The North Central Florida Post Polio Support Group, information about PPS, vaccine, education.

Are Those Firefighter and Police Charitable Foundations REALLY Charitable?

--Steve McMahan, Polio Post News

Along about the middle of June (2011), I got one of those telemarketer-style phone calls from a representative of the "Firefighters Charitable Foundation." I let him babble on and, after the golden words of all the great things they do, I said I'd send him twenty buck. After I hung up the phone I thought, "What the hell am I doing. I know better than that!" I guess I said it just to get him off of my phone.

It took me all of ten minutes (thank you, Yahoo!) to zero in on this organization and find out how much they get and where it goes. I suggest two things to you: First, you might want to read what I've found and posted here. Second, when you receive (and you WILL eventually receive) a phone call from one of these companies representing firefighters, policemen, etc., decide how much you might like to donate. Then DON'T donate it to the guy on the phone. Tell him, "No thanks, I donate direct." You can expect him to try to convince you THEY do much more good than if you donate directly to your local firefighters, police, etc.

Remember that amount you thought about for a donation? Now remember that we, as a polio group, have seen countless times where our police and firefighters have not only done a sterling job, but have frequently gone above and beyond the call of duty. Sorry, but I take it personal when someone uses their good name for personal gain. So take time to get the address of your local fire/police headquarters and ask how to best get a donation to them. Don't be shy; it doesn't have to be much. They'll be able to use all of what is written on your check whereas they would only see pennies (if that) if you gave that check to one of those "charitable foundations." And that money will be spent within your own community.

By the way, I don't consider myself the least bit obligated to send the twenty dollars to the phone guy's "Foundation" like I said I would. My promise was based on his telling me the truth. That breaks the contract. But I WILL send him a copy of the check I made out to the firemen locally... along with a copy of what I found on the internet about them. I wonder if they will call me for more money anytime soon.

Not every non-profit organization that comes looking for a donation is a scam. But all of those seeking donations are REQUIRED BY LAW to present you with a profit and loss report for the previous year UPON REQUEST. No exceptions. Feel free to say "No, thank you" to any and all who cannot or will not comply. You can also do what I did. Simply sign on your computer to Google, Yahoo or any other search engine of your choosing and type in the name of the organization. Be sure to type it in accurately. Sometimes scam groups' names are very similar to that of a legitimate organization. You can take it from there and find out scads of info. You, too, can be an investigative reporter!

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Steve McMahan has over 30 years of radio broadcast experience, with much of it in investigative reporting, including politics and charities. Steve is now a volunteer for the North Central Florida Post-Polio Support Group, is web administrator of PostPolioSupport.com, and heavily involved in the team that puts together the Polio Post News. Your comments are invited at postpoliosupport@gmail.com.