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John Moore / Getty Images
Robert Munoz collects supplies from a mobile Red Cross unit on Nov. 7, in the Staten Island Borough of New York City.
The American Red Cross, which bills itself as “the world's largest humanitarian network,” is pushing back against critics of its response to superstorm Sandy, with the head of the organization saying its relief effort has been “near flawless” despite criticism from stranded storm victims and elected officials.
Two weeks after the storm slammed the East Coast, leaving millions of residents without power and in need of food, warmth and shelter, the venerable nonprofit has taken a public battering over what many victims and some officials saw as a lackluster and unfocused response.
Thomas Donovan, a 43-year-old software salesman who was helping an elderly couple toss out heavy furniture and appliances from their flooded home last week in the hard-hit New York City community of Breezy Point, is among the disillusioned.
“Red Cross sucks," he said last week. "… I’m never giving them another dime.”
Red Cross officials have been trying to walk the fine line between diplomacy and defense in explaining why their Sandy relief efforts have not always been appreciated.
Two weeks after Superstorm Sandy hit the East Coast, New Yorkers question whether help from the Red Cross will arrive. But CEO President Gail McGovern defends what she calls a massive relief effort. NBC's Lisa Myers reports.
Laura Howe, a spokeswoman for the organization, said that responding in a badly damaged, densely populated urban area, and the unique cold-weather hurricane, both posed significant challenges to getting needed supplies to the hardest-hit areas.
But she also noted that the Red Cross has mounted its largest domestic disaster response in five years, deploying its entire fleet of more than 320 feeding trucks and sending nearly 6,000 relief workers to the devastated areas, mainly in New Jersey and New York.
We are “putting our resources where the need is greatest,” Howe said.
And Gail McGovern, chief executive officer and president of the Red Cross, told NBC News’ Lisa Myers late last week that the response has been timely and well-organized: “I think that we are near flawless so far in this operation.”
“I know that there are people who have absolutely lost everything, that are cold, that are frightened, that are saying, ‘Where is the American Red Cross?’ and I am totally supportive of that. I understand their cry for help, but we are out there,” she said.
When asked about the storm victims who are complaining that they haven't seen the Red Cross in their neighborhoods, McGovern said that the organization is using social media to help guide them to areas that they haven't yet reached. "We are looking at every single one of those cries for help, and we are moving people and supplies as quickly as we can," she said.
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A snowstorm hits the Northeast as residents are still struggling to pick up the pieces after Superstorm Sandy.
The role of public punching bag is not new for the Red Cross, which has endured similar criticism after disasters like Hurricane Katrina, which hammered the Gulf Coast in 2005. The organization and its response are often held under a microscope, though federal and state government, the military and many other relief groups, also assist in recovery efforts.
'People are frustrated'
Howe, the Red Cross spokeswoman, said the anger felt by victims is not surprising, given what they are going through.
“We understand that people are frustrated,” she said Friday. “Anybody who has been without power, who has had to deal with this level of damage in their homes for this period of time, is bound to be frustrated and we completely understand that. I would also say that this disaster is bigger than any one organization.”
As of Sunday, the Red Cross was sheltering some 3,700 people and had delivered more than 4.8 million meals or snacks, and more than 477,000 relief items, she said.
“We are doing everything that we possibly can to be in as many places as quickly as possible but this is a big operation and we’re up against a large geography and a large number of people that need to be served,” she added.
Such arguments don’t seem to carry much weight in communities severely affected by the storm.
James Molinari, president of the hard-hit Staten Island borough of New York City, on Nov. 1 labeled the organization’s response there “an absolute disgrace” and went so far as to urge its residents not to donate to the largely volunteer agency.
Donovan, the Red Cross critic helping in Breezy Point, said he and his friends have been helping clean up there for about a week and had worked on some 30 homes. The Brooklyn resident, whose family has had a house in Breezy Point since he was a kid, said he had seen only one of the group’s trucks there in that time.
“You don’t see them. They’re not here ... they’re just not here,” he said Thursday, a day after a nor’easter blew ashore, pushing another storm surge into water-logged areas and dumping about four inches of snow.
Other residents are more understanding.
John Makely / NBC News
Medeleine Dobriner, 66, of New Dorp, is at her third Red Cross shelter since Hurricane Sandy left her homeless.
At a nearby center being used to collect and hand out free food and cleaning supplies, 25-year-old Lauren Willis of nearby Roxbury said that she saw no sign of the Red Cross in the first days after Sandy hit on Oct. 29, flooding both her and her parents’ homes. Since then, however, it has been a regular, helpful presence in her community.
“We were down here for four days and we had nothing, I mean nothing. … We didn’t have any hot food” or water, said Willis, an emergency medical technician whose mother is a Red Cross volunteer. “Now they’ve come in, they’re doing great work.”
Getting the word out about a Red Cross presence in areas where communications are still in disarray after the storm also may feed the perception that the organization is absent. The organization said it was listing on its website the specific streets and communities where workers will be, but of course many storm victims still lack power, let alone Internet access.
A reporter saw a Red Cross mental health specialist in Breezy Point in the immediate aftermath of Sandy, and a few days later a Red Cross minitrailer was parked in the community. The organization’s website listed several visits to the community through Sunday.
But, like Donovan, many residents interviewed over the last two weeks said they have not seen the Red Cross since the storm.
On Thursday, Red Cross volunteers Mary Gagnon and her husband, Dean, drove down Breezy Point’s main road, stopping to offer ham-and-cheese or roast beef sandwiches. The couple, both 65 and retired, are unpaid volunteers who drove a Red Cross minitrailer from Madison, Wis., to help out.
How you can help in Sandy's aftermath
“We’re out here. We’re all around. We’re everywhere,” said Mary Gagnon, noting that she and her husband rotate between communities at the direction of a central dispatch.
The Red Cross has raised some $117 million in the aftermath of the disaster, though officials say they can’t yet say how much has been spent on the relief effort. Calculating spending is complicated, because bills are still coming in and some services are covered by ongoing contracts, but Howe promised there would be a full accounting at the end of the response effort.
Charity Navigator, a nonprofit charity rating agency that aims to be a guide to intelligent giving, said the Red Cross received three out of four stars this year -- meaning it met most industry standards -- down from four the year before. Their ratings cover financial accountability and overall transparency.
Sandy effort a 'key indicator'
Its president and CEO, Ken Berger, said his analysts have seen a slight decline in the Red Cross’ finances, such as fundraising efficiency. He also noted its working capital, equivalent to a “rainy day” fund, is not as large as they would like it to be.
“For an organization of this size and scale that’s somewhat unique in its expertise and reach, that they may not always be as fast as we’d like, they may not always be as responsive as we’d like, but … we think they’re overall performance at this point is OK,” Berger said.
“There’s still this lingering sense since Katrina that Red Cross still has some work to do to redeem its reputation,” he added, noting the Sandy response may prove to be a “key indicator” of whether it has improved sufficiently.
Howe said the Red Cross was proud of their latest work but “would like it to be more perfect.”
To that end, it is making an intensive push into some of the most hard-hit areas in New York and elsewhere through Monday. Volunteers will climb the stairs of apartment blocks to hand out relief items, like a heated “shower in a bag,” hand warmers, garbage bags and work gloves, she said.
“While some people still need the blankets and the hand warmers, we’ve got others who are very much in the process of mucking out homes and they need the work gloves and the (dust) masks,” Howe said. “We’re really trying to make sure that we address that wide range of need that’s out there.”
But, Fran Menchini, 79, who plans to engage a private contractor to clean her flooded home in Breezy Point, said she doesn’t think the Red Cross had anything to offer her.
“I saw them up at FEMA (a claim center outside Breezy Point),” she said. “What would they do? Were they offering anything? No. I need services, I don’t need them to give me coffee.”
NBC News' Senior Investigative Correspondent Lisa Myers and Producer Talesha Reynolds contributed to this report.
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Leave a Comment:
Nothing and nobody is perfect, but The Red Cross and thousands of others are trying to help those in need. That said, I cannot imagine the sense of loss and frustration the victims of Hurricane Sandy are feeling. All I can do is donate to the agencies that are doing the impossible right now. Hang in there folks!!!
One can't help but wonder how much more Red Cross could be doing if a larger percent of the donations went to victims instead of Red Cross "administrative" costs (think about what their CEO takes home)...fortunately, there are less greedy organizations. My donation goes to the Salvation Army; highest percent of their donations go to help the victims.
Guess who is filling in some of the many holes in the Red Cross help
http://www.wsvn.com/news/articles/national/21009024884936/occupy-sandy-onetime-protesters-find-new-cause/
If you seriously want to donate to the first-in organizations, donate to Southern Baptist Disaster Relief or the Salvation Army. SBDR has received direct thanks from the New Jersey governor and from the national head of FEMA. In both cases, disaster relief donations flow directly through to the needs, totally unfiltered by supporting a large, international infrastructure.
I live in Rockaway Park and work in Far Rockaway. I didn't see a single truck or anything from the red cross for over a week! There were rumors that the major told them they were not allowed....all kinds of rumors about why they were no where to be found, not Rockaway Park, not Far Rockaway, not Broad channel. I drove all around delivering gas, moving my stuff, helping rip out wet drywall at a friends. I really didn't see them over at least a week. THIS ARTICLE IS TOTAL LIES!~ I'm from New Orleans, I remember them in NOLA...they took their sweet time with Sandy. Sad but true.
Let's be perfectly honest here. Faith based charities tend too help their own flock before they help anybody else.
I WILL NOT donate to the Red Cross not only do their administrators have huge salaries but not all of your donations are actually GIVEN to the people you want them given to. I have heard stories of the Red Cross selling of course at a reduced price what is bought with our donations. this of course means their an NOT non profit and should not be an organization to help. You really want to help people there is the Salvation Army and no I am not a member of either organization.
Bob in KC:
Good post! They are trained professional responders whose response times are quick and they know how to coordinate with State officials and other service providers. These folks have been working at it quietly for a long time.
