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Not to use a pun to "rain on anyone's parade" but I am NOT a fan of the American Red Cross for several reasons:
My Uncle was a Marine that in the heat of battle at Guadalcanal lost his "bed roll". The Red Cross gave him a new one, and then had it deducted out of his next pay check.
In January of 1972, when my Uncle that I lived next door to all of my life died. I called the Red Cross to arrange for Emergency Leave to attend his funeral. They screwed that up, and I was reprorted as AWOL on the very day that I was set to receive my Army Commendation Medal.
^ Matt - Instead of slamming the Red Cross (legitimately or not), why don't you make a recommendation for a charity you think is a worthy one? "Raining on the parade" is exactly what you are doing with this post by airing your grievances.
On a more positive note, Jim, please give us a report on your trip. I'm especially interested in your experience on the river cruise since the +1 and I are headed on one next year. Perhaps by the time you return, Houston (and your daughter and her husband) will be in a better place.
In my Corporate job when I worked for a living I worked another department that gave utility assistance to needy families. They worked daily with the Red Cross. It was always a very positive experience and I would encourage everyone to overlook a few bad experiences.
Watching the news is heartbreaking, I cannot imagine what these folks are dealing with and how they will continue to deal with their issues. I hang out in a photo forum on FB. One woman lives in TX and her home was flooded. She lost her camera gear, her computer, her children lost their belongings, including musical instruments. So sad. She was able to take this photo of her daughter with a cell phone, a friend added the caption. I'll be honest, I'm not too sure of the power of prayer in these circumstances, but I have sent in a donation.
I like providing goods to be transported to the loss site. I have a pretty good sense that my money is going directly to those in need. As for cash contributions, I like to wait a bit to see what is really needed before I write a check to who-knows-what. I remember that charities raised many times the money needed for the victims of Katrina, yet certain needs still went unmet. I recall that some of us here contributed to a church group that one of our members had some connection with.
I personally feel it is too early to send cash donations anywhere. Samaritan's Purse mentioned above is a really good one and Salvation Army is another. There will be real relief funds in place to help these folks in time. I have no personal experience with any big relief organization and truly hope I never have to avail myself of such aid.
+1 for the Salvation Army. They put a greater percentage of donations to work in direct aid than almost any other charity.
Good strategy, holding off on cash donations. They will be needed in the months to come and as the news cycle moves on fewer donations will come in. Fortunately help for Texas will probably continue for years to come. We had volunteers here five years after Katrina. And they had no problem finding really useful things to do.
