A Veterans Group That Must Hate Veterans
The Pittsburgh Channel has the story of an investigative report by Channel 4 in that city about a charity (in name only) that is calling Pennsylvania donors, collecting tons of money, and spending mere pennies on the dollar on their charitable cause. The charity is Paralyzed Veterans of America, their fundraiser is Civic Development Group (unfortunately, of my state, New Jersey), and the story is sickening but all too common. The group has raised well in excess of $5 million, and spent at least 85% of that on telemarketing fees.
The reporter from Channel 4 in Pittsburgh asked Joseph Dornbock, the director of the "charity" if donors should be concerned, saying "they probably think that donation, most of that money is going to be used by the paralyzed veterans, and it's really not, isn't it?"
Replied Dornbock: "It's a common misperception that there should be an overwhelming amount of every $1. There are expenses along the way."
A "common misperception" that if you donate money to paralyzed veterans, that most of the money should get to, well, paralyzed veterans?
No. The only misperceptions here are that many donors still think that everyone in the charity world is out to help others, and that I thought I'd seen the depths that human beings could sink to in their quests to line their own pockets at the expense of good donors and needy recipients.
Please don't give to these telemarketing groups, especially those that purport to represent our veterans. 99 times out of 100, they're bogus telemarketers, representing only themselves, and they know that the nation is filled with sympathetic but unsuspecting donors who would never dream that the person on the other end of the telephone line isn't really as honorable or patriotic as the people they claim to be fundraising for (or from).
To find a reputable group helping our veterans, click here to learn more.
The reporter from Channel 4 in Pittsburgh asked Joseph Dornbock, the director of the "charity" if donors should be concerned, saying "they probably think that donation, most of that money is going to be used by the paralyzed veterans, and it's really not, isn't it?"
Replied Dornbock: "It's a common misperception that there should be an overwhelming amount of every $1. There are expenses along the way."
A "common misperception" that if you donate money to paralyzed veterans, that most of the money should get to, well, paralyzed veterans?
No. The only misperceptions here are that many donors still think that everyone in the charity world is out to help others, and that I thought I'd seen the depths that human beings could sink to in their quests to line their own pockets at the expense of good donors and needy recipients.
Please don't give to these telemarketing groups, especially those that purport to represent our veterans. 99 times out of 100, they're bogus telemarketers, representing only themselves, and they know that the nation is filled with sympathetic but unsuspecting donors who would never dream that the person on the other end of the telephone line isn't really as honorable or patriotic as the people they claim to be fundraising for (or from).
To find a reputable group helping our veterans, click here to learn more.
Labels: Civic Development Group, Joseph Dornbock, Paralyzed Veterans of America, Paul Van Osdol, telemarketers
posted by Trent Stamp at 8:49 AM
6 Comments:
We have a military veteran friend who was honorably discharged during the Vietnam era. He served in the US Navy while having dual citizenship (Canadian/US). He was born in Canada and his family moved to New York when he was a child and became dual Canadian and US Citizens.
After discharge my friend worked in the US for over 3 decades, paying US taxes and Social Security. When it came time to retire and apply for his pension he was informed that the US Department of Homeland Security had revoked his US citizenship and did not recognize his Canadian citizenship.
The Social Security Administration will not begin his pension payments until his citizenship issue is resolved. He has been trying to work this matter through the VA, his local representatives in government (congressional level) and directly through the Social Security Office. No one seems to know what to do, who should take action and who has responsibility. The DHS will not reply to his inquiries. Any ideas?
I'm ashamed to say I use to work for a telemarketing company (Xentel) that raised funds for similar kinds of "charities" and kept 90% of the money they raised for themselves.
Here's a thought, though ...
Why not amend the laws governing such telemarketing organizations and make it a legal obligation for them to disclose how much money goes to the charity and how much goes to the telemarketing company?
And not just some b.s. disclosure like "if you call this 800 number you can inquire ...," but a real, honest-to-goodness disclosure over the phone, right when the consumer is talking with them.
After all, there's all sorts of legal requirements that telemarketers have to comply with, and all sorts of disclosures they're legally required to make.
Why not require them to disclose their "take"? Is there any impediment that would prevent such an amendment to currently existing laws? Does anyone know?
One of the best things you can do rather than give give money to a telemarketing firm is to donate directly to the charity. Look them up on the web, do your homework and if you still feel so compelled send them a check directly.
I NEVER deal with telephone or mail solicitations. I check out the charity and send them a check directly. I also try to donate to local charities, where I can actually see the donations at work in the community.
Just yesterday I turned down a telemarketer for the Virginia state troopers. I explained to him twice why I'd rather give money straight to the charity if I support it, and he still didn't seem to understand, so he just chose one of his lines for when people say no. Finally I had to just explain again and hang up. He did at least identify himself as a paid solicitor...the first time I ever got one of those calls I pictured a reverse telethon with volunteers sitting there calling through the phone book.
There are so many more paralyzed veterans now from the war who do need help. It is a shame that this "veterans group" can collect money under the guise of helping veterans but spend most of the money on themseleves. Who would know if it weren't for your organization? Keep up the good work!
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