As for Red Cross, they ARE NOT inept. This disaster was huge and they are likely spread thin!
trust2112 - one of the all time dumbest things I have ever read. Do you think that somehow they run around in a disaster area with a clipboard, looking for only Baptists? Your foolishness is disgusting.
And please, tell us all about all of the atheist groups and what they are doing for these people in need...
The last time I contributed to the American Red Cross was in 1964, and that last contribution was before I saw UNOPENED American Red Cross boxes FOR SALE in front of an Italian store outside Napes, Italy.
Guess there is Fraud in every agency.
Wonder how much the "ARC senior executives" get paid.
who really cares the red cross wouldnt even have to be there if the morons that live there had evacuated like they should have. As a Floridian, and having been through hurricanes, tropical storms, Noreasters, I know to get out when Im told, I saw what happened in New Orleans after Katrina. You yankees had a week of notice to tell you that you were about to be hammered and you stayed..... stupid. you arent special because you pay more taxes, you arent special because you live in NYC of NJ. quit bashing the ppl that are trying to help
Re: footballcoach
My thoughts exactly. I have said this since day one. Not only will they not evacuate but you keep seeing picture after picture of them playing in the waves as they crash to the shore. Obviously you dont have to be a rocket scientist to live in NY or NJ. Although I feel bad that these people lost an entire life of things, maybe now they will listen when told to evacuate.
From what Red Cross described, their full force are in thousands compared to millions, that is 1:1000 ratio or more.
It doesn't matter how hard they try, they can't help all at once since we are talking about one of the most populated city in the world.
There are just too many people waiting for help and to get them all, it will require patient.
My husband is THERE w/the ARC now. We live in MN and he took UNPAID LEAVE from his job to DONATE his time and training to help his fellow man on the East Coast. That is the type of person he is. He is an EMT/Firefighter and is there in a medical capacity, but is also helping distribute needed items (toilet paper, food, etc). He was in Levittown (I believe that's how it's spelled), but has been moved. He is sleeping in the basement of a school when he can (the local shelter). I'm sure he's tired, but knowing that he's paying it forward keeps him going. He believes in the ARC and sees all of the other volunteers giving their time for the same reason. He's been helping a lot of the elderly. The ARC is there to ASSIST and HELP those people in need, but those people should also be helping themselves (unless they are mentally or physically incapable of doing so). I'm very proud of my husband and know that this experience will stay w/him for the rest of his life.
i am out in staten island,which got totally blasted by a 15 foot surge of seawater,it went inland for about a half mile,tons of destroyed homes,buildings and cars,i don't have anything bad to say about the Red Cross,they are actually doing a good job for what they have ,they got plenty of food ,water and cleaning supplies ,you just got to know where to go ,go to "MIDLAND BEACH"STAGING AREA tons of supplies go thru there as both the red cross as well as the military distrubute supplies there,i even got 5 gallons of FREE GASOLINE there last week on sunday when a tanker truck from CALIFORNIA "pacific tank lines" &FUEL RELIEF FUND.ORG, gave the gas away for free!the red cross does got blankets ,cleaning supplies and food,they also got MRE's"military ready to eat meals that can cook without heat,those are good if you don't have a place to cook ,they don't taste bad either,you just got to know how to prepare them ,its E-Z......if you want the supplies you got to get off your lazy butts and go get them ,they are there! you can't expect for them to bring it to you all the time,it takes alot of work on both parts ,there is literally a army of "army soldiers,marines &national guardsmen to help as well as volunteers ,but they are working hard ,but they can't do it all !HELP YOURSELF TOO,&HELP OTHERS,! IT WILL ALL WORK OUT, I HAVE BEEN HELPING TOO
I realize that the Red Cross had it's hands full with hurricane Sandy but it appears that they are ill equipped to deal with the growing population.Too many non profits put more donation money towards administrative costs than they do disaster relief.Those that evacuated and came back after still need to get their homes back in shape,electricity and a warm meal when they are exhausted from cleaning up the mess.I would not want to be in any of their shoes even if they received more help than needed.
it's the Presidents fault , remember?...where is Oboneheads ranting and raving like the video of him about Katrina?...oh , my bad , he can't go full on racist about this one
MarkS
hope you folks are getting along , Pres Barry and FEMA left you folks in Staten Island behind , but I guess thats ok , he got re-elected
Of course he is defending the Red Cross. They are the ones who provide him with hundreds of thousands of dollars a year in salary along with benefit packages other industry leaders can only dream about.
The AMERICAN RED CROSS &THE MILITARY DID WAY MORE then the lazy politicians,they only go down to the disaster area to get in front of the TV cameras, i know i seen this first hand as i am down in the disaster area in staten island midland beach area ,i give the ARC,military,FDNY,NYPD,THE FIRST RESPONDERS and all the VOLUNTEERS a thumbs up,not the fat ass lazy politicians with there motorcades jamming up much needed resources
@John Athondoe ,as stated i hate all the fat lazy politicians,Barry definitely didn't get my vote,and i didn't go out and get a FEMA loan/money ,just will do it alone and help friends out,not ask for "handouts"of $$$ from the gov't ,just get MRE's &supplies to help out others and to feed ourselves,didn't bitch about our 2 week long blackout,just deal with it
Red Cross is an excellent organization and I will continue to give monthly to them. They just can't be everything to everyone. Some less intelligent here are questioning some of their large salaries, but I ask you this, do you really think "B list" professionals could coordinate all they do? No, absolutely not. Their execs do more good than our president and congress and they're paid well too.
The most ignorant comment above suggested that they help in order of faith, I assume this was said to imply they help Christians first. Stupid, just stupid. They're just trying to help. Given them a break.
Thank your husband for us Anastasia. Most of us appreciate the work he is doing.
As a volunteer firefighter Hang in there brothers and sisters, help is on the way.
The American Red Cross should be on always be on standby and ready to roll on a moments notice. But I don't believe that's how it operates today. The Red Cross bosses today probably first have to wake up in the morning because after all they need their eight hours sleep, and then their coffee and their newspaper, and eventually they'll head off to the office, unless they have a golf meet, and when they arrive at work.......?.......well remember FEMA boss Brown during Katrina when he was contacted about what was happening "Get back to me later and inform me on the situation" were the words he basically blurted. The American Red Cross today I believe is infested with useless people at the top who need to be fired.
yupp...when we have naders in the spring...does the red cross show up...or our friends and neighbors...pretty much a southern thing...good luck eastcoaster's...isn't fema a bitch...
Below are a couple sites I found regarding percentages going to administrative costs. Depending on which site (besides below) the % is 5.9-10.0 the rest goes for disasters relief, health and safety training/education, supporting America's military families, blood drives, and international services.
All those complaining about the volunteers who are not getting to you sooner, definitely is not ideal for ARC or other charities, however, the state of NY/NJ should have taken the necessary precautions to have emergency supplies to help (initially) while waiting for ARC to arrive.
trust2112; not sure where you got that tidbit of information but being a charity based on faith is a charity that will help ALL no matter ones personal religion.
Why has the responsibility for helping these folks been totally laid on the Red Cross, when he blame deserves to be dropped right square on incompetent state and local government officials.....and Con Ed? I mean, power still not restored after almost 3 weeks; what the hell is that all about? Cuomo should have activated the NY National Guard immediately to set up rescue operations and establish tent cities for temporary shelters, and begin debris removal. All he and Bloomberg have accomplished is to look good in front of the media cameras. Maybe the citizens of New York could directly ask Haley Barber or Bobby Jindal, two guys who know how to react to hurricanes, to come up and show the New York putzes how its done!
It's Bush's fault. Just kidding but where are all the media complainers about the problems surrounding the Sandy response? Yea I get it. Your Messiah can do no wrong. He gives one photo op and then leaves for Las Vegas and we haven't seen him since. He did play golf this weekend. We are so doomed with the corrupt media in this country.
ARC's administrative expenses account for only a smaller percentage of their overall expenses. They spent nearly all of their revenue on programs. I'd say they are doing fairly well. Besides, while people think the ARC can be everywhere helping everyone, they can't.
Income Statement (FYE 06/2011)
REVENUE
Total Contributions
$1,013,873,120
Program Service Revenue
$2,328,884,915
Total Primary Revenue
$3,342,758,035
Other Revenue
$110,202,352
TOTAL REVENUE
$3,452,960,387
EXPENSES
Program Expenses
$3,157,481,991
Administrative Expenses
$137,509,155
Fundraising Expenses
$127,019,240
TOTAL FUNCTIONAL EXPENSES
$3,422,010,386
Payments to Affiliates
$0
Excess (or Deficit) for the year
$30,950,001
Net Assets
$2,191,924,285
Obama is doing a great job. Even the republicans compliment him. Thank you for putting him back as president. The world supports you in the recovery.
I've been through more of these than I want to count.
Be prepared as best you can. Call for help when you really need help'
Nobody's EMT needs to bring your babies's diapers.
Live on the planet!!! It's here.
Criticizing a charity and those who volunteer their time to help is insulting and is in some ways blaming them for the disaster that was not in their control. The problem is not ARC. They did mobilize and are helping as many as they can. The problem is entitlement mentality believing that it was ever someone elses responsibility to come in and make them whole again. Or, perhaps it is simply a misunderstanding of the word "charity".
Now, if anyone could be "blamed" or should be, it should be FEMA as they are not a "charity". They are a part of our government that we all pay for and should be able to expect services from in return. In reality, ARC could have sat this out all together because there are government programs in place that are supposed to deal with these situations. But they didn't sit it out.
To those who want to complain how much the CEO of ARC makes, maybe look at how much those that run FEMA make for the services they provide.
So why are those people asking where the Red Cross is. I would be asking "where is all the aid Obama promised ". Oh that right the election is over now. never mind.
I'm sorry, John if I sounded disparaging to the ARC. That's not my point.
They do great work. Yet, at some point we need, as best as we can, to take care of ourselves.
Call on them when we are deeply in need. They will be there.
Rusty, My comment just happened to be under yours. I agree with you and mine was directed at others.
Thanks. Peace to you and all you love.
