Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: SUNDAY, March 25, 1990 TAG: 9003222283
SECTION: EXTRA PAGE: E4 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE:
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
Here is what it said in the paper:
"The American Red Cross, under pressure from Mayor Art Agnos, reported yesterday it had collected $52.5 million in earthquake relief donations from around the world but had spent only $12.1 million. Agnos has demanded a full, unadulterated public accounting of donations collected for relief work related to the Oct. 17 earthquake that rocked northern California."
Can you believe this? Here the American Red Cross has a surplus left over from the Bay Area Quake Relief Fund and intends to use part of that $40 million surplus for other emergencies.
Ann, if I ran a charitable institution like that, I'd be in jail for fraud. This is a flagrant violation of the people's trust. The way I see it, millions of people around the world who sent in donations are being ripped off.
I would like to know who in the Red Cross decides how much of the money collected for a specific disaster actually goes to help those victims. At what point does someone in the executive offices say, "Well, we've given enough. Let's use the rest for something else"?
Do the Red Cross officials understand how this erodes public confidence in the agencies set up to help people in times of disaster? What happens when another earthquake or flood or tornado hits? Will people think twice before they send a check? I know I will.
What was going on in the minds of those Red Cross officials that they did not anticipate the anger of contributors who felt betrayed? Surely they didn't believe this double cross could be kept a secret. I have come to the conclusion that the Red Cross officials run the agency to suit themselves, and the public be damned.
I'll sign this "Outraged in San Diego," but my real name is Rose Mayor, and you can use it if you want to.
Dear Rose: Thanks for your letter. I have received several complaints from residents in northern California about what they perceive to be a gross abuse of public trust by the Red Cross, but I am withholding judgment until I get more information. Meanwhile, here's another one:
Dear Ann: It looks like the Red Cross has shot itself in the foot again, just when people were beginning to forget how the organization sold coffee and donuts to the GIs during World War II while the Salvation Army gave them out free.
A letter to the editor in the San Francisco Examiner said:
Our public and business community contributed $22.2 million to the Red Cross specifically for victims of the Oct. 17 earthquake. Three months later, the Red Cross has: spent $11 million, closed all emergency and service centers and held back $10 million for "additional assistance." Maybe in the next emergency, we should find a different agency. - Floyd Oatman, Hillsborough
And I am - Frederick L. Kotkin, D.D.S., Milpitas, Calif.
Dear Readers: Since the writing of this column, pressure from Art Agnos, mayor of San Francisco, has resulted in the Red Cross agreeing to release the funds for the purpose intended. If I hear from the Red Cross, I'll let you know. Creators
by CNB