Donating to charity why bother anymore ?

[nicko61]

I remember when it was $3,000 to train the dogs, it's not the dog that are dumb it's the bum shiners in the offices that take up the funds.

yes we used to raise money for the blind dogs Australia, we used to get a plaque when we had raised $3000, funny thing was we all believed we were doing our bit in the pub, and a few years later my wife and i had moved interstate and decided to take one of their dogs to train, wow what a shock,we had to buy pup from approved puppy farm(joke) and raise it for a year paying all bills including vet bills then after kids were attached give it back so it could be trained by more volunteers ,we listened to this speel and walked out of room and went home and never gave money to them again even to this day 20 years later.
During this time(20 years) we both volunteered for Bundaberg Saint Vincent DePaul in the early 90's for about 12 months,,,wow talk about a bunch of thieves, what we saw i could write a book about but no one would believe it, let me put it this way ,in every country town they have several (sometimes dozens) of bequeathed homes from little old ladies that are not sold but rented out to senior staff and friends.

 

[The geezer]

The salvos that we always donate money to are generally volunteers and are seen helping our local community ! Indeed when my next door neighbour passed away they did the service and arrangements for free. Have a look at the charity and make your decision wisely.

 

[Guest]

I joined PMAV to help their/our cause, but I am having serious second thoughts after the Ian Plimer speech. Tell me Wombat, did PMAV pay him?

 

[wombat]

This years Laanecoorie Gold Bash, our expenses was $1,317.35, being only 7.07% of total raised, $18,648.50. And the total amount that we handed over to Peter Mac. $17,331.15. Peter Mac can't get over how we can raise this type of money with so little over heads. They tell us that our expenses can not exceed 30% of the overall funds raised.

I was also reading about a charity in Brisbane only a few weeks ago, that were raising funds to help fight and understand mental disease. This company was set up and run by mainly one family. They had purchase a Ferrari sports car, a Hummer, traveled to India 1st. class for a wedding and stayed in 5 star hotels. They also paid all they wages into the charity as a tax dodge and then got the charity to pay for food and their everyday over heads. They raised many millions of dollars per year all in the name of charity. The ATO has now cancelled their charity status and are doing a full investigation.
Wombat

Hey Wombat,
Why don't we raise money that will help us prospectors....???
PMAV, NAPFA and the likes to help fight the mongrels that want to lock us out of our hobbies.

The PMAV & NAPFA do raise money for exactly that course. I gather you have never been to either AGM's. At the end of the meeting they action of items to raise money to help fight to protect our rights.
wombat

 

[wombat]

I joined PMAV to help their/our cause, but I am having serious second thoughts after the Ian Plimer speech. Tell me Wombat, did PMAV pay him?

Sorry mate but that statement is not worthy of an answer.
wombat

 

[Guest]

I joined PMAV to help their/our cause, but I am having serious second thoughts after the Ian Plimer speech. Tell me Wombat, did PMAV pay him?

Sorry mate but that statement is not worthy of an answer.
wombat

Not worthy? Mate you sound like a politician.
Come on Wombat. Yes or no? As a member, don't I have a right to know?
Are you really saying that PMAV treats its member with contempt? If you don't believe I'm a member, I can PM you my details.

 

[Magilla]

About 6 years ago I was living in Far Nth Queensland. The local Rotary club ran a few events to raise money for cancer research due to the number of locals contracting the disease. A very modest amount was raised and was going to be sent to Sydney but the head honchos down there decided to send someone up to pick it up. The cost of the flight and subsequent accommodation plus dining charges was far in excess of the money raised, it left a sour taste in the mouths of the locals.

 

[kawman]

I hail from taree nsw.. the locals raised a lot of money to buy a dialysis unit for our hospital.. the government took it and put it in a hospital in Sydney... never was used here.. no more fund raising for us...

 

[The Green Wanderer]

Donating to charity, theres a quote from Steve Hughes here that I like "giving money to to charities doesnt make you morally superior it just makes you gulllable and conformist".
Needless to say I dont donate to charities unless I can see where that moneys going and theres precious few of those. My wife is also harrassed every few months by surf lifesaving australia because she donated a few years ago, now they have her contact details forever.
I do like the school chocolate drives they still do so the kids can travel for sports events and such, cant go past a caramello koala.

 

[blisters]

caramello koala from the fridge yeah

 

[Tassie Daz]

Sorry to take you to task OZZIII over the Salvation Army quote, but where ever you got your mail about "donated money going into the pockets of those that run it" is wrong. I used to be a Salvation Army Officer in another life and I can tell you that the money raised for a particular reason was put into a credit line in the cash book and that entire dollar was used for that reason, to run or fund that particular need.
That's not to say that a person running the program was not paid from that account, but I can tell ya that a Salvos pay is far less than the normal "joe's" who puts in the hours that a Salvo Officer does. [Night time visits, night time meetings, after hours work of any description - its all done for love. Believe me I know cause I've done it.]

