I agree with both of you all. I tended to want to donate, but to an organization that I knew. Though donating your time is the best, because you can keep informed as to what organizations are doing what you feel is right, you have knowledge, because your informed through the volunteering. My local church has a thrift shop, so I shop there, but know that there is allot of people being helped, because I'm involved in the helping or at least hear about it! Though too, when I had seen an ad in the window for volunteers, not long before 9-11, then the disaster happened, I did want to go volunteer, but decided to stay with what I knew. But then there are other disasters, besides the most famous ones, fires, domestic violence, such, others, natural ones! WE've all become so ungrateful in the US, taking for granted what we have, not thinking of anyone except ourselves, not donating to "our fellow man" as far as that's concerned! But since the major disaster of Sept. 11, our world is becoming more "caring", I for one applaud it! But if you figure on every penny is going to be donated then, your sadly misinformed, but still they could say so during the advertisement too! Us FL people get bombarded for numerous organization wanting donations, but I only do to ones that I feel strongly about, mostly local. Fellow lister. Cathy Raber ----- Original Message ----- From: Cotter, Anna To: PA-PITTSBURGH-L@rootsweb.com Sent: 11/9/01 5:11:31 PM Subject: RE: [PITTSBURGH] 911 donations What I think is happening is that anyone that donated money at that time is now automatically assumed to have donated for that one event. I will speak for myself I didn't necessarily intend for my money to go to this specific event. I trust that all these organizations will be helping all the families. But unfortunately it's going to take time and the families just can't sit back and "wait" to be contacted. And I agree that it is always better to give money to local chapters where you can see what they are doing for yourself. -----Original Message----- From: Marilyn Prinzing [mailto:marjenp@mindspring.com ] Sent: Friday, November 09, 2001 5:07 AM To: PA-PITTSBURGH-L@rootsweb.com Subject: Re: [PITTSBURGH] 911 donations There is no doubt that local chapters of the Red Cross do important work. I have read that local charities have been suffering from lack of funds due to the National charities receiving the funds for N.Y. I agree with Sandy. The national media appeal by the Red Cross using the N. Y. disaster for donations did lead the public to believe that the money was going directly to the families of the victims of the disaster. It is really a shame that the public wasn't given a chance to make informed choices as to where to donate their money. Maybe the safest way is to give money is to donate to your local homeless shelters and battered women safe houses. Better still, maybe we all need to volunteer some of our time to help those in need. Marilyn; Lake Co., IL ----- Original Message ----- From: "Sandy Laurie" sandylaurie@alltel.net To: PA-PITTSBURGH-L@rootsweb.com : Anna, I can see your point of view, but I believe the general public was deceived. The Red Cross, upfront, should have said that all the donations would not go to WTC disaster relief . . . then John Q. Public could decide if he wanted to donate to the Red Cross or another fund that specified all monies would go to NY disaster relief . . . or to the police and firemen's fund directly. Those donating were not given that option. : : Sandy : ==== PA-PITTSBURGH Mailing List ==== How to unsubscribe. Send a message to:PITTSBURGH-L-REQUEST@rootsweb.com that contains ONLY the word, 'unsubscribe' in the text area. ============================== Ancestry.com Genealogical Databases http://www.ancestry.com/rd/rwlist2.asp Search over 2500 databases with one easy query! ==== PA-PITTSBURGH Mailing List ==== How to unsubscribe. Send a message to:PITTSBURGH-L-REQUEST@rootsweb.com that contains ONLY the word, 'unsubscribe' in the text area. ============================== Ancestry.com--Your #1 Source for Family History Online--FREE for 14 Days http://www.ancestry.com/rd/redir.asp?targetid=702 sourceid=1238 --- Cathy Raber --- pigeonrock@earthlink.net --- EarthLink: It's your Internet.