A few thoughts on giving to help those in need. Recently a group of people set up a table outside my workplace to collect money for disaster relief in Haiti. I became suspicious when I saw that they were collecting cash. Lots of cash. People who went about their daily rush, and feeling guilty about the situation in Haiti, combined with the heartbreaking photos the group posted, were filling the large jars at rapid pace.

I was even more concerned when I overheard one of the volunteers tell a donor that this was their only location! (Hopefully he meant locally, as they claim to be an international agency). Also, I must admit i did find it amusing when they asked if they could bring their collection table inside because it started to drizzle rain outside. I mean, really! What kind of disaster relief people are that wimpy? Perhaps I'm just cynical because I had to stand for days on end on a hot airport tarmac in New Orleans in blazing heat/sun while attempting to help people affected by Hurricane Katrina.

I know that readers of this blog are not gullible or stupid to fall for this, but I'll put it out there: don't give cash to an organization that you are not completely sure is on the up and up. Most reputable organizations do not accept cash. The obvious exception to this rule is the Salvation Army that puts out their buckets during the Holiday season. "Christmas" to Bill O'Reilly fans. And those red pots are strictly monitored and the volunteers are thoroughly checked out.

As a Red Cross volunteer we are not allowed to accept cash or checks- EVER. We can tell the donor to call the 800 number or to go online. I cannot tell you how many people have stopped me during a disaster and offered me a contribution. During Katrina it happened almost daily. They see the vest with insignia and think that I can take their money and it'll be in good hands. I'm sure there have been a few rotten ARC workers who have taken advantage of that in the past. No organization is perfect.

It turns out this relief group that set up shop in front of our store seems to be legit. AMURT is their name, though I've not heard of them before and they claim to have started in 1975.

I've given my money to Red Cross and Oxfam and I've signed up to volunteer to go to Haiti if they end up needing people. They probably will need people since I'm sure the International is over-stretched.

So, I hope that all of you reading this have contributed a little something. Times are tough for all of us - so when you give that dollar or two, make sure it's going someplace that will use the money for Haiti relief and not end up in, say, a strippers thong.


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UPDATE:

I checked this site and could not find ANY mention of this AMURT organization.