@ footballcoach....the big difference between hurricane victims in Florida, Ala, La, etc....and the Hurricane victims in the North is that you don't have to live in 20 degree weather and a full blown blizzard after a hurricane.
I have lived in the deep South and the far North...I have seen both ends of the weather extreme. The North is no more equiped for hurricanes of this scale than Mobile ,Alabama ( for example) is equiped for 3 feet of snow. My mother lives in Key West, and she doesn't have anything even remotely resembling a heater in her home. Try to think before you make comments like that.....the last thing a hurricane victim needs is below freezing temperatures.
Excuse me but FEMA had about 7 days of models, just like everybody else, to think about the impending disaster- with the knowledge of Katrina and what can happen, but they aren't stepping up well- WHY? WE the taxpayers pay them to "manage" emergencies but with all of the lessons learned and the availability of information and models on this one they weren't prepared to react and step in. I don't get it.
Great, blame the Red Cross for not being prepared and stepping in properly. They do have a budget and attempt to help all over when problems occur. Yeah, they "suck", whereas the government we all pay so much to take care of us isn't ready and can't get the job done either. Nice folks.
The Red Cross has been responding to disasters for more than 100 years. No they are not perfect but they do what they do with humanity, humility and in the mist of lots of criticism. Before you criticize the Red Cross I would like to ask do you know what the Red Cross reponse is and what are your expectations of the organization? Do you realize that the work is being done by thousands of volunteers so people are throwing what they do back into these volunteers faces. Volunteers leaving their homes for weeks to help.
We may all have our favorite organizations but I would like to say this, three weeks from now when the cameras are gone ARC will still be on the scene. Next year when recovery is still not complete and you all have forgotten about Sandy and the residents of NJ/NY ARC will still be there helping with the rebuild.
Before you criticize Red Cross further go to a community disaster preparedness meeting to get a clue. Also they just do not respond to huge disasters but to local community fires as well.
Those complaining aren't victims... they're beggars.
I'm surprised it took this long before someone like you, jumped in to say it's the President's fault.
You're not kidding, look at the name calling and attack on President Obama you've done, and get over it dude, you lost, in the last two Presidential elections, you're probably 0-2, I'm 2-0.
Are you a disgruntled Romney supporter who believed in; give FEMA to the states......
Now, if the ARC didn't respond, think how much more awful it would be. Good job ARC, keep up the good work.
Failure in disaster response is at the State and Local levels, not Red Cross or FEMA. Talk to your state/local politician. Always has been, always will be. Challenge is a lot of well intended people do not understand operational planning. They don't know how to do a plan. It's like a pick-up game. Hire some of us who know how to do this. This has nothing to do with the politico party dance. Placing non-governmentals in FEMA in to the OPPLAN is what your state and locals should do. And, plan needs periodically updated. Right now you're seing crisis management, with no preplan.
Mike @1.28:
Your listing of ARC expenses shows that overall they are one of the MOST efficient charitable organizations and I agree with that conclusion having verified those numbers on another site:
I did post a criticism that basically asked why the CEO/President of a charitable organization should be paid over a million dollars in total compensation, however.
To be fair to the dedicated worker in ARC, there are a lot of complainers in the world and people in a catastrophe have a lot to complain about...............Nonetheless, the same complainer are probably among the crowd that never or very rarely ever donated more than a few dollars to the ARC.................but they do know how to complain!!!! Door to door emergency services is NOT a right, BTW. Suck it up, do what you can to find the ARC stations and try and help out rather than just complain about a really bad situation that no one can fix overnight. Stop criticizing and start working for a change.
From the outside, although overall the Red Cross appears to have done a good job in some areas, it is lacking others.
BTW: Providing Coffee and the cookies the first day is abit less then "flawless".
FEMA has been the big failure, again. Can't seem to get a large problem down right now can they?
One of the single largest recipients of Red Cross money is Donald Trump. Just thought I would let you know where your donations go.
@NC1234, ARC is run as a company (it has to with everything it does!). $1 mil is significantly less than what other CEO's of a company of that size would make. They still have to attract someone with great skills to run an organization. I would say that the CEO probably donates a large portion of his money too. In my experience those who run nonprofits tend to invest a lot of their own money and time.
I don't think it's Obama's fault, but I also didn't think the problems with Katrina were Bush's fault. FEMA sucks like most the things the government does, and the media coverage has been completely different this time around. I'm not looking to score points against Obama, I'm looking for consistency and fairness (which is too much to ask for.) You know if Bush was president you would have Kenya and Jay Z out saying Bush hates New York Black people and everyone else would jump on board. Happens to Obama and there is silence.
Are you telling me if Bush was still President the media coverage wouldn't be different? Please. Just be honest for once and admit the coverage on this has been completely different compared to Katrina.
What Republicans are you talking about?
Maybe the world can help support the people currently being laid off because of Obama Care. Have you looked at the list of companies doing layoffs after the election. Now after the election even CNBC is saying we are headed back into a recession.
Mike @ #1.28, Thanks for saving me from having to post the ARC info.
Like many others, I find the CEO's income obscene to the extreme. A million dollars? REALLY??? Do you really think you are worth it? Well, yeh. Ms. McGovern probably does think she is worth it. Sadly, that pay scale for CEOs of charitable organizations, while higher than others, is not out of the ordinary. Furthermore, based on independant efficiency ratings, which essentially gauge the ratio of dollars to charitable work vs dollars to payroll, the ARC rates highest with an eficiency rating of 92%.
To compare:
Caryl Stern, UNICEF has an annual compensation of $472,891 (half that of McGovern) but the organization has an efficiency rating of 91% (marginally less than ARC)
United Way CEO, Brian Gallagher clocks in with annual compensation of $717,076 and claims an abysmal efficiency rating of 85%.
Salvation Army is listed as a religious organization and, therefore, does not have to file taxes on its income so the numbers may or may not be accurate but, according to 'best guess' reports, National Commander William Roberts earns a paltry $126,920 in compensation and yet the organization only earns an 82% efficiency rating.
(statistical source: http://www.snopes.com/politics/business/charities.asp )
So, in retrospect, it appears that American Red Cross, in spite of the fact the CEO is grossly overpaid, is still more effective in getting the money where it is needed.
What detractors and frustrated victims fail to understand, apparently, ARC works almost exclusively on volunteer manpower. They are responsible for the transport, housing, and maintenance of those volunteers on disaster relief work as well as the advance training of those volunteers, which is extensive. That means they must pay for them to get to the point of need, provide them with a place to stay, feed them, and provide them with a means to clean their clothes as well as themselves. In addition to providing maintenance for volunteers, they must pay for supplies and food and other neccessities for victims. Unfortunately, because they depend so heavily on a volunteer workforce, they do not always have sufficient manpower to meet the need. That means that they must 'grade' the level of need and focus on the greatest need first. And, while it may be incomprehensible to someone who is living in a church basement or school auditorium that there is someone in greater need, that, in fact, quite often is the case.
Another consideration, especially in the current, me first, world in which we live, people choose not to consider that someone else may be in greater need. Too often, in such dire situations as the aftermath of SuperStormSandy some people just don't care whether the other guy is in need, just help me. And, oddly, it seems those most in need often have the greater capacity to see the fortune in just being alive and having their family reasonably safe and sound.
While I feel the greatest of sympathy for those affected by Sandy, I am not sure I can appreciate the sense of disdain too many seem to hold for ARC. Perhaps if those complaining so much about how little their help from ARC seems to be would take a moment to stop and think how much less help they would have were ARC not there they might be able to appreciate that assistance more.
ARC IS a volunteer-based organization founded on the idea that we do have a responsibility to help our fellow man when he is in need and we are in a position to render assistance. The Red Cross is not in a position to replace everything a person loses in a disaster. They are focused on sustaining the victims until they are in a position to move forward. It was not intended to rebuild homes, but to rebuild hope. It was not founded as a money-making opportunity. But money is necessary to keep any foundation solvent and working. The same holds true for a non-profit such as American Red Cross or United Way or Salvation Army. And, since ARC returns the highest percentage of donations back to the communities in which it works, I'd say they are doing a pretty good job.
(Disclaimer: I had the opportunity to work with the ARC in East Texas in the aftermath of Hurricanes Katrina and Rita in '05. I was impressed with the dedication of the workers, both paid and volunteer. Most of the people of the region were grateful for the help though there were some who complained that ARC did not do enough. Again, this is a volunteer-based organization and they are not in a position to do everything or even most everything. While working alongside numerous aid workers with Red Cross as well as other groups, I saw the best humanity has to offer. I also saw the worst humanity has to offer in people who refused to allow workers into their county if it meant blacks and hispanics would receive assistance along with the white population. I hold onto all of those memories one as a reminder of how good and decent people can be and the other as a reminder of how far most of us have come ... and how far we have yet to go.)
In time of need we depend on the red cross and not our over bloated homeland security and FEMA???
oh yeah lets bash the red cross (not)...@!$%# YOU FEMA
Dick @ 1.44: "One of the single largest recipients of Red Cross money is Donald Trump. Just thought I would let you know where your donations go."
Whoa!! You're going to have to provide a legitimate source for that tall tale and you can't. Rumor and innuendo and rag gossip are not enough to substantiate such a slanderous accusation.
The Red Cross gets a score of 60 out of 70 from ratings organizations. Only 4% goes to administrative costs.
Get over yourselves criticizers......the Red Cross could pack up and leave would that be better?
Next time Godzilla comes smashing through your town, we'll see if you dis the Red Cross!!
Where's the criticism of FEMA?
Oh, that's right - we have Obama in office, so the media can't treat him like they did Bush, so they find another 'scapegoat'.
Pat Mumbower "One can't help but wonder how much more Red Cross could be doing if a larger percent of the donations went to victims instead of Red Cross "administrative" costs (think about what their CEO takes home)...fortunately, there are less greedy organizations. My donation goes to the Salvation Army; highest percent of their donations go to help the victims."
It's a shame that people don't 'do the research'.
The Red Cross has perhaps the best record when it comes to maximizing the percentage of donations used to support their mission and keeping administrative costs low (about 4%).
