Originally Posted by Marque (Post 804406)

In case you need a geography lesson, I would say Vermilion Parish would qualify as "around there". I don't want to get in an argument about it but your comment really pissed me the f off. I suggested the United Way because they are by far the largest, most organized, visible presence in the voluntary cleanup efforts. People who need help or supplies dial 211 and they send volunteers out to your house to help clean up. They also provide the lions share of the support to the shelters and the homeless in them. Those people probably don't look like you or vote like you but that doesn't change the fact that they are in the most dire need of charity. Which I think is kind of the whole idea of donating. Like I said, I don't want to argue, this isn't the time, the place, or the thread. I am just too worked up not to say something. If you want to talk about it some more I'll be more than happy to put on some dry cloths and meet you any where you like.

https://www.facebook.com/UWofAcadiana/

Churches are doing a lot down here right now but how do you pick which one to give it too. I'm Catholic and the last organization I would donate to is the Archdiocese of Lafayette. These guys have been pretty visible on FB http://www.oursaviorschurch.com/flood. I think they are legit. Give it to who you want.

Its been a rough week, I was fortunate but a lot of my neighbors weren't. I am pretty grumpy under normal circumstances, all the water hasn't helped. Acadiana thanks those of you who contributed.

Originally Posted by Marque (Post 804410)

Charities aren't a 401K. Most people don't give to them in order to get something on the back end. Regardless, this flood isn't cancer or a house fire. The scope of this thing is huge and I am sure anyone you give the money to will put it to good use if they are out in the open with what they are doing. The United Way is helping a lot of people right now plain and simple, thats all I really want to get across. And if you think churches aren't a business you must have had your cool-aid spiked with some DMT this morning. I feel so chicken $hit for even responding to you.

Originally Posted by duckman1911 (Post 804537)

Images sure the United Way is helping. Just like the Red Cross is helping. About 15 cents of every dollar they get actually goes to helping people. The rest is payroll. Times like this it's better to give locally and know your money is going where it is needed. When a church asks for donations of items for people (clothes, hygiene products, etc) and an organization asks for a check. Guess who I'm trusting?

Originally Posted by Dogface (Post 804560)

Right on Duckman!!! We had over 2,000 come through our donation center (food, clothing cleaning items, etc.) that we set up in our local church last week. We are now hosting the Southern Baptist disaster response team and they are preparing and distributing 10,000 meals per day (and that's not a typo), 10,000. They are distributing them in 4 southwest parishes and its all free of charge to folks affected by the flood. Like Duckman said, keep it local where 100% of your donations go to the flood victims and nothing goes to payroll.

Originally Posted by eman (Post 804464)

Have not heard of anything the united way is doing in the BR area. the red cross came in and tried to take over. i like a few other comments contribute to the salvation army. I used to make my united way contribution at work until they cut off the boy scouts for not accepting gay leaders

Originally Posted by redaddiction (Post 804572)

Someone posted this on Facebook about the Red Cross in Baton Rouge.


Copied from facebook below...

"So as we are headed back home from the River Center in Baton Rouge volunteering our nursing services Dawn and I have come to the conclusion that neither of us WILL EVER volunteer or donate to the RED CROSS. The Red Cross basically takes over the shelters and starts refusing clothes, donations and various volunteer services UNLESS they are previously contracted. So what does that mean....well, 60 boxes of doughnuts were discarded this morning becuase the delivery vendor was not in contract, hot meals were refused becuase the entity providing wasn't contracted, and medical supplies including medications were trashed for same reason. Clothes that were "donated" needed to be left on the street unless they were "furnished" by Red Cross. As of tomorrow, the shelter we were at will be completely over taken by the Red Cross other than the medical area because they couldnt have the actual room since LSU has a contract with state to provide medical care. Its sad when the military police were helping to "protect" the medical areas from the red cross when there are so many other issues at hand. Anyway, next time to want to donate or volunteer your services, do your homework. Feel free to share!"