The American Red Cross is a world wide operation and to be able to help generally unlimited numbers of people whatever is needed on a ASAP basis takes a bunch of money, people, training and expensive equipment and a lot of storage space etc. etc.. I think far too many people don't understand that and are unfair to the Red Cross. Especially when they compare them to the Salvation Army, a great organization in their own right but not on the scale of the Red Cross.
Yea Gary I'm one that doesn't hesitate to compare the Red Cross with The Salvation Army. One is a bumbling bureaucracy overloaded with staff that only functions well at raising cash to fund their bloated needs and the other when needed rolls up their sleeves and gets to work with a minimum of funding. It's all about bang for the buck!
The Salvation Army is also a worldwide organization serving in 115 countries and territories. They are also in many cities across this country offering care to those in need. Offering social programs from elderly housing to daycare centers, addiction dependency programs, summer camps, counseling and more. Offering health care at hospitals, clinics, Invalid/convalescent homes and more. They also have schools, colleges , and universities...
And oh yea... They offer disaster relief services... Not just at the big ones like 9/11 & Katrina either. I will tell you that as a fire fighter their canteen truck often shows up at large fires serving coffee & meals to firefighters. They do it every day and they are good at it!
Gary if you don't believe me visit their website and spend a few hours looking at a fraction of what they do... Here is a great place to start.
Salvation Arny Statistics
Once you realize all they do, look for them in your community and nearby communities. You will be truly surprised at their quiet presence. You thought all they had was a Thrift Store huh? It's a large organization that funds itelf by ringing the bell and filling the kettle. Selling items at it's thrift stores and the link at the bottom of my rant.
This is from my earlier rant!
Red Cross CEO Marsha Evans
Drew a Paycheck of $651,957 (FY ending 06/30/03)
When 9/11 brought in the dough for them they caught a bunch of flack about holding onto the dough and not distributing it to those in need...
They were hard at work fixing up offices and getting new computers...
I recall a friend when I was in the service whose father died. he needed money to fly home for the funeral, The Red Cross "loaned" him the money he had to pay it back....
I'll tell you the one charity that I give money to...
The Salvation Army!
Their CEO takes a Salary that is a mear fraction of $651,957 a year!
They show up at disasters and serve food to the relief and emergency services workers.
9/11 Terrorist Attacks: September 11, 2001:
The Salvation Army was the first relief agency to reach Ground Zero, reporting within a half-hour following the first plane crash at the World Trade Center site. With its mobile canteens, counselors and thousands of volunteers, The Salvation Army served relief workers at the WTC site for over 9 months; leaving only when operations at Ground Zero officially concluded in May, 2002. In the course of the relief effort, dubbed "Operation Compassion Under Fire", The Salvation Army was granted full control of the feeding operation at Ground Zero and also distributed other essential items to relief workers. Perhaps most importantly, Salvation Army counselors provided emotional and spiritual support to rescue and recovery workers working under incredibly difficult conditions.
3.2 million meals served
39,000 TSA officers, volunteers and staff provided assistance
1 million volunteer hours provided
$90 million donated
Hurricane Katrina: August 29, 2005:
Hurricane Katrina made landfall on the Gulf Coast of the United States as a strong Category 3 storm on August 29, 2005. The storm proved to be one of the costliest and most deadly in U.S. history. Huge sections of coastline in Alabama, Louisiana and Mississippi were utterly devastated and approximately 1,600 individuals died as a result of the storm. The Salvation Army responded to the immediate needs of survivors following Katrina and other storms during the unusually active 2005 hurricane season. The Army continues to serve individuals and families affected by Katrina by coordinating long-term clean-up and restoration efforts, providing financial and social service support to hurricane survivors and offering spiritual and emotional care to those impacted by the disaster.
5.6 million meals served
2.5 million people assisted
$382 million donated
When I was a kid they even sent me to summer camp. I was one of six kids, dad was a low paid cop... A few of my brothers and sisters also went...
What has the Red Cross done for you besides cash your check?
This upcoming holiday season think about dropping some $$$ in the red Kettle...
You'll get some bang for your buck!
Put Some $ in the Kettle
By the way, this spring I will be contacting them to offer my donation of any plumbing work they need at their childrens camp.