Gee, the scammers are already swarming the area to take advantage of the weekend’s tornado furor. Roofers, construction gypsy types and fake fundraisers, who couldn’t pronounce “Mesquite” or “Waxahachie,” are skulking like buzzards in the devastated areas.
Evidently, someone claimed to be working with FEMA and Operation: Kindness. Whoa! The OK team was more than suffering vapours. The staff took to Facebook expressing their OMG shock:
We have received many questions and would like to clarify that Operation Kindness is not partnering with Operation Rescue Paws on the ground in Rowlett. Early this morning, we personally reached out to all local animal shelters that have been affected by the storms and offered assistance with housing, transporting, or fostering animals in need. We are following the appropriate protocol so that we will not interfere with rescue and clean up efforts in the community. Operation Kindness is on stand-by in case any local shelters do need our assistance. Thank you.
Ah. come on. You’re a smart cookie. You know the tried-and-true teams that manage to squeeze positive results out of every cent donated. They’ve been around in the good times and the now-times. And now is the time to let them know that you’re there for them.
Another source to check out the good guys from the bad ones is Charity Navigator. It’s an excellent source when it comes to trying to determine the legitimacy of a nonprofit.
But let’s not discount those individual offerings like the teacher, who lost practically everything. Her students’ parents are rallying with a Give Forward program. Still before contributing to such opportunities, check to make sure that you really, truly know those behind the effort.
Dr Honor Franklin says
Excellent article! Thank you for the heads up alert!