_content=2017-09-01

saltwind 78 Loc: Murrells Inlet, South Carolina

teaman, The Red Cross isn't perfect, thats for sure, but they are usually first on the scene. I gave to the victims through a religious organization that I have faith in, The Jewish Federation. Do you have any suggestions?

S. Maturin

Anyone who takes the time to read first-person accounts of our soldiers in WWII- particularly the Pacific theater-- will see that it was often the case where the Red Cross set up next to the Salvation Army and charged for coffee/donuts, etc., while the Salvation Army gave away the same items to the troops.

As a college kid, I was conscripted to fight a forest fire and there was the Salvation Army.. right up there in the heat, muck, dirt.. and their refreshments were----free.

I do not recall seeing the Red Cross on that week-long struggle.

mongo Loc: TEXAS

I know your post was in response to seaman, but I would like to say that I personally think you
made the right choice of choosing an organization that you can trust. IMO, the Red Cross has
lost it's path and has become a non-profit corporation. We wouldn't need FEMA if they had
stuck to their original goal.

SEMPER FI

Trooper745 Loc: Carolina

My dad, a veteran of the Pacific, told me that happened to him when returning from the war. Actually the Red Cross had a giant banner that said "Free Coffee and doughnuts."

The coffee was free, but doughnuts were 5 cents. Salvation Army, with no big fanfare, was giving away coffee and doughnuts free.

Dad never passed a Salvation Army Kettle, for the rest of his life, without making a contribution.

Babsan

Wonder if the FRAUD gave a million or two?

goofball Loc: timbucktoo

Folks from my experience with the salvation army for many years, They are for real ! I go there every day and buy something, because I know it is going to help someone in need, and no BS.

JimMe

I was told by close friends who helped contain and put-out a wildfire many years ago, and even then my friends said the Red Cross operated like a For-Profit Corporation... They said never donate a dime to them... They suggested your Local Salvation Army instead...

moldyoldy

So, most people are saying donate to the red cross, but only Obama gets castigated for it. What about trump or all the texas politicians? Just more Obama hatred from i***ts.

Trooper745 Loc: Carolina

I don't give a flying rat's ass who says to donate through the Red Cross. I don't like the Red Cross, because they don't use all of the money to help the needy.

Look around, there are relief agencies that spend all, or very nearly all, of the money collected on those in need, instead of paying their corporate officers big bucks like the Red Cross does.

moldyoldy

Most charities are a ripoff, churches too. But why blame Obama?

zombietracker Loc: Fema region 6

Yep. Try the Clinton foundation

Louie27 Loc: Peoria, AZ

It seems to me this executive will not state the % of its contributions that actually go for actual help of people in need.

Louie27 Loc: Peoria, AZ

Just because the American Red Cross is holding an event at Mar Largo doesn't mean Trump is a fan of them. Also who on this site, besides liberals, have said contribute to the Red Cross.

moldyoldy

They are rated much better than the red cross.