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My neighbors house recenly was destroyed in a fire. An insense fell behind one of the beds and started the fire. There were 6 people, 2 dogs, and one cat in the house at the time. The fire started just after midnight. After 20 minutes of waiting, the fire department showed up and about 40 minutes later the fire was out. The top floor was completey destroyed, nothing remained. The bottom floor was not really burned, but the water damage from the hoses destroyed everything downstairs.
The fire department took everything from the downstairs (couch, chairs, etc) and put them on the front lawn of the house to prevent further damage and then left. (It rained all night)
Now I know the title says "The Red Cross Blows" and I'm getting to that. I just wanted to give some background on this families over all experience.
This family has had many hardships over the last decade or so and they had just started to pull their lives together. They found this house and were buying it, and feeling pround to soon be home owners.
After the fire, I told them they could stay in my house until they figured out what to do.
One of the members of the household, has several health issues and is in a wheel chair. She is not part of the family, but they have been friends for over 20 years and have always lived either together or very close. Anyway, the actual family consists of mother, father, and three sons. Their daughter is not at home anymore. Anyway, the fire department told them to call the Red Cross and that they would help them find a home, get food and clothing vouchers, and help them with the next steps toward getting back on their feet/s
The Red Cross came to my house the next morning. They told them to call someone else and handed out a bag with soap, tooth brush, and a wash cloth. The famliy does not have transportation and getting into the nearest town is not an easy task. The Red Cross said they could not help them get to their appointments with the other social organization they were sent to. They took a lot of information and then said good bye. In other words, they did nothing to help this family. The Red Cross gave them phone numbers the family already had.
Where do all of the donations go to? If I had not been there to provide shelter, they would have remained outside with all of their possesions in the rain. Two of the boys ran out of the house without shoes and in PJ's.
I really don't get it. Can someone please tell me what the Red Cross really does. I had already given the family soap, tooth brushes, and wash clothes. So basically, the Red Cross did nothing. Why?
This rant may be out of place but I was looking at the ribbons here at NP and saw one for the Red Cross and got pissed all over again.
To top it all off, the media said it was started by a cigarette, even though that was incorrect, and that there were only four people in the house and it suffered only minor damage. Complete garbage...
The Red Cross is set up for more along the lines of "International" and "Major" Disasters. - I know this may sound bad - But they do their jobs on a bit larger scale than individual families. I've been through several major Hurricanes - and the Red Cross was always some of the first folks on the scene - Providing food and Temporary shelter if available (Mostly Tents etc ... )
I really am sorry to hear this story - But local organisations such as "Social Services" , Salvation Army , and Church Groups etc ... would be their best bet ATM.
God Bless them all ....
__________________ Nothing to see here ... Move Along. Nights in White Satin I dare you to find a better version - And this one is almost 40 years after the fact.
The red cross is good for many things and do help alot of people. It is not nice to hear that the basicly gave them a bar of soap and said have a nice day. They could try places like goodwill or the salvation army . They might not be able to help in housing but im sure can help with furnishings and clothing. Or you could step up and if you are in a small town maybe set up a fundraiser of some kind
This type of thing is exactly what the Red Cross is for. It is disaster relief. Period. Nowhere does it say "We only help if it's a hurricane" or anything along those lines. Everyone at the scene said the Red Cross was the organization to call.
As for a fund raiser, I live in NY. People don't care..
This post is not a cry for help. I am helping them and providing shelter and food until they can get a place. They have already called the proper agencies. Social Services will help the family with housing, but not the disabled person. This is because the entire household used her bank account. They had deposited their tax return and since the account had money in it they would not help her. The account did not belong to the family, but the family friend. The friend is the disabled on..
It's a big long twisted story, but the point is, the Red Cross did nothing to help and gave no explanation as to why..
Also, I think I would call this a "Major" disaster..What would you call it if it were your house that burned down, and you lost everything. Left with nothing but your PJ's 4 pairs of shoes for 6 people..
As for International, I do find it odd that people in this country care more about "International" needs before they focus on "Our" needs.
I am not saying that we should not help. I'm saying we should help anyone that needs help. Our civilization will not survive if we don't help eachother.
My sisters apartment burned down (arson) on December 20th of 1995. With her 3 kids, she was put up in a hotel room, given all new presents, given cash to hel with expenses, givens gifts and clothing and other basic necessities and the hotel room was paid in advance for a month, with the option to have them pay for a second month..
all this for free within 36 hours of the fire.. and all done by the American Red Cross.
really not sure whats going on with your neighbors... seems like were missing information they haven't told you?
oh ya..and they also paid for her first/last and deposit for her new apartment when she found one (roughly 3 or 4 weeks after the fire) and signed a notice to that new mgr stating what had happened.
This attitude may be the problem - I'm quite sure there are folks there who Do care ! ~ But you or your neighbors may have to seek them out.
Maybe the Red Cross didn't offer housing because you already had .... Dunno ??? -
Sad either Way
__________________ Nothing to see here ... Move Along. Nights in White Satin I dare you to find a better version - And this one is almost 40 years after the fact.
As mentioned previously, the Red Cross is mainly for international causes.
Did you/they check for any other local charities? They might be able to help.
Good luck to them!
True_Snake
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To say that everyone in NY does not care is very incorrect. But we live in a very small town and people prefer to mind their own business.
