-
Laurie, I also think we all agree. The waitress and the shoe shine guy should be helped. But unfortanately they won't qualify because they were not a "Victim" of the WTC or Pentagon. With over 1 BILLION dollars being donated to date, isn't enough, enough. Why should all the other charities be forgotten? Some of them might be able to help the waitress and shoe shine guy but can't now because they have been financially forgotten because their cause isn't in the national headline.
I do think we should of responded after the tradgedy but how much is enough and who is being accountable. Do we even know for sure the families of the victims are getting the money. Do they all financially need it.
I think major organizations that are jumping on the band wagon now are doing so for profit and not for the good of the country. How wonderful that Lowes is a donation location for the disaster relief fund but what about the other funds that keep homeless people fed, orphans clothed, animals from being killed, and even waitresses and shoe shine guys from being evicted from their homes when they can't pay the rent!
GOD BLESS AMERICA - not just part of it but ALL of it.
Feline, no offense taken. I am passionate about the BSA because of all the other attacks on it over the past year or two and I do see the value it gives to many boys who otherwise would have no guidance given in their lives. We teach trustworthy, loyal, helpful, friendly, courteous, kind, obedient, cheerful, thrifty, brave, clean, and reverent (The Boy Scout law). All attributes I think any parent would want for their son!
-
Ditto to everyone's comments about large charities!
I recommend (if I may do so humbly) that everyone give to LOCAL CHARITIES, like your local Boys and Girls Club, Lions Clubs, crisis pregnancy centers, and of course the local Humane Society. The Boys and Girls Club here in Aberdeen does a great job of finding mentors and food for neglected children. The local Lions Club (which I used to be a member of before I got ultra busy) paid thousands of dollars yearly out of their own pockets for needy persons to receive eye exams and glasses. We have a local crisis pregnancy center in town that does a marvelous job of counseling young women (and men!) in dire straits. And need I mention that your local church, temple or synagogue needs money as much if not more than the big charities do. We in America have no idea how much good and how much influence can be accomplished simply by working through the local organizations in our area. Maybe we can't influence the President of the US, but we can darn sure make our own neighborhood a better place to live, and if we all started to do so, pretty soon the entire US would be a different place than it is now.
Didn't mean to get on my soapbox, but this has been a burning issue with me for some time.
Thanks for letting me "air it out" here on PetTalk. This is by far the nicest and most courteous and thoughtful group of folks I've had the pleasure of talking to in a very long time. :D
