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Originally Posted by peragro
It would be nice if the offer were made. Of course, an offer made with strings attached is no offer.
I'm also in CA, wondering what myself and my family can do to help out. What charities would actually get things to the area without siphoning off substantial admin costs. I know catholic charities runs very low margin of this. Perhaps you folks who are close by or on scene could let us know who is providing support and we can do likewise with those charities/organisations?
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Catholic Charities, Baptist Men, Salvation Army, all are excellent faith-based charities with low overheads. They make decisions quickly and on teh ground where help is needed. Gov requires all manner of authentications while charities just look for people who need help. They are MUCH better at helping people than the gov is. Gov does infrastructure and massive projects very efficiently, but gov kets slaughtered on the modest and small problems of real people. I need water, my baby is sick, I can't find my mommy: these are where charities have no equal.
If you are Roman Catholic, by all means contact your parish priest and tell him that you want to dedicate your donation to the relief. I believe they will accommdate that request (after trying HARD to talk you out of dedicating it). Other faiths have their own relief orgs. ASK.
Secular donors should seek out Red Cross or United Way. Both have excellent reps and will make sure your money gets where it is needed. FEMA has a list of organizations that they have had especially close relations--meaning low overhead and dependable. Check their website.
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