Where do your contributions really go?

Everyone with an interest in helping veterans in need might want to check out this story.
"Studies fault charities for veterans" www.msnbc.msn.com/id/22237666/
The story is from the Washington Post. The source organization is American Institute of Philanthropy, which has a website at: www.charitywatch.org/index.html

This isn't some crackpot group with an axe to grind because Congress is getting ready to hold hearings and one of the groups set to testify on these abuses is the American Better Business Bureau. Start doing some research and you'll find some fascinating facts such has how much money the various military charities, e.g. Army Emergency Relief, Navy-Marine Relief, are holding in monetary assets. Of course, anyone serving prior to the late 70's will remember the strong-arm tactics used to "solicit suggested contributions" from the members of the military. The strong-arming continued right up to the 1st Gulf War, but just more subtly -- can't speak for today but I would be willing to make a bet.

So anyway, check all this out and then think twice about where you spend your money, and urge anyone you know to be wary with their dollar. This is not to say there aren't good people out there doing good things because there are five military/veteran charities that earned "A" grades, but there are evidently a bunch who mainly use the dollars for their own gain.

Not saying don't contribute - just be careful.

I saw in the news today a 30 second spot about this very thing, I think it was on fox. The rest of the day every channel had continous coverage about the illegal drug use in sports.

I have declared the major networks, the largest terrorist organizations in the world. If they covered this like they do OJ there would be no problem.

Joe

This grabbing of funds by the military 'emergency relief' societies -- at least Army Emergency Relief -- continues to this day. Admittedly, as a civilian employee I am no longer hit up quite as hard as I was when I was wearing the uniform, but I still get hit annually. Pressure isn't quite as bad...no guard duty changes, Staff Duty NCO changes, or KP for civilians...but contribution/non-contribution to AER is noted...or such is the perception by most of the people that I work with.

With a return to troops ratio of less than 10 percent I have refused to give to AER for a few years now. 20 years AD and 23+ years DA Civ service allows me to care less about being politically expedient...and I don't really give a damn if the COL in charge gets his brownie points for 100% participation.

If AER would return even 50% of the money they take in it would be another matter.

I can't say I was surprised when I read that article. And neither was the lack of real news coverage about this problem any shock. Lets face it; we have only ourselves to help those men and women who need help.

Dave T
The Committee to Honor California Veterans
www.chcv.org

My wife was a volunteer for AER at one of my duty stations. One of the programs AER has in place is to provide monetary loans to soldiers who need them. Unfortunately, most of the loans are never repaid and there isn?t any method in place to insure collection of the money. Just another issue that is not in their favor as a ?charity.?

One of the programs AER has in place is to provide monetary loans to soldiers who need them. Unfortunately, most of the loans are never repaid and there isn?t any method in place to insure collection of the money. Just another issue that is not in their favor as a ?charity.?

I haven't called the local AER office today but when I was in...and when my son was in...and according to a couple of people that I work with that are still wearing the uniform all AER loans require a completed allotment form covering repayment before the loan is disbursed. The only way that I am aware of that a loan cannot be recouped by AER is if the service member is discharged prior to completion of repayment. In that case I suspect, but cannot verify, that AER has first call upon the final paycheck.

Also, just from personal perspective, don't know that I would consider a loan as 'charity.' Grants, yes.

The big problem is as stated in the original post...

Army Emergency Relief (AER) tops AIP's list of large asset reserve charities in relation to expenses with 17.6 years of available asset reserves and a fund balance of $307 million as of 2005.

Any 'charity' that can run for 17 and a half years without taking another dime in isn't doing their job as a charity...but they are sure doing their job in empire building.