Goin SA from now on..

Thanks GrouchyOldFoxNews

And that's exactly why I don't feel bad for not donating to these organizations... even if the uninformed want to look at me like I'm a heartless ogre (cuz I'm really not an ogre, you know....)

I know that Princess since I had the pleasure of meeting you.

The only thing I'll give the American Red Cross is blood. My money goes to local charities, but I may consider the SA for some of it also.

I agree with you, but I gotta give the Red Cross credit for their work here in P'Cola after hurricane Ivan. Bravo Zulu!

OTH, when my wife and I feel like giving, we buy a sackful of groceries or some kids' clothes or stuff like that and leave it on the porch of people victimized by circumstance such as fire, flood, and such.

Oh, and when the Forrestal came in to NAS Cubi on fire with all those dead sailors in 67 (if memory serves), the Red Cross acquitted itself very well. That was a bad day all around, but they did their job and did it well as far as I could see.

I quit giving to United Way the minute my paycheck didn't depend upon it. I was so sick and tired of watching those movies that were made to make everyone cry and give money. We'd all get herded into a room to watch them... then handed papers and told we would give. Screw that. Never again.

I give privately now to small organizations I know of personally.

I stopped donating to the United Way decades ago; when I was in D.C. we got the standard propaganga meeting at the start of the annual campaign, and during the festivities I took a few minutes to read the handouts.

Turned out one recipient agency was "Bonabond" which was described as an organization which provided bonds for those unable to obtain them through normal channels.

So. We have a group of criminals who bondsmen think are too risky to post bonds for, and United Way sends my money (and yours) to an organization to get them out of jail.

Wrong answer.

Now I give my money directly to those organizations whom I deem worthy. The two at the top of the list are (in order): The Firearms Owners Civil Rights Legal Defense Fund and the Boy Scouts, with some local outfits coming in behind them.

The Salvation Army has long been lauded as one of the most effective charities worldwide. Like you, GOC, my charitable contributions usually get targeted to the Boy Scouts, the Salvation Army and a few other notable organizations. Oh, and I contribute directly. I refuse to give my money to a coordinating agency like the United Way or Combined Federal Campaign since they skim money off the top for their own operating budget.

My charitable contributions policy was formed one morning with the aid of an Air Force First Lieutenant.

The LT announced to our formation that 1) donations were being accepted for the American Red Cross and, 2) the First Sergeant would be making a list of names for extra duty on weekends. Not placing green-back paper in the contribution can would result in your name being placed on the "Volunteers for extra duty" list.

My money goes to the Salvation Army.

Long term donor to the Salvation Army in Australia because they give practical help to the needy without distinction as to creed. Then they did two things which upset me - protected one of their officers who was sexually abusing children and took a political stance against government reforms. Now my substantial annual donation goes to the Royal Flying Doctor Service.

Years ago I audited the books of one of the State Branches of the Australian Red Cross. The administration expenses were 70% of total revenue. Seventy per cent!!! Things have probably changed since then but the staff were the best paid charity workers in that particular city.

About the same time my teenage sister was a volunteer for the Red Cross and collected money for them. No matter how much she collected she was told it was never enough and she must try harder. They are a bunch of bloodsuckers.

50 years ago, I was a young Marine stranded in Albuquerque. How/Why are another story. I went to every organization looking for transportation back to the West Coast. The only one that would help me was the Salvation Army. They gave me train fare and dinner money to Los Angeles and bus fare to Santa Ana with only a promise from me that I'd pay them back as soon as I could.

I promptly paid them when I got the money from my savings account and they thanked me! I never support the money grubbing other charities. Saw the Army at Wal-Mart this morning, gave them some money and we wished each other Merry Christmas. They are the best, please support them.