In a message dated 11/10/01 2:56:26 PM GMT Standard Time, darylat@home.com writes: > It is about time that these charities become accountable for monies donated > to them. Forget the Red Cross and United Way. They have always operated > this way. Just my two cents worth but I always give to St. Vincent de Paul. Like others on this list my family has had problems with the Red Cross. St. Vincent de Paul isn't nationally well known but it operates in most local areas and is strong in New York. The great thing about them is that when you go to them for help they have access to disaster funds as well as local funds. They stayed to take care of the people with Hurricane Andrew for five years after the big blow. You still have to go to them but they are as near as your local Catholic Church and you don't have to be Catholic to apply for aid. The National Headquarters is in St. Louis. Colleen