CNN busts phony vet charity
CNN is finally doing something useful with it’s investigations – like busting the Disabled Veterans National Foundation. Apparently, they’ve taken in over 55 million bucks in donations and almost nothing has gone to actually helping veterans according to their IRS filings. And the money they have spent on veterans’ groups was almost useless;
“They sent us 2,600 bags of cough drops and 2,200 little bottles of sanitizer,” J.D. Simpson told CNN. “And the great thing was, they sent us 11,520 bags of coconut M&M’s. And we didn’t have a lot of use for 11,520 bags of coconut M&M’s. ”
Simpson said the DVNF also sent him more than 700 pairs of Navy dress shoes, which he said he can’t use
CNN obtained the bill of lading for that shipment, which showed that, among other things, hundreds of chefs coats and aprons were included in the delivery, along with a needlepoint design pillowcase and cans of acrylic paint. The goods listed in the two-page shipping document were things “we don’t need,” a US Vets spokesman said.
As we’ve shown here at TAH, with IVAW, IAVA and VoteVets, trading on veterans’ reputations is big business. Know who you’re giving your money to, and sometimes the traditional route is the best way to get money where it’s needed.
Category: Shitbags
I “got got” a few years ago by the US Navy Veterans Association (the founder of which was caught earlier this week) for $20 or so. Shortly after, Cancer Fund of America and other so-called charities started calling and sending donation requests. I checked out their tax forms and found an organization that employs a husband, wife, and at least one son who make 6 figures, and which spends millions on telephone contractors while giving mere thousands to cancer vitims and services. Needless to say, I’m cynical when it comes to any charity nowadays. Glad to see this one outed.
First off–I am on the “Do Not Call” List, so a lot of these “charities” are blocked right off, and the ones I do get I don’t give over the phone. I’m not huge on rules/requirements, but I think if someone was to send a mailing asking for support, they should be required to send a one-page disclaimer showing how much of their donations go to their intended recipients, major employees/salary, etc.
Hell, the CFC campaign listed the percentage of overhead on all their charities. That would at least be a start.
CNN – that’s one in a row.