I was reading the USA today and Texting Money to the relief funds seems to be a popular thing, but the cell phone companies won’t release the money until the cell phone bills are paid – which means at least 30 days until the billing cycle is over, then 60 days until the payables contribute money to the funds – is there anyone regulating such "fund raising"? Is there any education to consumer to let them know, not only are they charged text messaging fees but the money may not reach the victims in a timely manner?
That’s not entirely accurate, due in large part to the pressure of public opinion. See these:
http://philanthropy.com/news/prospecting/10670/cellphone-companies-advance-text-donations-for-red-cross-but-not-other-groups
http://globalhealth.change.org/blog/view/wireless_providers_respond_to_pressure_on_haiti
February 8th, 2010 at 10:10 pm
I won’t give a damn penny to Haiti. The place looked like sh*t before the quake and will long after the money is gone.
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February 8th, 2010 at 10:43 pm
One will never know whether it actually goes to Haiti…a lot of people will be jumping on the bandwagon and con people into thinking it goes to the disaster stricken area.
I would rather donate money directly to a proven registered non -profit org.
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February 8th, 2010 at 11:23 pm
I wouldn’t donate through text. It takes too long for the money to be used.
Neo, do you think anyone in Haiti COULD send you a sandwich, money, etc? Let’s be for real. It doesn’t take Obama appearing on TV for anyone to see how horrible Haiti is right now.
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February 9th, 2010 at 12:13 am
Thank you.
In the quest to make donations "easier" it may mean the money won’t get there quickly.
The good news is that the money will be there for people in a few months to rebuild their lives.
Speaking as a long time volunteer for domestic and international charities, and someone who sits on the boards of charities and gives to almost every cause there is, I need to tell you that when a crisis first happens, you need to collect as much money as you can, quickly as possible, before people begin to "forget" about the crisis or stop caring.
So this is very sad, but the money will be helpful in coming months.
Me: Did NOT give money for Haiti by "texting"
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NeoDraven:
a. Once again you bring up a good point….but we who deal with charity know that WHATEVER REASONS people decide to give, even if it is just being "trendy" or keeping up with the Joneses, you have to take the money…
b. Of more interest is what you said about Isabel. I am so very sorry. See, it ticks me off that AMERICANS and CELEBRITIES don’t do more for OTHER AMERICANS during crises. When flooding hit the southeast last year I was also disappointed that President Obama said nothing about it and did not visit those people. Even in the face of criticism did President Bush go and see Louisiana…Mr. Obama could have made at least as much effort. Americans SHOULD help people in other countries but we need to also TAKE CARE OF OUR OWN PEOPLE, TOO. Another good point.
February 9th, 2010 at 12:47 am
At least there Helping !
Your just Mean !
At least it will help better than Doing Nothing !
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February 9th, 2010 at 1:33 am
We must make sure that the Anti-American ACLU crowd doesn’t use this disaster to foist more Haitian refugees upon us.
We have enough of a problem as it is with our lesser classes. We don’t need to import more.
Say "No!" to Haitian refugees. You know if they come here on a "temporary’ basis, they’ll never go home. They’ll start dropping litter after litter of "anchor babies" and NEVER go home.
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February 9th, 2010 at 2:02 am
Just another way for the cell companies to make transaction fees and interest from holding the money for 60 days. Do you really think cell phone companies are doing anything for free?>_<
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February 9th, 2010 at 2:32 am
That’s not entirely accurate, due in large part to the pressure of public opinion. See these:
http://philanthropy.com/news/prospecting/10670/cellphone-companies-advance-text-donations-for-red-cross-but-not-other-groups
http://globalhealth.change.org/blog/view/wireless_providers_respond_to_pressure_on_haiti
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