In contrast, The following popular charities spend 20 to 30 cents on the donated dollar for overhead and administrative expenses.
The ARC uses disasters like this as venues for Fund Raisers. They are no better than Ambulance Chasers.
Don't believe me, wait until they leave town mith Millions upon Millions of donations in their pockets and people still suffering and in need of help.
I served as a Board member of our local RC Chapter for more than 10 years. We were beat up pretty bad for our response to Katrina and we are 15 hours from New Orleans. Who would have thought we would have 120 refugees show up that far away. We managed, but the initial response was poor, for about one day. We did not have to deal with any damage or other situations, just shelter and food. Our Chapter failed and had to merge with OKC. People still donate but there are many agencies competing for scarce dollars.
The RC is NOT a First Response agency. That is a function of the local Fire and Police, in conjunction with Emergency Management. Those guys also failed during Katrina. We all learned much from that disaster and the NIMS (National Incident Management System) took a giant step forward. When an even occurs, local Emergency Management is in full control. When they are overwhelmed, it moves to the state level, and then the national level under the control of the Department of Homeland Security, through FEMA.
Okay...it is illegal for the RC to send staff or volunteers into an unsafe area; RC is not a First Responder, RC does not help you repair damage; the RC provides shelter, food, and since Katrina, they document those displaced by the event. This is something we had to spend funds on after Katrina, and FEMA now has software that allows Internet tracking of those damaged, killed, hurt or displaced by an event, and that info is not available to the media or the public.
The CEO makes too much salary! People, it's a multi billion dollar organization. You don't pay Wal-Mart wages to people who manage at this level. The RC is Chartered by the U.S. Congress to do what they do. No other groups has this distinction. But why don't we fault them for trying their best under adverse conditions and insult those who volunteer their own time to help out, stop giving them money and force them out of helping people, then when the next event occurs we can call another, better, group of people who will do it much better. What have all of you done to help during an emergency?
I also spent 25 years of my life in the Electric Utility Industry, and dealt with tornadoes, ice storms, blizzards, hurricanes, fires, burned out transformers and non-paying customers. Last week I heard some Yahoo yelling about getting the National Guard into the area to restore power. The National Guard doesn't restore power! They will clear roads, streets, repair bridges, control vandalism and assist power companies in restoring electric service. Power restoration after a major event is extremely dangerous and safety protocols may not be set aside, this will take as much time as it takes, be patient. There is no reason to kill Linemen because you don't have power for a few weeks. That's right I said "Weeks". In our area, it is not uncommon for a major storm to cause enough damage that it takes several weeks to restore service.
Nothing to do with this storm event is political, so take those comments to another thread. I for one will still support the RC with my time and my money.
football coach - yes you in Florida know so well how to prevent disaster in hurricanes... but you cannot even vote on time. Elections are the biggest disaster in your state.
And, anyway, stop comparing FL to NY.. as another commenter posted, your hurricanes happen in warm weather, ours happen in the cold. Our trees cannot stand up to winds (pine trees), so uprooted trees created massive problems... is that MY fault as a NJ resident? Nope. And, it did not matter if people evacuated, the problem is that the homes were destroyed... how can people prevent their home from being washed away or moved off its foundation?
Anddddddddd get 3 feet of snow and tell me how well you guys do. Then we will see who cries for help. All you who want to point fingers are a-holes and need to go find another hobby. Leave the people affected by Sandy alone - not like you helped anyway, I am sure.
Why complain about the red cross, everything they do they do by volunteers and donations. Why not complain about FEMA who has been given your tax dollars to help yet they still suck. Please someone tell me what they have done.
trust 2112,
How would you know if faith based charities help their own first? You do not have the first clue as to what they have done or not. Your hate for religion is palpable.
Catholic Charities is the largest organization of this type in the world and gives millions of dollars in assistance to those who need it regardless of a person's religion or even if they have one.
Get an education.
Get a job.
Take a "hate management" program.
Do not have children. (You would probably just abort them anyway.)
@ DrNangle,
How long does our government recommend person be prepared for surviving a disaster? I've heard a week to 2 weeks. There are going to be a lot of dead people if we don't do more to get ready. How far are you willing to go to protect what's yours? When will you stop expecting our government to feed you or are you helping to clear the roads so supplies can get in? The lessons we should be learning are not how to get relief in faster but how to survive on our own longer. Canned food last longer than frozen, stock up if you want to live through something worse. Water last for months in plastic bottles, if not years. Some of you would be better off using your head rather than your mouth.
Republicans are envious that Obama did a much better job than Bush did when it came to hurricanes.
What has the Red Cross done you say?
"The American Red Cross has joined with national and state partners to undertake a massive response to Hurricane Sandy, with a mission to prevent further human suffering and to alleviate any suffering that is still occurring.
For the Southwestern New York Chapter this response began the Wednesday prior to the storm, when we began coordinating with local government and community partners to prepare shelters in the event that flooding should occur anywhere in the north, central or southern parts of our county. We identified 10 standby shelters, alerted our local volunteers and pre-positioned equipment.
On the night of the storm we opened and staffed a shelter at Silver Creek Central School as the creek began to rise. Local volunteers Charlie Meder, Mary Walker, Patty Hartinger, Jeanie Shiffer and Fran Heath were on hand throughout the night to provide shelter, food and other support to anyone who might need it. Fortunately, no evacuations were required and, locally at least, we began to breathe a sigh of relief.
By the next day, however, we had begun to see the impact of this storm on the coast. The mobilization and deployment of our volunteers, which had begun before the storm, kicked into high gear again. Our local and regional chapter organizations worked tirelessly to move over 30 volunteers from Western New York (11 from right here in southwest New York) to the affected areas.
I was one of those who volunteered to help and was immediately told to depart for the greater New York area. By the afternoon of Nov. 1 I found myself hard at work in a shelter in Deer Park, Long Island, where we had more than 120 clients residing. I spent six days there, and then moved with our clients and staff to a larger shelter about 20 miles away. This shelter now has nearly 200 clients and the staff members required to support them, and we are also providing meals, snacks, water and other drinks, health services and mental health services to those affected, many of whom have lost everything.............
http://www.oleantimesherald.com/editorial/article_52d9c820-2cdf-11e2-b229-0019bb2963f4.html
asknreceive1-1054310,
Thank you for your calming perspective. These folks have faced a disaster I cannot even comprehend - losing homes, livlihoods and irreplacable personal treasures. They have a right to lash out at voluteers who cannot get them back on their feet as quickly as they'd like.
I am in no position to judge, so I will hold my tongue about "biting the hand .......", and just say that the Red Cross are the good guys.
Foolishness and incomprehensible ignorance of those BASHING.
ONE AGENCY can't fix everything
TWO can't
nor can THREE
IT TAKES MANY
Red Cross depends on unpaid volunteers.
FIND a neighborhood....call the LOCAL CHURCH...and ask WHAT YOU CAN DO.
.
.
.
If you are sitting in a warm, dry, furnished home and passing judgement on Newsvine...
SHAME ON YOU.
Did you consider the fact that maybe they are more effective because they have been able to attract and retain the services of a really good leader for their organization?
Why is it that when you look at a for-profit organization and you see a CEO that is taking 10's (even 100's) of millions that is just the price you pay for a good CEO, but this doesn't apply to a nonprofit?
Please! The election is over you can stop trying to sell $h!t and tell everyone it's roses. They still have gas rationing going on today, and people have been very outspoken on what a bad job was done yet again.
Roy, Obama was working with Christie hmmm within 24 hrs of Sandy. Maybe he should have aimed higher and sent in FEMA during Sandy? I'm extremely confused. You blame liberal media bias yet are here reading news from the liberal media. Go read Fox News or sumthin.
Also, Red Cross is becoming more and more bureaucratic, like Susan G Komen, and are probably political too, like Susan G Komen. Prob don't wanna help out the "blue states" despite the fact that we are all Americans here and Americans are suffering.
Logic Required, I read your link. I also found this in that article. Guess you can't read? Or maybe you wanted to criticize all disaster relief programs???
Read more: #ixzz2C2Z8hJMz
It sounds to me like many of these people are complaining because the American Red Cross didn't show up at their doors and solve all of their problems the day after the storm hit.
Well, guess what, that's never going to happen.
What exactly did Obama do? Besides photo ops and smiling. He did state "cut the red tape" (whatever that means), however it still took almost a week for significant presence from FEMA.
That said, I am not a fan of Obama, however, there is only so much a person can do. In reference to Bush and Katrina, read up and why there was no FEMA for so long. Obviously, Bush made huge mistakes, however calls were made to Governer Nagin to evacuate and basically said no and will evacuate as needed. Which Nagin announced 22 hours before Katrina hit. Their levees breaking is all on Governer Nagin. Of course everyone could have responded more effectively but continually placing blame doesn't fix what our current administration responsibility is for national disasters.
Why doesn't the Red Cross just put up a commercial or an ad asking for more volunteers?
You'd be surprised how many people are wondering how they could help.
I am pretty humbled and happy to see so many people on here speaking up (finally) for the American Red Cross and what it is, has, and will continue doing for the people of the United States and the world.
That having been said, I am dismayed and enraged even that I continue to see people complain about the ARC and the services it provides.
Let me put this simply...if you're wondering where the Red Cross is, I wonder in turn where the hell you were when disaster struck. If you think the ARC can continue to operate on an aged volunteer base forever, you're dead wrong. The sheer laziness and entitlement of this younger generation that not only is the cause for the lack of young disaster volunteers but, is the reason why we hear such brash and vulgar complaints, is revolting. This generation refuses to put in their fair share of volunteerism, and thinks tossing a few bucks at the American Red Cross is enough to ensure that a relief truck park in their driveway and a DSHR volunteer be attached to them as if they were a personal assistant.
So here's what I have to say to my egregiously selfish and entitled generation:
THAT'S NOT HOW IT WORKS!!!
Do not toss a few bucks at the ARC, never offer up a moment of service, and expect as much as you are expecting. It is purely miraculous that the ARC can do what it does, and it is because the same damned generation has been working tirelessly to continue the work of the ARC for several damned generations.
