Thank the Lord we got " W "

[Innkeeper]

Guys & gals, I have a lifetime experience with these agencies. I was filling and tossing sandbags in Waterbury, CT, up from Long Island, back in the 50's after Hurricane Diane came through. The Salvation Army had volunteers passing out blankets, and the Red Cross was selling coffee for $.50 a cup (in the 50's!).

In the late 70's, got involved with the United Way, and served on allocation committees with them through '87. Both agencies where there the whole time. Here is the difference. The Red Cross distrubutes their funds evenly, depending on need. The Salvation Army, being a religion, gives all their funds to their parishioners. This includes all the Christmas turkeys. Let me hasten to add that their parishioners are among the poorest people in our communities. However, all the money goes to them, and not to anyone else. They do ask these people to help out in emergencies such as I mentioned above.

When I say, all their funds, I mean all their funds above their administrative costs, which run 20% in both their cases. The United Way, despite their prior difficulties mentioned above, run 12%. There are agenies, like those plugged by the President, that are contributing all their funds raised to tragedy relief. That is where your money should go.