 

[Mackka]

Good on ya Tassie. Salvos in Brisbane fed 500 needy for lunch the other day, well done!
Mackka

 

[Redfin]

Years ago I used to donate to the Salvos, till I found out many of the "boys homes" like Bayswater and Box Hill were manned by pedophiles within the ranks.
So far they have paid more than $15 million in compensation for deeds done. Investigations are continuing via a Royal Commission, which is in recess and not to be confused with the hearing into the Catholic Church in Ballarat.

 

[G0lddigg@]

Thats heavy...

 

[thedigger]

Tim
I can tell you this Ian Plimer never accepted anything for speaking at the meeting,he knows Rita.
As for anything for the speakers they are given a nugget tie pin.which is donated.
A couple years back got the evening beging call,I told her to call Julia (PM)the reply was who,I am ring from NZ

Regards Frank

 

[SCROUNGER]

Years ago I used to donate to the Salvos, till I found out many of the "boys homes" like Bayswater and Box Hill were manned by pedophiles within the ranks.
So far they have paid more than $15 million in compensation for deeds done. Investigations are continuing via a Royal Commission, which is in recess and not to be confused with the hearing into the Catholic Church in Ballarat.

I'm certainly not condoning what the Salvos have done in the past Redfin, never would, those predators in the ranks should be shamed and made to pay for their crimes and the organizations should unreservedly apologize and make reparations, but the Salvos aren't the only organization with predators in their midst.
Thankfully those Boys Homes (and similar orphanages) are no longer about and society today is much more aware of what might be going on and try and take measures to stop these predators in their tracks.
Here's just a few others that have had or still have predators (not just pedophiles) preying on vulnerable people.
Catholic Church
Scouts
Police Force
Nursing homes for the intellectually disabled etc
Armed Forces
Private schools
Aust. Government run agencies
Etc etc
Things have happened in the past that are a blight on our society, but it's how those organizations deal with those past atrocities now in the present and when they come to light i would have thought rather than people not supporting them because of their past sins?
There are a lot of families relying on the Salvos especially during the 'high family stress' Christmas period. Even if people aren't willing to give money then donating food or toys goes a long way towards easing financial stress for families in need.

 

[narra]

I am a member of my local lions Club it cost me$80 a year to cover administration we are the charity in oz that gives 100% of fundraising back to the community so give to your local lions Club
cheers narra

 

[Heatho]

My friend had breast cancer nearly 4 years ago and well I hate to say this but she actually had to call the McGrath foundation and ask them to please stop sending mail out to her. It was constantly looking for donations, wanting people to do all sorts of things, my poor friend couldn't take it anymore, all she wanted to do was move on and forget the entire experience and get on with her life without being constantly remined every second day about the big C.

It seems that a good idea ended up becoming a corporate money making machine, geez they would probably have saved millions each year by not constantly mailing out all these big glossy brochure type letters, can't remember what half of it was about but she really got the ***** with them badly. It seems that once a lot of these organisations get their hooks into you they don't want to let go of you.

I agree there needs to be a lot more funding into cancer research but they must have been spending a fortune just on advertising and administration costs which would have been way better spent on research.

 

[Redfin]

What amazed me was the Salvation Army has allocated $4 million in their budget each year for abuse compensation, that they expect to happen.

http://www.theaustralian.com.au/nat...k=7530cd0dda2b9925cc077681e67b6c3f-1450068025

 

[SCROUNGER]

My missus had breast cancer nearly 4 years ago and well I hate to say this but she actually had to call the McGrath foundation and ask them to please stop sending mail out to her. It was constantly looking for donations, wanting people to do all sorts of things, my poor missus couldn't take it anymore, all she wanted to do was move on and forget the entire experience and get on with her life without being constantly remined every second day about the big C.

It seems that a good idea ended up becoming a corporate money making machine, geez they would probably have saved millions each year by not constantly mailing out all these big glossy brochure type letters, can't remember what half of it was about but she really got the ***** with them badly. It seems that once a lot of these organisations get their hooks into you they don't want to let go of you.

I agree there needs to be a lot more funding into cancer research but they must have been spending a fortune just on advertising and administration costs which would have been way better spent on research.

My wife has had two lots of breast cancer, her sister one, two nieces as well and two other family members have died from it so i'm well aware of what you're saying regards being reminded (my wife is 15 years on now) from it every year that passes and every mention of breast cancer Heatho. Unfortunately money drives the research but sometimes charities can't see the forest from the trees when it comes to asking from support from people or families directly affected by these illnesses or employing advertising agencies to give a charity some 'pulling power' with the public.
Your wife shouldn't feel guilty about asking to be dropped off the list mate, sometimes less is more when it comes to appealing to the public for charity and perhaps 'good deeds' and the 'word of mouth' is the most effective advertising to raise awareness and money.
Peter Mac does a fantastic job and cares beyond belief when it comes to cancer research and treatment imo and they are a very worthy institution for those looking to help.
Good luck to you and your wife Heatho.