Get off your ASS! Get involved and do your fair share, you entitled, spineless little brat!
There is a very small minority of people under the age of 50 who donate their time to American Red Cross disaster relief efforts, or that of any other DR organization.
And next...
To the remarks like these:
"One can't help but wonder how much more Red Cross could be doing if a larger percent of the donations went to victims instead of Red Cross "administrative" costs (think about what their CEO takes home)...fortunately, there are less greedy organizations. My donation goes to the Salvation Army; highest percent of their donations go to help the victims."
One of the greatest challenges the American Red Cross has faced over the last few decades is the springing up of organizations who either entered the DR business out of greed, or for want of more dedicated religious followers. Even though the ARC has long been the Congressional chartered disaster relief agency, these other agencies didn't do the appropriate and good thing by working with the Red Cross to make sure service was well coordinated, but instead try to compete with the Red Cross.
You have no idea the devastation I've seen -- in Louisiana, thousands of makeshift shelters from the baptist churches and the Salvation Army were being closed by police and the National Guard for deplorable conditions, lack of access to food and water, and unsafe sleep conditions. This is the reality of these DR organizations that you're all commending...they've hurt so many people in their own selfish interests to obtain more followers, and have narrowly escaped criticism for reasons completely unknown to me.
I'm not saying this of all church relief efforts...the LDS church has a symbiotic relationship with the ARC to provide supplies, volunteers, and logistics to the ARC. They have achieved a gold standard for their work, yet take very little credit for it. So yeah, even though I'm about as anti-LDS as they get, thank the LDS church for putting charity ahead of recognition.
Finally--
I am going to straight up attack the viewpoint that the Salvation Army does any good. Not only do they have the loosest books in the charitable world, but they are a church whose self interests ALWAYS prevail over the simple act of charity. They also receive donations from many American businesses in raw product to sell in their stores that they won't even fathom of providing to the poor for free or at a discount, unlike Goodwill and the Deseret Industries.
And let's not forget -- THEY USED CHARITY FUNDS TO SPONSOR THE DAMNED SUPERBOWL!!!!
If the Red Cross or ANY other charitable organization sponsored ANY sporting event, they'd have been strung up by their toes...but when the SA spent MILLIONS to sponsor this particularly EXPENSIVE event, none of you blinked an eye.
Think about where your donations are really going, especially when a charity can use it's status of a church to withhold actual administrative costs and, THE COST OF SPONSORING THE DAMNED SUPERBOWL!!!!!
The Red Cross has become a worldwide colossal fraud. Its onetime Christian charity-oriented management officers have been supplanted by leftist ideologues. The organization has somehow thereby metamorphed into a communist front; it's purpose has metamorphed into a vehicle for funding the importation and establishment of illegal immigrants into western nations. These immigrants are being deliberately recruited, funded, and sent to skew elections in the United States and elsewhere toward leftist ideologues.
I realized this when I saw firsthand what the organization was doing locally when I volunteered for it a few years ago. There were fires in the city every week, typicaly three fires every week--always at a residence where it was obvious that new immigrants lived, usually started by "children" who could not be faulted or blamed, and always resulting in vouchers for money being given to the occupants on the spot no questions asked.
When an inspection was scheduled and a visit was expected from a Washington official, SOMEHOW MAGICALLY, for the two weeks prior to the inspection, there were NO fires in the city whatsoever.
That's all the clue I needed, and I left in disgust.
When the RC excuse-making spokespeople say "they put the money where the greatest need is" you must understand that their perceived "greatest need" is the subversion of those countries where Christians have traditionally been a sizable portion of the population.
Let the communists and other sorts of atheists mock. (They will surely mock.)
This is the truth.
When you read their mockery, you will know that--
because it will prove that--
this is the truth.
--John
The red cross does some good, but when people are hurting you pull out all the stops. When people were trying to help, the red cross said just give us money and we will deal with it. That is why they fail, they are so rigid and inflexible they could not possibly handle all the efforts alone. I would rather put my trust in someone who says we are doing everything we can and are calling the other organizations to assist. Red Cross is more worried about money and does not want credit going to other organizations as well. The Salvation Army will take all donations and use them. The red crosses response cannot be perfect if people are still in need and not getting it.
Eric followed by numbers
just what exactly has Barry done? even a shorrt time line of HIS actions if you please and then one sentance that explains what affect each action had , thanks
@JohnThinks Your particular brand of bull is demonstrated in your first paragraph:
The Red Cross has never, will never, and again...has never been a Christian organization. It has had a strict non-religious stance since it's inception.
Nope. No. Never. Say what you want, that's a fact. Period.
Now go tell your lies somewhere else. Take your pro-Christian bullcrap somewhere else, and stop trying to use the non-profit service field to expand your religious agenda...it actually hurts people.
from a poster:
"Why doesn't the Red Cross just put up a commercial or an ad asking for more volunteers?You'd be surprised how many people are wondering how they could help."
typical lefty ideologue comment , basically , "I am not volunteering , somebody else will do it"
REFORMING THE AMERICAN RED CROSS
petition
Dear America:
The American Red Cross has become a catering service and a hotel managing corporation. During the Civil War Clara Barton, founder of the American Red Cross here in the United States during 1881 and her nurses were out in the trenches. Not only were they feeding the hungry, caring for the sick and wounded, transporting and delivering, they did it all! They were not handing out donuts, and meals in trash bags. They speared headed an act of humanitarian help with compassion and a true purpose.
So, when I talk about reforming the American Red Cross it is clear and it has been demonstrated that people and communities can established their own self base organizations. Why should we pay an organization to do what we can do on our own? At least we will know where the money is being spent and allocated. Communities must learn to stand up for itself. Haven't we learn that with Hurricane Katrina, the earthquake in Haiti, Japan and now Hurricane Sandy? If the American Red Cross wants to be significant they should work with community base organizations and stop taking our money.
This is a new era and people must learn that they must be self reliant and the hell with these so call charities who continuously let us down. We must stop giving these organizations our hard earned money that are spent on lavish hotels and CEO's like Gail McGovern who spends her time making videos, praising her flawless organization and the great job they are doing in the meantime, never mentioning that her own high six figures salary comes from DONORS MONEY. The charity navigator will confirm her income.
Please join me by signing this petition in the efforts of letting the American Red Cross know that the buck stops here. Thank You.
For more information visit my blog at: volunteerconcerns.blogspot.com less
Daniel, You signed on December 5, 2012.
Your signature has been delivered to:
GAIL McGOVERN, CEO/PRESIDENT AND HER BOARD OF DIRECTORS
we signed "REFORMING THE AMERICAN RED CROSS"
18:55, Dec 06, Nilda Gerena, FL
18:37, Dec 06, David Gerena, NY
16:49, Dec 06, Mr. Daniel Torres, AZ
06:47, Dec 06, Ms. Laura Saxon, FL
23:12, Dec 05, Daniel Torres, FL
It is not enough to be an organization that strives to help people. It goes beyond that. When you ask the public to give, you must comply with the Charter and the Mission. Anything other than that is unacceptable. The founder of ARC., Clara Barton's intention was to help those in need without a profit margin.
This is not the first time there have been questions about the Red Cross response failures or, the way the Red Cross uses (or doesn't use) the tens of millions of dollars it receives in donations. And, the Red Cross President is paid almost 1 Million Dollars a year in salary! They won't get a plug nickle from me!!!
"The American Red Cross President and CEO Marsha J. Evans' salary for the year was $951,957 plus expenses. "
I absolutely agree. I haven't given a nickel to them since Katrina and their response. People gave to help the people in New Orleans and most of that money did not make it there. I would rather have a few names and their nearest post office so I can send them a package General Delivery. Then I know they actually recieved the help.
Fine. The rest of us will continue to help.
As a side note, I prefer to pay for high quality leaders. The local lunch lady may do it for less, but won't be nearly as good at it.
don't bother to use the damn internet to look up information. It's not like you have internet in your house... oh wait... you clearly do, jerk.
First, Ms Evans hasn't been CEO for over 4 years. Next that price you're quoting is a misunderstanding of financial data and she nor the current CEO makes that much.
Next the American Red Cross is a $3.5 billion organization all told and they provide a metric @!$%#-ton of services. Of which i hope no one needs but when you do, you'll be damn glad we're there.
In addition the current CEO makes something like $400K and she's a legend in the business world. She has done more for the ARC in 4 years than you or anyone you can name has done in their lifetime all while surviving cancer (and chemo). We are a brand new Red Cross that is working on a lot of internal changes that are going to make us 20 times more brilliant than we were before even and you'll probably already see some of those changes. The biggest ones are about to drop over the next 12 months or so. We are trying to completely reinvent the way nonprofits operate and deliver services that's far more efficient then ever before.
And for all our faults and successes, we STILL deliver 92 cents on the dollar. Look it up. It's the damn truth.
In fact, the only reason we lost that 4th star with charity navigator is because we became TOO efficient too quickly and it threw off their algorithms. We are working closely with them so that their models take into account the nature of the emergency services field and how our income and expenses can vary greatly depending on how busy of a year the disasters make it. Stay tuned.
I'll repeat this to my dying day; if you can figure out a way to do a better job than Ms McGovern for less than $400K/year, then step up and submit your plan. We're dying to hear it. 800-Red-Cross. Or you can just shut up because your whining doesn't help. We're also accepting volunteer applications because we've deployed just about every available volunteer at this point and we're not magical teleporters so we're doing as much as humanly possible.
Disasters are costly logistical nightmares and it takes the whole village to respond. No one organization (no matter what size) can handle it alone. Ask our partners (which, by the way is everyone you've ever heard of working on disasters) about how good of a job we do.
Every day millions of donors and volunteers back up our relatively tiny staff to do what we do about 150 years. That's staying power. Every day those donors and volunteers support the ARC to hire and retain the best and the brightest in their fields to do the absolute best job we can possibly do. We're not perfect like everyone else but we bust our butts every day to get better.
