All who have been bad mouthing the Red Cross

[Desertthorn]

I challenge you. The Red Cross needs trained volunteers, So far WE have sent 18000 volunteers (That folks who are not getting paid and eating the same food that they are feeding hurricane victims and who are sleeping in the same shelters) to the hurricane. We have fed 4 million hot meals to the survivors. We are staffing 580 shelters in 17 States and WE NEED YOU. This will be lasting for a couple of years and we will be feeding and sheltering folks for a couple years so you have no excuse.
Call you local American Red Cross office, sign up to take a Disaster Class and get trained then go on an assignment and then come back and tell us how bad the Red Cross is. I bet you won't. I bet you come back feeling great about yourself and the Red Cross.
If you don't know where your local Red Cross is, PM me with your zip code and I will tell you.
Oh, you have a full time job and can't go to the Hurricane? Sorry, they need local volunteers also to fill the shoes of those who can go, so that's no excuse.
Until then, I hope I don't see any more of these "my friend had a friend who got screwed by the Red Cross". Cause the Red Cross is nothing more than a bunch of great volunteers (96%) who are trying to help their fellow man. What are you doing to help?

[cleochatra]

Re: All who have been bad mouthing the Red Cross

I don't think there is any question that the Red Cross is a good organization. I think that with any not-for-profit you are going to have people and cynicism and distrust, especially when so many funds are pouring in from everywhere.

Volunteering for the Red Cross won't prove, as an example, that they are necessarily good stewards of the money, and it won't undo what is seen as a past transgression by someone who has perhaps had a bad experience where the Red Cross was concerned.

It would, however, be a good teaching tool showing how one person can change the world around them by taking the steps to make the personal effort to volunteer time.

I applaud everyone who has been involved in any way with helping the victims of this devastating situation, and I hope we can help many more through any means we see fit as helping those victims.

[mamakimberly]

Re: All who have been bad mouthing the Red Cross

I hope you aren't referring to my post regarding wanting to get the little boy to his mom.

If you are, let me assure you that I do not dislike the Red Cross. And let me assure you that I have definitely volunteered many hours helping Katrina victims.

[Desertthorn]

Re: All who have been bad mouthing the Red Cross

No, I wasn't pointing fingers out at you. The problem with giving the money to the little boy is that the Red Cross tries to be good stewards of the donated dollar and if they have 500 dollars for instance, and that $500 could feed 100 folks for a week or send one little boy to his Mom, ? Also, the problem is volunteers. Whoever you spoke to probably didn't know squat and said what came easiest. No.

[Iapetus999]

Re: All who have been bad mouthing the Red Cross

If you don't want to send money then don't...using every issue that RC every had as an excuse to not send money is just lame IMHO.

I will guaran-dang-tee you that there will be millions of misappropriated and even stolen money and goods during this crisis...it just happens and the people responsible will be replaced with other people who will also eventually make mistakes.
This is one of the worst disasters this country's ever seen...on par with some of the major city fires...so lets give the care workers a break for now.

[Finelly]

Re: All who have been bad mouthing the Red Cross

Desert -

When the International Red Cross (of which the American Red Cross is a member) recognizes the Israeli branch, called Magen David Adom, then I will be happy to volunteer my time and donate money. Unfortunately, that is not going to be happening.

Therefore, I decline your challenge. My family is donating blood, in-kind items, time, and money to several other organizations whose books are open and who do not spend large percentages on administrative costs. These same organizations also are not antisemitic.

Thanks anyway.

[sadie147]

Re: All who have been bad mouthing the Red Cross

Choose a charity of your choice, it is up to you to research and choose your charity. But in the end..the most important thing is that we give and help. it's not a religous disaster, or a poilitical one. It is a human one.

[Finelly]

Re: All who have been bad mouthing the Red Cross

it's not a religous disaster, or a poilitical one. It is a human one.

True. But one must stand fast on one's religious principles. Always.

[Heidi3]

Re: All who have been bad mouthing the Red Cross

Choose a charity of your choice, it is up to you to research and choose your charity. But in the end..the most important thing is that we give and help. it's not a religous disaster, or a poilitical one. It is a human one.

ABSOLUTELY!!! I can not imagine better words