Have just donated $NZ500 (approx. $US350) to this disaster appeal.
I challenge all a.f.w. regulars and/or lurkers to do likewise (or whatever is within your means).
My thoughts go out to anyone, directly or indirectly affected.
I know that there are thousands of European tourists unaccounted for - also over one hundred NZers "missing", hundreds of Australians and who knows how many Americans who sought an idyllic holiday in the sun.
Current death toll - 80,000+ - which may double!!!
... Could'nt afford that much, but I have made a donation, just heard on the news that Canadians have now given 8.4 m dollars to various aid agencies. Hope everyone's prayers & pockets go out to SE Asia.
I matched your donation by giving to the Croix Rouge. Cheque went out this morning (we still use cheques in this country).
Mike
Mike Tommasi, Six Fours, France email link
I've given to Oxfam America and Doctors Without Borders.
An excellent resource for disaster relief (at least for US citizens) is Network for Good:
Once you register, easy to send money quickly. While NFG does deduct 3% (it's a non-profit itself) , as a non-profit professional I can tell you that probably is less than it would take the non-profit to process a check. And this give you a clear and easy centralized way to track donations for tax purposes.
PS While all of these organizations do worthwhile work, I personally steer away from those with an evangelistic bent such as Salvation Army.
"DaleW" skrev i melding news: snipped-for-privacy@z14g2000cwz.googlegroups.com...
The important thing is that aid money is not siphoned off into "administration" and "expense accounts" and somehow I feel that the S.A. keeps very little for themselves (or have you seen their guys riding limos?)
Now, I've donated to the Red Cross and see that Norwegians so far have given over 17millUSD. Indonesia and Sri Lnka are the hardest hit and poorest to boot - they need us now. Small change for a westerner, big money for a destitute fisher. We can afford it.
Anders
Matched you twice to two groups: CARE and International Medical Corps. Hope everyone else here will do the same (or best they can, of course!) The current toll is now up to 118,000. Terrible.
"DaleW" wrote in news: snipped-for-privacy@z14g2000cwz.googlegroups.com:
Thanks for the pointer. I just made a contribution.
Bill Hogsett
WARNING, OT
Anders,
I do think that the SA is pretty efficient as far as administrative costs (though unlike secular groups like my own, in US they don't have to file IRS reports, as they are technically a church, so who knows). My objection is that their emphasis is on "salvation", not help. When I was homeless 17 years ago I went to an SA soup kitchen, once. To get a ticket to eat, one has to sit through a 90 minute church service. I decided I wasn't that hungry. I run a group that consists of more than
150 organizations (churches, synagogues, schools) dedicated to helping the homeless. More than half my groups are churches (running full spectrum of denominations). The only times I've thrown groups out was for evangelizing :I'm not opposed to faith-based charitable work, but personally prefer those groups that don't push a religious agenda (American Jewish World Service, Church World Service, etc are faith based, but don't proselytize). My objection to SA is that most people don't realize what they're funding.
One of the good things about the Network for Good is that administrative & fundraising costs are listed for those groups that file 990 forms.
best, Dale
Have just matched your donation of $US350 with a donation of our own to Mennonite Central Committee. Thank you for the challange!!
DONORS BEWARE Americans wanting to help people facing a humanitarian crisis in southeast Asia should send contributions to only those charities with an established track record of helping people in this region. During a highly publicized crisis, it is common for disreputable, fly-by-night "charities" to take advantage of the public's generosity.
The above excerpt is taken from
\/
DrinksForum website is not affiliated with any of the manufacturers or service providers discussed here. All logos and trade names are the property of their respective owners.