Social Services offered to put them in a Motel, but the living conditions were extremely poor. Very bad neighborhood, drugs, etc.
The Red Cross said they didn't provide housing and that it would be done by Social Services.
I have known these people for over 2 years. I visited them almost everyday for those 2 years. Nothing was left out.
"My sisters apartment burned down (arson) on December 20th of 1995"
Apartments are insured by the owner, this house was not.
You also have to take into consideration budgets in 1995 as well as the state of the world in 1995. Also it was Dec 20.
It was very nice of the Red Cross to do that in 1995. But they did not do that here. And the two situations are not comparable.
As for my neighbors helping out, not one person came to ask if everyone was ok. I took them in so they didn't have to seek anyone out. But no one, at all, came by to offer help. But that is not my point.
The Red Cross did nothing. They are NOT only an International service.
I find it interesting to know that people would prefer to believe that my neighbors did something wrong, before they would believe that the Red Cross did nothing.
I'd imagine things are pretty "tight" with Disaster Services right now considering the ongoing Tsunami and Earthquake aid going out at the moment , and I am only defending them because I have personally seen the Great things they have done in the past.
I must add this as I've forgot to in the last few post ~
Thank God for folks like Filtered for doing what you have
Keep their spirits up best you can ~ and try calling a few of the folks listed above ^ .... Hopefully things will work out
__________________ Nothing to see here ... Move Along. Nights in White Satin I dare you to find a better version - And this one is almost 40 years after the fact.
I am not trying to say that the Red Cross has never done anything for anyone. I know that they have helped a lot of people. But I also know that they have collected millions of dollars in donations that never went to the cause. 911 for one.
If you collect donations to help people you should help people. I would never donate to the Red Cross knowing that soap and a tooth brush is the extent of their aid.
Your first instinct was that there must be something missing. You assumed that the family was holding something back.
I'm not being defensive. I'm responding to your post. It seems to me that you would choose to believe that information was missing, and if that information were to be made known it would explain why the Red Cross did nothing.
But this is not the case. The only information I am missing is WHY the Red Cross did nothing. I have been with the family every step of the way. The Red Cross interviewed them and talked to them in my living room with me sitting right there.
Again, I did not post this as a cry for help. I posted this as exposure to injustice. I am expressing my feelings about inaction.
I'm not asking anyone for help. The family is fed and sheltered. Social Services gave them vouchers for clothing. In the end, they will be fine.
I hope this never happens to anyone else, but I think you would understand more clearly if you were in their shoes.
whiney???
Is that what people are called when they stand up for other people..Whiney??
Well, if that's the case, I have no problem being whiney. I am not one to stand by when I can actually help someone..
First off, Redcross being an international/major disaster only organization is untrue. The excerpt below is taken straight from their FAQ.
I'm not too familiar with the structure of the Redcross, but did they contact a local part of it or try to contact it at a national office or something? I truly doubt this episode speaks for the entire red cross, but as with any org. they have their problems. They do a lot of good work.
Also, their quota for the tsunami disaster relief was met several months ago. They shouldn't have a problem getting a few bucks together for a hotel room and a hot meal at least.
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So I guess you are part of the same generation. At least your posts about Terri Shiavo would have me believe this..
I can see that your compassion is overwhelming. Your answer is to shoot someone for their beliefs, yet you believe that your point of view is correct.
You have no room call me whiney..
ahh you declare yourself not apart of the entitle me generation yet you feel they are entitled to red cross aid. lol.. whatever.
my view of the schiavo fiasco was only made in one post.. see if you can find out what that is.
You know, for someone whining about the red cross.. you sure are ansy when someone questions something (or asks for clarification rather). hiding something?
So, you have to be a part of the entitlement generation if you expect to have resources such as the Red Cross??
Well, you think schiavo has a right to life..So, we must be part of the same generation.
My view of the Red Cross was made in only one thread. My thread.
Ansy about being questioned?..No, just irritated when people claim I'm not telling the truth or hiding something when they have no clue what they are talking about.. The only thing I have to hide would be ill words in a public place..
listen.. i didnt imply you werent telling the truth. I pondered if we had all the information either about your friend or about what was going on with the red cross. you really need to chill... people asking question online is not a violation nor is it an act of vengeance.
My experience with them has proven them only good. do they have faults? sure, as do most organisations.... it does not however entitle you to deny someone wondering whats up.
so just relax, take a pill and forget I ever pondered
Hey,
By implying that information was missing, which you did, you came off as saying I was not providing all the information, or that I must not have all the information, which, in my book, is an attack on my credibility.
After that, most of your posts were negative and offensive. Calling me names, and such.
Anyway. I normally would not care if you were offensive or childish, but I have been quite upset over my friends losing everything they own..
Well..I'm done with the back and forth. It is pointless.
No National TV coverage? That's the rub.. Red Cross loves to be in the thick of the Big Issues but is of little help on the "small" no-publicity ventures.
In an emergency such as yours, your best bet is to contact the Salavation Army first, or Catholic Charities second.
I've been on both sides of the fence numerous times in my life and owe the Salvation Army and enormous debt of gratitude. My experience is they will help out as best they can and with the least amount of grumbling
The Red Cross Blows 
Nothing to see here ... Move Along.
