3 replies to this topic

[Apparelyzed]

Organization Is Hiding Something

An organization claiming to be raising money for disabled American veterans is under investigation for questionable practices.

The Indianapolis-based non-profit Paralyzed Hoosier Veterans refused to release basic information about where the money they raise through telemarketing is going, according to the Better Business Bureau.

The BBB occasionally checks charities to review their financial status and find out what they are doing with the money they are collecting, RTV6's Jeremy Brilliant reported.

They checked Paralyzed Hoosier Veterans, or PHV. As a non-profit, disclosure about where the money goes should be a matter of public record.

The BBB said the group refused to disclose the information, so they did a little digging to find out what was going on.

A storefront on East 10th Street is used by PHV. They claim to raise money for spinal cord injury research.

Telemarkers sell American flags and mace, among other items.

"This isn't a fund-raiser," telemarketing manager Bill Martinez said. "This is the Paralyzed Hoosier Veterans."

Martinez told RTV6's Jeremy Brilliant only that the money raised goes totally to the Paralyzed Hoosier Veterans.

But, the BBB believes the organization is hiding something.

"I don't know why they wouldn't tell us where the money is going," Erin Lausch said.

The BBB conducted an investigation. Lausch was hired by PHV and worked for just a few hours -- enough time to learn the telemarketing sales pitch.

She then called the office posing as a consumer. Here is what she was told:

"The main thing the Paralyzed Hoosier Vets do is spinal cord research. They're the largest private contributor to the Center for Paralysis Research up at Purdue University."

Lausch said she talked with officials at the Center for Paralysis Research.

"I asked them if they (PHV) were in fact the largest donor. They said that not only were they not the largest donor, they hadn't made a donation since 1998," Lausch said.

The PHV manager maintained that the organization is an honest charity.

After their four-week investigation, the BBB is still not sure where the money raised by PHV is going. They have turned over the results of their investigation to the Indiana attorney general's office so it can conduct its own investigation.

http://www.theindych...250/detail.html

[Joed]

There are a lot of so-called 'organizations' who make phone solicitations for veterans. I just received a call Friday for one that was supposedly raising money for calling cards for veterans.

I always check with the BBB before donating any money. If their organization isn't listed with the BBB...then no money from me. It would be relatively easy to comply with the BBB, and it gives potential donors peace of mind, something you'd think they'd want to provide. If they can't do that simple thing, then I have to doubt their agenda. And I tell them that when they call too.

They also use another trick of philanthropic foolery by slightly changing the name of their 'organization' from one that is nationally well-known and valid to one that is similar. Example: The American Cancer Society, who meets BBB standards, and the Cancer Fund of America, who does not.

Being a Hoosier, I'm also familiar with the one you've cited here, Simon....and I don't give to that one either.

Thanks for posting this...it's important to be savvy and check these things out first before giving to something that refuses to provide fiscal accountability.

[Bob Clark]

I signed up for both the Florida and the Federal "Do Not Call" registry. Though I usually keep my phone ringer turned off, when they do get through, I really dislike being solicited via MY phone for the "Cause of Month."

The Do Not Call registry has been working well, the best I can tell. Now I rhyme all the time.

The one charity that was most annoying and aggressive to me was the "Police Benevolent Association". I don't know if they used professional telemarketers or just rude grumpy policemen but they just wouldn't take "No" for an answer. And they would use every sleazy tactic in the telemarketer handbook. And when the realization finally hit them that they weren't getting a dime outta me they'd rudely slam the phone down without the common courtesy of a "goodbye".

I don't understand why the police and firemen need to hold the tin cup out. Why do they feel compelled to hold fund-raisers everytime a policeman or fireman is injured or killed? If their insurance policies aren't adequate to cover their medical and other expenses due to a work-related injury or cover surviving spouse/family benefits that's something they need to discuss at their union meetings. And/or bargain with their municipality or state government for. If taxes need to be raised then so be it. No one should expect police and fire protection for free or on the cheap.

And while I'm on this rant.....

Quite frankly I don't get what all that 9-11 WTC victim's fund was all about. Mind you, the fund was in addition to the private life insurance policies that the victims had through their employment at the WTC. And whatever many of the companies gave to the victims families as a type of "severance pay" package. Plus the other too numerous to mention private funds that have been set up. And of course Social Security Survivors benefits.

Tradegy happens everyday on this planet and there aren't usually special funds set up to make every victim a millionaire. Every one of the WTC victim's families are now millionaires. And thanks to the Dole/Clinton college foundation every child is guaranteed a full college/university education including expenses. Not to get too personal but my father was murdered when I was 14 and no one started a "victims" fund for me and my siblings. I guess you need to be on the 6 o'clock news everyday for a year to get the special treatment.

Onto the grieving widows. Many of the widows/widowers were hit very hard emotionally by the unfortunate and violent demise of their spouse. I understand this. But look at the demographics of marriage in the USA. More than half of ALL marriages end in divorce after five short years. And more as the years pass by. And many, although perhaps not contemplating divorce were what many marriages in this country are, a not so amicable relationship. Even if a divorce was winding its way through the courts, as long as it wasn't finalized, the spouse still got the benefits. So now the US taxpayer is in essence giving half or more of the widows/widowers who may not have even liked their spouse, a huge pocketful of money to spend on their new boyfriends/girlfriends. Hey, move 'em right into that new house in the Hamptons!

I feel better now that I've vented. I'll be expecting the hate mail by morning!

Signed, Sour Grapes.

[Joed]

LOL...

I feel your pain, Bob.

And, yes, the 'do not call' list works very well for me too. I'm on both the federal and state lists. Unfortunately, these kinds of fund-raising solicitations are allowed....usually just about supper time, of course.

My favorite thing to tell them is, "This is not a good time to call, but I'd be happy to call you back. Just give me your number and I'll call back, say....oh, I don't know...when do you have supper at your house?"

The worst is when you get hung up on by a computer!