I say this not as an ARC employee or volunteer but as someone who has dedicated their life to making the nonprofit industry better one nonprofit at a time and has worked almost every angle of disaster preparedness, response, recovery and mitigation. This is one of the best organizations doing the work they do and in many cases the only organization doing the specific work they do. I came here specifically because of the presence and response I personally witnesses all over the country up to and including Sandy. I have attended preparedness meetings and disaster operations centers for towns of 50 people all the way up to Katrina and back again and the one constant is that the Red Cross was there setting an example for everyone else.
Disasters are a very tough and chaotic time. Everyone does their best to get the word out because traditional methods of communication are typically destroyed. But in the end, even though our name isn't on the side of the truck that ultimately finds you, it doesn't mean the ARC didn't have a hand in getting those supplies/support to you. It may not come across but my heart goes out to everyone affected. I just read that 120K people STILL don't have power and that blows a lot. We've released a ton of information on our website, on the 800 number and through our new smartphone apps. If you know someone who can't find us, please look up services for their area and hook them up with our location. We have more services available than you think probably.
So i ask all of you to take some time and do a little research to substantiate these claims and not rely on rumors and antidotes. Would you buy a car or a house based solely on rumors? Then why buy these? You owe it to yourself to be better informed than that.
I would like to thank the Red Cross for their efforts. We needed them in North Dakota in 1997 when the entire city of Grand Forks went under. It took time for me to get into my home and several weeks to get power and I live in a city that was under 100,000 people. This happened in the spring as did the flood that hit Minot, ND. NY residents have even more of a catastrophe than we did and I can't imagine the mess that holds things back. People have to be patient but its hard given the time of year and the weather. The Red Cross is there but devastation is massive for just one organization. Red Cross you are appreciated.
Heck of a job, ARCie.
Not to mention that FEMA reimburses them for their costs. Salvation Army is the only way to go.
I checked your numbers because the last CEO of the Red Cross "only" was paid ~$500,000.........AND YOU are correct. Marsha Evans becomes one of the 1%ers with her salary and expense compensation that you quoted correctly...........
This may be a difficult job but so is brain and heart surgery and we feel no problem with criticizing the cost of hospitals and doctors.............but 1 million a year in a CHARITABLE organization...............NAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH!
I think I will not donate to the Red Cross again and concentrate more on local organizations and the Salvation Army which does a great job without paying their CEO/President a cushy salary
The Red Cross gets a score of 60 out of 70 from ratings organizations. Only 4% goes to administrative costs.
Get over yourselves criticizers......the Red Cross could pack up and leave would that be better?
The Red Cross is a big organization. It's CEO demands a good salary. Please list other organizations that rate better than the Red Cross in New York.
Want the Truth ... @ 2.0: Evans hasn't been the CEO of ARC for several years. The new CEO actually receives MORE than $1m a year in compensation and the ARC STILL returns the majority of monies received back to its disaster relief efforts. In fact (note stats at #1.48) ARC has the highest return rate of any such organization in the nation. Do your homework and check your facts before you start trashmouthing. Sure, you are certainly entitled to direct your charitable donations wherever you choose. You may even, as is most likely, choose not to contribute to any charities and merely pretend you have a right to be indignant. But, you should at least have the dignity to get your facts straight.
Jeanne @ #2.6, Reality check. Please donate to Salvation Army or whomsoever you choose, but also be aware that SA has only an 82% efficiency rating. That means they keep more of their money for payroll and personal incomes than they return to the communities where they work.
@MisterWonderful - Google "hurricane sandy atheists". That will answer your question.
If not the Red Cross, then who?
Wow, people are lame. Red Cross doesn't "have" to be there. I understand exec pay complaints. But the right well-paid exec can be worth far more than his salary in organization efficiency and effectiveness. It is a case by case basis if a high paid individual is worth the pay. People who are unhappy with the Red Cross are misdirecting their frustration and need to adopt a rugged individualism mind set.
And because RC is "not for profit" they don't get taxed!!!!
The Red Cross spends 92% of its budget on programs, not administration. Goal for non-profits is 80% or more. The CEO (Gail McGovern, not Marty Evans, who left in 2006), makes $500,000 per year. Her salary looked higher in 2010 because she received a one-time moving bonus when she took the position. The Red Cross is not and has never been a "Christian" organization--their founding documents include specific language about nuetrality and impartiality, and they help anyone in need, regardless of religion. They do most of their work with volunteers, who give up weeks at a time to be there for a big response like Sandy. They're doing a great job with what they have--they can't be everywhere, and don't have hovercraft to get to islands any sooner than any other traffic.
What ever you do don't donate a vehicle to the Red Cross you'll never get a receipt for it (proof its not yours anymore). I did it and asked for the receipt for over two years never got it. I donate to others now..don't trust the Red Cross!
Well, there are a million more individual stories of success, so I really don't think yours should dictate what people donate. I donate monthly to them, will continue to do so and suggest that others do as well.
that seems fishy since the ARC doesn't directly accept vehicles or really much of any "stuff." I think your beef is with some other organization.
The Red Cross gets a score of 60 out of 70 from ratings organizations. Only 4% goes to administrative costs.
Get over yourselves criticizers......the Red Cross could pack up and leave would that be better?
Yes, blame the Red Cross..... but don't blame the government though (where were they?)........ 4.8 million meals served so far? How many days has it been? I say that's pretty impressive.
The Red Cross offer emergency response, not rebuilding response. Maybe they should start handing out 5 gallon buckets of fuel?
FEMA and the National Guard were in NY within the first days. The Federal government responded not the local governments.
Don't forget the Salvation Army and Southern Baptist Disaster Relief. SBDR had food kitchens from 25 states on site and serving several hundred thousand meals daily. Both of these groups are first-in responders and frequently beat the Red Cross to disasters.
Helen, I understand many FEMA offices were closed because of weather after the large snowfall. Nice to get a government snow day with pay .
Sorry Helen, the Feds aren't there. Has FEMA showed up the temp housing, generators, etc? Why not scream loud about the non help from the Obama administration as you did about the Bush administration after Katrina?
Not a lot of people know this but the American Red Cross actually pays the expenses of the Southern Baptist Disaster Relief Kitchens. (food and fuel and sometimes even mileage)
jmm, I heard the same thing. How sad. It sounds like FEMA is there for you as long as nothing bad happens.
I believe you are mistaken about the Southern Baptist Disaster Relief Kitchens. Their funding comes members of the Southern Baptist Convention with 100% of donated funds going for supplies. The kitchens are manned by volunteers and all administrative costs are provided from Southern Baptist Conference general funds to insure funds given go to relief efforts do not go for overhead. They provide for anyone in need without discrimination.
helenny; that is FEMA's job, however, according to other NY residents it has taken almost a week. The State failed massively by not taking it's own precautions and preparedness to help initially.
That being said, national disasters problems are not going to get fixed anytime soon. Millions of NY/NJ residents affected by this storm (and other states) there is only so much they can do.
after floods in Missouri in late 1990's local hospitals loaded up their ambulances with as much hot FOOD, like Mac n cheese and sandwiches to deliver to people EVERYDAY, and upon arriving to give out the "red cross" told them to KEEP IT, they REFUSED to take ANY FOOD DONATIONS, and the SAME for any CLOTHES or BLANKETS. Really........?? Only once was it accepted after a RC supervisor who had just yelled to take the hot food away discovered a local radio DJ with a microphone was reporting this abuse live...........
Unfortunately, some of the reasons clothes and blankets cannot be accepted are: Individuals have donated dirty underwear (yes!). Blankets and clothes are not able to be disinfected prior to distributing to those in need. In ARC shelters, once an individual leaves the shelter, the cot is cleaned by a volunteer for the next person in need. Spreading of disease in shelters can become a major event and every precaution is taken to protect the health of those individuals who need immediate shelter, food and safety. Volunteer medical staff is also present at ARC shelters.
I worked Katrina for the Red Cross as a volunteer. We worked 12-13 hours per day, slept on the floor in a gym, took a shower with bottled water (due to state of local water). We had to go out in the hazerdous areas to to get anywhere. I climbed stairs to elderly people to make sure they had food and other supplies. People were grateful. I still have the images of the all the damage, I still carry with me the stories survivors told me, the sight and smell of the dead, houses marked with an X. As I said I was a volunteer. We gave out food, shelter, clothing, diapers, blankets, water and love.
The Red Cross may not be perfect but it's volunteers are and it is sad that people are so critical.
The Red Cross gets a score of 60 out of 70 from ratings organizations. Only 4% goes to administrative costs.
Get over yourselves criticizers......the Red Cross could pack up and leave would that be better?
The Southern Baptist Disaster Relief service pays it's salaries from other funds and not what is donated. They give 100%. However, the salaries have to come from somewhere.
There are regulations that Red Cross has to meet like anyone else. If something is brand new and in the package it is a lot easier for that to be excepted than a bag of opened products. You also have to remember that security has to be provided for the workers as well as a place to sleep.
Regardless of who is right and who is wrong, to come out and say publicly that job you've done is 'nearly flawless' while thousands of people still suffer mightily is as arrogant as one can be.
Besides, if you have to tell people you're something you probably aren't.
You hit the nail on the head Ruefus. My only addition to your comment is that they (as well as others), forgot State Island and Rockaway Beach...How do you completely miss two large residential areas?
I wasn't there, I don't know how it went, but to say it was flawless is arrogant.
I will give the people of the affected areas a lot of credit; there's no comparison in the behaviors of the peoples in NJ, NY and other areas in contrast to those in New Orleans. They pulled together to help each other out whenever they could, those that had, gave to those that didn't. A real testament to all of them.
I know I will draw heat for this...but is it ever possible to please a New Yorker? The Red Cross is not the only organization...just the most visible target. It might be better if you were part of the solution instead of the problem. You know like the individuals who protested in front of the utilities and had two congress men gripe as well. Why not direct that energy at the source and make a difference? Instead of protesting ask what you can do to help.
