Comments on: Don’t Donate to Katrina, 911, Hurricanes, Famines, or anything else… http://elliottback.com/wp/dont-donate-to-katrina-911-hurricanes-famines-or-anything-else/ Internet & Technology Sun, 22 Nov 2009 02:40:56 -0400 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.4 hourly 1 By: JyD http://elliottback.com/wp/dont-donate-to-katrina-911-hurricanes-famines-or-anything-else/#comment-4021 JyD Wed, 28 Sep 2005 16:52:43 +0000 http://elliottback.com/wp/?p=1031#comment-4021 I vaguely remember a similar issue with the Red Cross when an earthquake hit San Francisco. The Red Cross put out TV advertisements saying they were accepting donations to give to those affected in the city. The mayor went to the Red Cross and asked when they were going to distribute the funds. He was told the money they (the Red Cross) had collected was going to be distributed to fund international Red Cross operations. I could be wrong about some of the details, but the Red Cross got a lot of money using deceptive tactics. I vaguely remember a similar issue with the Red Cross when an earthquake hit San Francisco. The Red Cross put out TV advertisements saying they were accepting donations to give to those affected in the city. The mayor went to the Red Cross and asked when they were going to distribute the funds. He was told the money they (the Red Cross) had collected was going to be distributed to fund international Red Cross operations. I could be wrong about some of the details, but the Red Cross got a lot of money using deceptive tactics.

]]> By: Elliott Back http://elliottback.com/wp/dont-donate-to-katrina-911-hurricanes-famines-or-anything-else/#comment-3953 Elliott Back Wed, 28 Sep 2005 06:04:43 +0000 http://elliottback.com/wp/?p=1031#comment-3953 See, the problem is that there are two reasonable ways to help, if you so decide (which is another big argument): + In person, with your own skills and brute labour / resources, etc, working hands on. That's not feasible if you live nowhere near the disaster site, or can't get away. + Through some monetary contribution. But, then how can you trust that your money is being used well (efficiently, with some impact, not for the benefit of the org, but of the people in need, not being stolen, etc). It's hard to give for situations like this. I think it's also worth mentioning that the news of "latest disaster x" should not affect your decision to make a donation. Either you are the person who donates some money to charity for disaster relief, or you're not. Simply hearing about disaster x and giving money is direct application of the pathetic fallacy. See, the problem is that there are two reasonable ways to help, if you so decide (which is another big argument):

+ In person, with your own skills and brute labour / resources, etc, working hands on. That’s not feasible if you live nowhere near the disaster site, or can’t get away.

+ Through some monetary contribution. But, then how can you trust that your money is being used well (efficiently, with some impact, not for the benefit of the org, but of the people in need, not being stolen, etc).

It’s hard to give for situations like this. I think it’s also worth mentioning that the news of “latest disaster x” should not affect your decision to make a donation. Either you are the person who donates some money to charity for disaster relief, or you’re not. Simply hearing about disaster x and giving money is direct application of the pathetic fallacy.

]]> By: Elisa http://elliottback.com/wp/dont-donate-to-katrina-911-hurricanes-famines-or-anything-else/#comment-3933 Elisa Wed, 28 Sep 2005 03:11:28 +0000 http://elliottback.com/wp/?p=1031#comment-3933 Well sure, don't donate to the Red Cross if you don't want to, but that doesn't meant here aren't worthwhile ways to give. Have you seen this blog: http://gracedavis.typepad.com/katrinablog/ A woman with feet on the street n the South is going form shelter to shelter finding out what they need and who's there and whether they're receiving direct deliveries. She calls a woman in Santa Cruz on her cell and updates her. The Santa Cruz woman keeps the blog updated. You can, in this way, send supplies directly to shelters and families in need. I think Craig's List also has more community-based resources. I wouldn't abandon the idea of helping. I would seek alternate ways to help that you feel comfortable with. Well sure, don’t donate to the Red Cross if you don’t want to, but that doesn’t meant here aren’t worthwhile ways to give. Have you seen this blog:
http://gracedavis.typepad.com/katrinablog/

A woman with feet on the street n the South is going form shelter to shelter finding out what they need and who’s there and whether they’re receiving direct deliveries. She calls a woman in Santa Cruz on her cell and updates her. The Santa Cruz woman keeps the blog updated. You can, in this way, send supplies directly to shelters and families in need.

I think Craig’s List also has more community-based resources.

I wouldn’t abandon the idea of helping. I would seek alternate ways to help that you feel comfortable with.

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