On Apr 11, 2014, Bob1Dog wrote:
I volunteer as a bell-ringer for the Salvation Army every year at Christmas time. A superb charitable organization.

As for veterans organizations, there's a lot of hype about Wounded Warrior Project out there, but I've read that not all the money goes to the wounded warriors. I'd be careful with them without further research. Glad I didn't see them on the A-list in OP link above.

On Apr 11, 2014, w_s_anderson wrote:
I have done shows for the Wounded Warrior Project. One of the reasons they get a bad rap is the donated dollar to cause ratio is lower than others. This is partly because of the amount they pay for advertising, and celebrity endorsements. Granted, with the IAVA more of your dollar goes toward the vets, but the WWP is able to help more vets because of the sheer number of dollars they raise. I am in no way saying one is better or worse than the other. They are both great organisations, and both work for very noble causes.

IAVA has 80% of it's funds go directly to vets and raised just shy of 5 million dollars last year.

WWP has nearly 60% of it's funds go directly to vets and raised nearly 144 million dollars last year.

Both are far better than the Military Order of the Purple Heart which currently boasts an F rating and spends less than 25% of funds on veterans and has numerous instances of blowing money on their executives....one being getting a VIP booth to an NFL game for vets, then using it to hold a party for the employees of the charity, while not allowing the Vets in and making the Vets sit in the general seating area.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Military_Or......le_Heart

On Apr 11, 2014, irossall wrote:
I tried to Volunteer as a "Bell Ringer" for the Salvation Army. They would not let me work for free. I had to accept the 35% of the "Donated" money. I did not take the job. I still give to the Bell Ringers but it's not from the heart.
Iven

On Apr 11, 2014, General_Magician wrote:

Quote:

On Apr 11, 2014, w_s_anderson wrote:
I have done shows for the Wounded Warrior Project. One of the reasons they get a bad rap is the donated dollar to cause ratio is lower than others. This is partly because of the amount they pay for advertising, and celebrity endorsements. Granted, with the IAVA more of your dollar goes toward the vets, but the WWP is able to help more vets because of the sheer number of dollars they raise. I am in no way saying one is better or worse than the other. They are both great organisations, and both work for very noble causes.

IAVA has 80% of it's funds go directly to vets and raised just shy of 5 million dollars last year.

WWP has nearly 60% of it's funds go directly to vets and raised nearly 144 million dollars last year.

Both are far better than the Military Order of the Purple Heart which currently boasts an F rating and spends less than 25% of funds on veterans and has numerous instances of blowing money on their executives....one being getting a VIP booth to an NFL game for vets, then using it to hold a party for the employees of the charity, while not allowing the Vets in and making the Vets sit in the general seating area.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Military_Or......le_Heart

Thanks the for the info Anderson. I appreciate it! I might consider doing shows for the WWP, but I want to get to know their organization a little bit better. I know IAVA and it's a great organization so I volunteered my services to them.

I've never been told I have to accept 35% of donated money, ever. I'd report that to your state Salvation Army officials because it's not the norm I'm familiar with. I've never taken a dime except in the form of a cup of hot coffee from some nice soul. In fact, I'm going to report this to my local chapter of the Salvation Army. That's absurd.