Next
AMEN! I live in the West and am fortunate enough that I don't have to worry about hurricanes, tornadoes or nor-easters. I have to wonder though what preparations were made by these people, that don't think the red cross has done enough, to help themselves. I know that if I was warned of an impending disaster I would take steps to have what I needed for at least 2 weeks including warm clothing, blankets, food and water. With a week notice this gave them more than adequate warning to be prepared. Anything extra should be counted as a blessing and received with gratitude.
Of corse they weren't around N.J. Christie was trying to help Romney and collect federal help too!
notsure and kim,
You have no idea what the hell you are talking about. notsure, I am a New Yorker and I and many others have worked our asses off to help others in this area. What have you done? Did you also talk @!$%# about the people of New Orleans and why they didn't help themselves? How do you suppose warm clothing and blankets are going to help those without heat or power keep warm when there is snow outside and their house is ripped open? How about those that didn't have a home left?
Kim, you have pretty big balls talking about people being prepared after saying you don't have to worry about such disasters. Instead of preaching on high, how about you get off your ass and come here and help? How much warning would you need to prepare for your entire life to be blown away in a storm? If your house was utterly destroyed and all your belongings washed away, would you only need 2 weeks to be ready for it? I and many others have been at Sandy's ground zero in places like Staten Island. The Red Cross is doing exactly dick to help many people here. There are piles of food and supplies that aren't even being distributed. The Red Cross is taking up huge areas of parking lots and only utilizing 10% of it when the rest of the area could be set up for shelters, sorting debris, feeding people. There is no organization!! Many have actually declaired mission accomplished and packed up and left.
It is an incredibly arrogant and asinine statement to say "is it ever possible to please a New Yorker?". How about you google the term "Brown Cross" It is the name of a group of people started in this area by a veteran. It started out as a small group and grew into over 100 that are picking themselves up by their bootstraps and doing with their small unfunded team what the well supplied and staffed Red Cross could not. The Red Cross is not the only organization here, but they are the most staffed and best funded and have overall done the least to help people in this area. Until you 2 have been here helping instead of playing desktop quaterback, this New Yorker thinks you should keep your bull@!$%# opinions to yourself.
Cheferic:
Is the "Brown Cross" the organization that has been around on Staten Island to help in disasters? I caught a newstory of an organization and didn't catch their name. I will be most pleased to go on these kind of stories and direct what I can to whatever organization is right on "ground zero".
I think we are all talking about an organization that we a limited amount of knowledge about.That having been said there are some things I do know from personal experience:
-after a fire in my home the red cross was there within 2 hours. These people like most of the people you meet are volunteers.
- It was midnight, they never asked me if I could pay, only what I needed that night. My family and pets slept in a safe place that night.
I checked into training to be a volunteer, but my work scheduled didn't allow for the time it would take.
- Most of these people are VOLUNTEERS, that have spent a year of their own time and money to do what they are doing.
- They get very little, if any compensation.
Now for my opinion about the storm and response. I lived in Virginia a much smaller area, that has weathered several hurricanes. My friend lived without power and did not have their home repairs completed for several months simply because there were limited resources and people able to do the repairs.
Think of the size of the area effected an the number of people in need. It can't be done by one organization that quickly or alone. So to you sir I am sure that more could be done or done better, but because you saw it personally doesn't mean you really know anything about the organization or how to help in a disaster. Maybe go out again and just do what you can.
That's the same group. Those guys are machines and acting solely out of kindness and compassion. I have friends that are helping them. They run like a military operation. Everything is as organized as a well oiled machine and they are drawing more and more help every day simply because they are doing so much good. A very heart warming story. I'll try to post the link, but not sure it will let me.
Frank Recce was a war hero and now a home-grown hero. Hard work and sacrifice like his should be the model that the rest of us live up to. If there were more people in this country like him, we would all be better off.
Tim0,
I apologize for generalizations. I hate when people do that for any reason and I am now guilty of doing the same. The Red Cross, as a whole, is an excellent and noble organization that have saved countless lives over several generations. They have helped millions of people over the years and it was not right of me to paint them in a bad light with such a broad brush. I never meant that the Red Cross was all bad. I simply wanted to state that, in instances here, there is a great deal of disorganization and misuse of resources. It is not done intentionally, I am sure. However, it might be in everyone's best interest to concede much of their resources, volunteers and help to someone in an authoritative position locally that might better suit the needs of those in this area.
Thanks.
Red Cross has problems with the top level management, always has. But, most of what they got are volenteers, and organizing thousands of volenteers is a pretty rough task to ask of anyone.
If you really want to complain about something, complain about FEMA.
Well said. Not perfect, but many good people are working hard under the Red Cross efforts up there. it would be more productive to support rather than attack them at this time.
Capt.Cave.Man
Better yet. Stop complaining. Volunteer, your time. And, go help. There are volunteers there, from all over the country. I used to do that, until I suffered a severe heart asttack. Now, have a defibrultor, and pace maker. I wish, I could still help. But, can only send money. Stop complaining, and help, each other.
Yep, I had heard that the CEO salary for Red Cross was a million dollars, but found it hard to believe. Guess it is true. Sounds way out of line for this kind of organization. What really gets to me is when people complain about FEMA. Those guys were johnny-on-the-spot getting to the disaster and are doing everything they humanly can.
I checked to see how Joplin, Missouri residents voted in this election since FEMA has spent half a BILLION dollars there since the tornado hit that small town. They were all so happy to see the President when he got there and praised FEMA, etc.
Turns out they overwhelmingly voted for Romney who wanted to cut out FEMA altogether.
LOL
Nice gratitude, Joplin!
The people of Joplin are very grateful for the help of the Red Cross, FEMA and many thousands of other volunteers.
But remember that Missouri is a very strong GOP state, I am sure that many if not all of the one-third of Joplinites that had their homes and businesses wiped off the face of the earth that day did vote Dem.
They know first hand that FEMA saved them.
Most people seem to think that if people are coming to their door to help even before the storm is over then they are ignoring them. It took a few days before a lot of the FEMA people were able to do much and the Red Cross was there but not going door to door looking for people to help, you have to look around and ask where you can get help, but just sit on your backside and whine tha no one wants to help. People have gotten to where they think that everything should be done for them in seconds.
As usual, you left out the last part of his plan. And, that was to move those responsibilities and resources to the local government, where it can be more effectively managed and cost less. The election is over. You can stop stumping for Obama now.
So you're saying that the President buys votes when the federal govt responds to disasters. Do you really mean that or am I reading something into your statement that you didn't intend??
People in MO should have gotten what they deserve........Romneycized! Since when has the Republican party given Republican voters the "small" or "downsized" government they have always promised?? Government got BIGGER under 8 years of Bush/Cheney and Republicans certainly know how to spend money on BIG military things.............remember "Star Wars" missile defense...................where is all of THAT money Cheney? People in MO WAKE UP! and read a real newspaper, really do what it says in the bible and not only on Sunday morning and stop watching FOX news
Sounds about right, NC. Guess GOP had "Romnesia" concerning the Patriot Act. Biggest breach of our freedom! And Obama wants a few healthcare programs and its "communism." DAFUQ?????!!!!
Well, about Romney wanting to eliminate FEMA and have the individual States to take over disaster relief, I saw the mayor of one of the towns hit by Sandy say about two days after the storm, that were it not for FEMA, and New York and New Jersey had been forced to bring in their own resources to help with the disaster, it would have been all hell breaking loose with both States fighting over water, food, emergency aid, etc.
But, hey, then the rest of the 48 states could have just said "Best of luck to ya" and looked the other way.
Watch out for united way, red cross, and most of the big Charities have CEO with really high salary. I give to churches, priest and minister don't do it for the pay, they do it to help.
The CEO of the Salvation Army only earns $ 13,000 a year.
"The CEO of the Salvation Army only earns $ 13,000 a year."
And leads a homophobic cult... I'd rather see an organization pay nearly a million dollars for a top level executive type with real world business experience than an amateur who brags about taking very little cash (but tons of free perks) while not accepting the help of openly non-straight people.
Always the gay agenda.
chouse: maybe it's time you came out of the closet.
The Salvation Army feeds tens of thousands of people every day no matter what their race, creed, color, gender, etc.
and nobody is getting rich off of it.
I thought Red Cross is homophobic?? They don't accept blood donations from gays, or people who've had sexual relation with gays. They seem to have forgotten that its 2012 and not 1980.
CEO of Salvation army almost make 500K red cross at about 625K look at snopes to see the lies about non profit salaries. Religous organizations tend to take care of their own first. Red cross is not homaphobic they do not take blood from people that have same sex relations because the FDA says no because of the 80's. They are a federal regulated because blood is considered a pharmacutical and a bio hazard. Salaries of all non profits have to be public do some research
Ok, I did some deeper fact checking for Salvation Army salaries. This is the scoop:
"Commissioners W. Todd Bassett and his wife Carol A. Bassett jointly received basic living allowances and grants totaling $64,210 for 2004 plus housing valued at $34,116. That is still considerably less than the salaries of some of the other top charities."
This is a combined salary for two working individuals, plus grants are included in that amount. They aren't exactly getting rich off of it.
As for blood donations, I can't find any reference to the Salvation Army accepting any blood donations anywhere. Every site I have seen, the Salvation Army refers blood donors to the American Red Cross.
Guess that is just another crazy rumor regarding the gay blood donorship thing.
earthgirl said: "chouse: maybe it's time you came out of the closet."
WTF? Because I dislike hate filled organizations in this day and age, you'd say something as stupid as that? Who the hell do you think you are?
If it matters - quite hetero myself, but I have lots of LGBT friends - and I won't support an organization that discriminates - and when somebody mentions one of those that do as a "good organization" I have no problems making sure people know that's BS - like you!
The Salvation Army feeds tens of thousands of people everyday without question of race, creed, religion, gender, etc.
96% of their donations goes directly to feed these people.
