Purple Heart postcard.
Sanatoga households received bright yellow postcards Saturday (Sept. 13, 2008), seeking donations to a veterans’ organization mired in controversy over its fund-raising costs and effectiveness.
The Virgina-based Military Order of the Purple Heart Service Foundation Inc. mailed the postcards, which proclaim that it raises funds to assist members who are wounded, disabled, or handicapped veterans or their immediate survivors. The foundation asked for donations of small items and usable clothes, and said a pick-up would be scheduled in Sanatoga for Sept. 22.
But arguments rage over whether the foundation successfully meets its stated mission.
Last month a Spartanburg SC veterans’ advocate gave a scathing speech in which he charged foundation representatives “scammed, abused and robbed disabled veterans of their valuable benefits.” ABC News reported the foundation last year received a failing grade from the American Institute of Philanthropy because its administrative and fund-raising costs were deemed excessive. The national Better Business Bureau won’t recommend the foundation to donors because, the BBB says, it hasn’t supplied information for evaluation.
Donors must decide for themselves which organizations merit their hard-earned charitable gifts. In making that decision, donors have the right to ask for specifics on where and how donations will be used, and what percentage of donations pays for fund-raising efforts.
When in doubt, the best suggestion often seems to be “give locally.” Dozens of local non-profit groups work miracles daily with veterans, children, the homeless, single-parent families, and many other worthwhile causes. They deserve support.
