In Which I Weep For Humanity...

[fireheart]

This is a short one I promise.

For the unfamiliar, a series of bushfires broke out in Victoria, Australia, with several towns having been lost, 5000 homes lost or evacuated and about 173 dead with the number expected to rise (will keep you posted)

Anyway, my store, along with a number of other stores and places, have been doing donations for the Red Cross Bushfire Appeal. (by the way, if anyone wants to donate, PM me and I'll give you the website) We can only do cash, but we're also allowing people to exchange small notes if they want to use it for the donation (we don't allow large notes for obvious reasons)

Today, I had a woman, nice lady and all, but when I go to ask her about the donations, she goes to me:

"It takes too long to get there. I think they keep it for themselves."

Wasn't sure whether she was referring to us or to the Red Cross, but I just finished her up and sent her on her way, while thinking

I can understand if people don't want to donate, but seriously, you do not come out and say something like that. (I have family in another city, away from the bushfire, but it's gone interstate, so I'm worried about the risk of it hitting them)

And as for donations? When I went on my lunchbreak today, the total was $155.75 for my tin on my register and I'm planning on doing a food drive as well, with management's permission of course.

[Nurian]

Most people are assholes, but it sounds like you have some good ones there, too.

[bainsidhe]

Did I read that right? Was she calling you a thief? Wow, just...wow.

[CrazedClerkthe2nd]

That was a bad of her to say, but there is a perception among many that a lot of donated money never goes to the actual cause its meant for.

Remember the South Park where they hid something away in a place "where it will never be found" which turned out to be an Indiana Jones style warehouse filled with boxes marked "9/11 relief funds"?

[fireheart]

Updateyness:

Total amount by the time I went home: $321.80
We actually had to empty my tin at about 3pm because it was getting so full
I had two people chip in $50 and one person chip in $30 and I'm chipping in $20 tomorrow.


But yes, she was a bitch and CrazedClerk is right, there is a perception that relief causes are a scam. This is why I hate door-to-door collectors.

And the thing is though, she didn't know if I had family affected by the bushfire, she didn't know if I had a home there (or no more) she was lucky I had neither (relatives live further north, away from the bushfire affected areas) or I would've done something I regret.

[Nyoibo]

Yeah, we're getting a couple of boxes of clothes together to donate as well as some money, some people are just assholes who look for any excuse not to donate.

[fireheart]

Here's an article that illustrates CrazedClerk's point about scammers: http://www.news.com.au/adelaidenow/s...005962,00.html

[brucetiki]

You just gotta love the cynics. Last week some clown told me the only reason we put up our insurance premiums was to line the pockets of our marketing department! Some people just need a life!



For the bushfire appeal, for those that want to donate (including our international friends) here's a couple of ways:

Red Cross - http://www.redcross.org.au/vic/servi...ppeal-2009.htm

Cricket Australia
http://www.cricket.com.au/bushfireappeal

Those in Australia can also donate in person at most major banks, any Coles supermarket. Victorians can also donate at any Myer store.

I donated $10 last night at my local Coles supermarket.

[fireheart]

And Woolies as well bruce.

[brucetiki]

And Woolies as well bruce.

Woolies have the standard tins (cash only). Coles actually do it as a transaction on their till (meaning you can pay by EFTPOS if you like).

There's also several groups/organisations organising food/clothing drives (as Red Cross only wants cash to save on logistics costs).

[Supermarket Slave Girl]

One of my customers tonight donated $50 and i'll be donating some money myself, i'm the supermarket you can donate through the registers.

I'm thinking of asking my local bakery to donate some lamingtons and having a lamington drive and donate whatever I make to the unfortunate people who have lost everything, have to run it by my boss first though.

[LibraryLady]

First of all, we have been hearing a lot about the horrible brush fires in Australia. You guys have been suffering years of drought and record temperatures this summer. Now this. Hugs, prayers, donations and best wishes to all of you.

People often think that when they give money to the Red Cross for disaster relief every penny is siphoned right into the area that needs the relief. That isn't so in the US and I don't think it's so in Australia.

Donations go into the general coffers of the organization. More donations mean that more money can be freed up for specific disaster relief but you cannot specify how your donation will be used. Your money may help feed and provide medical care for people in shelters. It may be spent on fuel for emergency vehicles but it can also be used to buy toner for printers and pay for electricity in Red Cross offices. That's just the way it is.

This is not to demean the Red Cross in any way. The Red Cross, the Salvation Army and, at least here in the Tri-States Area, (New York, New Jersey and Connecticut) Catholic Charities and the United Jewish Appeal have excellent records of making the most of donations to help people in need.

[Nyoibo]

Apparently what's happening with this money is that there's going to be a meeting with the town leaders to decide how to allocate it.

I'd be pissed if the full amount doesn't go the the victims.

[RebeccaOTool]

Good luck with the donations. That lady was waaaaaaay out of line.

[CrazedClerkthe2nd]

Apparently what's happening with this money is that there's going to be a meeting with the town leaders to decide how to allocate it.

I'd be pissed if the full amount doesn't go the the victims.

The problem is you need use certain resources, human and otherwise to manage the distribution of the money. These resources carry costs, it would be unrealistic for the full amount to go to the victims, but I certainly agree as much as possible should.

Charities have bills to pay too.