This is how it is folks..when you live in a natural disaster...you need patience..we did in port Aurthur TX...the electricians work their azzezz off trying to restore power..and we had the same dumb azeezz saying why don't we have power yet.....you will as soon its safe to do so..i was happy when my time came..so welcome to where we live by the ocean folks..this is how poor people live without AC...thats why it did not bother me
this shows me how much our country is spoiled a disaster of this size is not fixed in 2 or 3 weeks it will take month just to get where u have food and shelter stop wining and help yourself a little more. i hate to see what happens when or if ever we would have a disaster of a magnitude of 10. only the poor could handle it because they are used to have little or nothing
thats right
the Amish have probably restored their community to 100% by now...
rememeber...when storm season stock up with water...gas...food...even if you dont eat or drink the water..you can give to the salvation army...and start again next go around
I just want to thank all of those same electritions who work there azzezz of to help us get out power back on.and volunteers..when we were in crises..in Texas.you wont get bi-ching from me..NY NJ..thank them dont bi-tch at them
The Red Cross is highly over rated. I've had dealings with them with blood donation and platelet donation, they'r eon my tv everyday crying about needing blog etc. I had 25 people wanting to donate platelets for my Dad when he had his stem cell transplant, they wanted to charge me 86.00 a pint for people to donate. Same thing for me, I was having surgery wanted to donate my own blood, had to cough up 86.00. Never again will they get a dime of my money or a pint of my blood!
i gave my blood for free..how is that
i know they pay the poor money for plasma..25 dollars i think
Okay, I had a feeling this would come up. First off, it is against the law to provide monetary compensation for blood donations. Doing so would compromise the integrity of the screening process. Remember the AIDS epidemic? Who do you think pays for lab tests to ensure a safe blood product? Who pays the technicians who perform these tests? Who pays the phlebotomists who draw the blood? Who pays for the gas to transport a team to perform blood drives? It should be all volunteer you say? As someone who worked for a not for profit blood bank I can tell you that logistics for even one good sized blood drive can be intimidating at the very least. Second, yes, there are still some places that provide a small amount of money for plasma donations. However, plasma is merely a volume expander. Great advancements have been made in research and testing of synthetic blood, but we're still years away from it being practical. There is NO substitute for human blood.
You pay because it cost money for the platlette kit, if you were just donating platletes it would be free if you donate for yourself or a family member it cost money for kit. ARC still pays to test the product and handle it until it is uttilized.
I bet a dime in a dozen..fox news will go and interview the bi-chers..to stir up trouble..who wants to bet
You're probably right Elvs...
they already have, Hannity is playing the same sound clip over and over of some lady begging for Obama to help them or they are going to die.
hahahah I told yall
fox is not news. Fox fiction.
Um just look at old Dick Morris ,tells you everything wrong about Faux News...Faux News and its conspirators do not want the country to be happy....Hannity is a perfect example
gee yesterday Diane Fistein was on Fox News because she heads the board on Libya, I guess fox news is good enough for a Liberal like her. So all you Liberals need to get your head's out of your ass when it comes to Fox News if it was not for them we would of never found out about any Obama's bullshirt. The difference between Liberals and Repulicans, we new what would happen when Obama got elected, you Liberals all have your heads up your ass, so have fun with all the new taxes and more unemploment, more welfare takers and now all the college girls can screw their way through college because they will get free bith control and abortion.
I know that the only news channels that will give the truth half a chance is Fox News. You people need to hope that fox news continues to show your plight so that the Obama administration won't forget you. I have notice that He hasn't said a word about what is going on up there since he had his big photo opp. I have never seen a person that just shows up an says a few words and leaves and never checks back to see what is being done. But you all up in that part of our country voted for him. I do hope that Fema might come to your aid soon.
Chas...the men in the white jackets will be coming for a visit to the a$$holes who voted for Jokebama the human photo-op....idiots. They got what they deserved and it is a complete disaster. THEN you can call FEMA to solve the piece-of-sh*t debacle this country is mired in ....
I can tell you first hand that FEMA was on Long Island, NY within the first few days helping with food and much needed information. I personally didn't see the Red Cross for the first 12 days. The National Guard was giving out hot meals and the next day it was the Red Cross. Giving addresses on the internet to people who don't have electric seems just a bit odd to me.
fema was the best thing ...thank you fema..from Texas
Thank you FEMA from New York. They were and are amazing.
It must have been the karma from Christie and Hussein's "hug." When an organization needs to pat itself on it's own back, you know it wasn't "nearly perfect." America just loves it's "spin."
The Pretender-in-Chief and the fat bast*rd traitor Chrissie boy. They make a perfect (gay) pair....a$$hole LIBTARDS.
The hard hit areas are very densely populated. For the Red Cross to get to every area means extremely thin coverage. It is simply mathematically impossible to be everywhere for everyone with that many people affected. Rather than be ungrateful that you yourself aren't being helped, be thankful that at least some people are being helped and hopefully it will come to you in time as well. Or maybe Volunteer. Living on islands, living extremely densely, flooded areas, areas without electricity, airports, tunnels, subways, roads closed down....... it isn't an easy task getting everywhere let alone all at once.
I was a social worker in three major urban areas over a period of time. The only thing I was aware of the Red Cross doing was collecting money. I was in a disaster in 2009. The Red Cross was supposedly doing all kinds of things in the area but they missed me and my neighbors. I'm in my 70's and on my own in an ice storm that lasted a week without power. No red cross, no surprise.
You needed the red cross for an ice storm? Wow.
Everyone is right. dont blame the red cross , dont blame the government , etc. blame those who decided to stay . two days before the storm they were warned , dont stay here , if you stay we will not be able to help you anymore, and they stayed. I feel terrible for those in the harms path of this devastating storm , but if you stayed after being warned not to stay you have no right to blame anyone but yourselves
I couldn't agree more.
What do you think the Hate the Liam street media would be spewing if Bush were still President. Just look back at Katrina. They tried to crucify him. However the let Odumbo go. Go figure. If he were worth any salt he would declare an emergency and Mobilize the military to set up emergency Structures (i.e., Mobile hospital and other assets they have stored for like occasions) Combat engineers to rapid move and repair as needed. But just let him have his pass. Cause he gives us or welfare checks, right.
got to make it political your master romney did not even go there to see about the damage
Hey bragefilly, was he the POUS? Exactly what could Romney have done? Obama is the President and it's his call, not a presidential candiate's. Romney got crucified for Benghazi and what did Obama do, LYE-LYE-LYE.
Romney wanted to do away with FEMA. Why wouldn't he release his taxes? hmmm
takenaka, Where's Obama suspiciously sealed college transcripts? Don't you asking why but then a good Obot never question his master's motives.
Funny thing Tad, I don't recall seeing Romney's college transcripts either. Where are they? or are you just talking out of you a$$ like most teabaggers do?
Oh STFU takenekanakeakenake bast*rd. At least Gov. Romney didn't spend MILLIONS of the taxpayers money keeping his own QUESTIONABLE records SEALED. You are what is wrong with this country and Jokebama is what is wrong FOR America. Libtard BLOWHARD POS....and Smellie, I would rather be a Republican teabagger, than a DUMBocrat GARBGAE bagger. Go back to your mommy's couch and wait for your welfare check, you POS freelaoder...
Absolutely Chris!
Who in their right mind would have thought that so many fools would disobey an order to evacuate, and then cry because they are not the first ones taken care of?
You really expected something different? It's the America way. Whine and cry when you aren't first in line.
Talk about a whiner, Smellie...you are the WORST kind of human there is. A Muslim supporting Blowbama lover.
Ah, the age old myth that when there is a disaster the Red Cross needs to be on every corner instantly with everything a person could need. Where were the politicians? Were they out there? Of course not, but its not their fault they needed to have that second helping of pie while their voters were being washed away. Its not the fault of the fools who believed themselves more powerful than the largest know storm on earth, a hurricane. After all when people are telling you to leave because of the danger its much easier to take the macho route and swagger about as all those weaklings pack up and depart for safer ground. It's the fault of the Red Cross. Yes, lets all shift the blame for the entire affair on an organization that simply tries to do the best it can with what it's got.
Richard-3533523--What are politicians going to do?? They don't have a giant eraser to erase all the damage, get real. The president was there right after the storm and he had already set the wheels in motion for the national guard and FEMA to in there.
I agree that when you have as much time to get prepared to a storm, then you need to do tha and then when you are told to leave LEAVE!! It has become the thing to do any more, do what you want and then blame others when you get in trouble and to expect to get bailed out immediately. People need to grow up and take responsiblity for their foolishness.
Former...Blowbama was there for his photo op with that fat bast*rd suck up traitor Christie. Then he just as quickly left for Vegas to golf and MORE fundraising. He didn't set a DA*NED THING in motion except Air Force One (which costs taxpayers $180,000 every time he uses it...to a staggering tune of 12 BILLION dollars in just under 4 years.) OUTRAGEOUS. The Pretender- in -Chief should be impeached for crimes against humanity. That is a POS in my book, a$$tard.
Whether residents stayed or not doesn't affect the damage done or provide an excuse the lack of preparation on the part of the Red Cross, Government and relief agencies. Without someone around, your belongings would be stolen. Five days without food, water and relief supplies is not acceptable. FEMA showed up and gave out a WEB Address and a 800 number. Warm shelter, food and clothing were overlooked by the Red Cross, however they did not forget to ask for more money of which only a portion will go to direct relief.
This should be a lesson for all communities. This country is not capable of handling a major disaster. A review of priorities and plans for storage and distribution of basic supplies needs to be done. The current training and participation in civil defense for this type of disaster is shameful. Maybe communities will wake up and improve these programs. We are exceptional when a minor disaster occurs. Not so good when it is major.
maybe the (sheep), general public, should plan ahead, protect themselves, etc. instead of sitting in the nest with their mouth open waiting for food to drop. We have a nation of whiners screaming "where's mine".
You are unrealistic to think the average person can prepare for type of disaster they have had in Staten Island, coney Island, Breey Point and Rockaway. Sure you should have 3 days of water and food and batterys and clothes, but we are at two weeks now; by now the Govt and relief orgs should have responded and they have failed.
I only know two families of the dozens I know, that have serious food/water/fuel/ shelter stockpiled (3 months or more).
Red cross is not the best thing..but it is help..fema was the best..in Texas
Obviously FEMA isn't doing anything here either...