[Blindvet-talk] Fwd: Vets Vexed By Report Of Stingy Army Charity
NABlindVets at aol.com
NABlindVets at aol.com
Tue Feb 24 15:57:27 UTC 2009
____________________________________
From: flmom2006 at gmail.com
To: Undisclosed-Recipient:;
Sent: 2/24/2009 7:25:06 A.M. Eastern Standard Time
Subj: Vets Vexed By Report Of Stingy Army Charity
You might want to pass this along. Thought this was very interesting.
Sherri
WFTV.com
Vets Vexed By Report Of Stingy Army Charity
Army Charity Reportedly Hoarded Millions Of Dollars
Tuesday, February 24, 2009 – updated: 1:27 am EST February 24, 2009
Veterans advocates are expressing anger toward the biggest charity within
the U.S. military.
The source of the anger: Revelations that Army Emergency Relief has been
packing more money into its reserves than it's spent on aid during the wars in
Iraq and Afghanistan.
The chairman of Veterans United for Truth said that's "despicable" with so
many in such dire need.
Bob Handy was reacting to an Associated Press investigation that examined
five years of tax returns by Army Emergency Relief. The AP interviewed dozens
of soldiers, veterans and officials from other military charities.
Records show that from 2003 to 2007, the charity put $117 million in reserve
while spending just $64 million on direct aid.
AER is defending its record. The charity's national treasurer said no
soldier or family member has ever been denied financial assistance for a valid need
due to a lack of funds.
During the same period, the smaller Navy and Air Force charities both put
far more of their own resources into aid than reserves. The Air Force charity
kept $24 million in reserves while dispensing $56 million in total aid, which
includes grants, scholarships and loans not repaid. The Navy charity put $32
million into reserves and gave out $49 million in total aid.
AER executives defend their operation, insisting they need to keep sizable
reserves to be ready for future catastrophes.
"Look at the stock market," said retired Col. Dennis Spiegel, AER's deputy
director for administration. Without the large reserve, he added, "We'd be in
very serious trouble."
According to 2007 U.S. Census Bureau figures, 1.3 million veterans -- or 6
percent -- lived in poverty, with 537,000 unemployed.
Previous Stories:
* February 23, 2009: _Army Charity Reportedly Hoards Millions_
(http://www.wftv.com/money/18774306/detail.html)
Distributed by Internet Broadcasting Systems, Inc. The Associated Press
contributed to this report. All rights reserved. This material may not be
published,
Sherri
_Flmom2006 at gmail.com_ (mailto:Flmom2006 at gmail.com)
Check out the link and send your used cell phones to help the blind
(http://www.wirelessfundraiser.com/WFR_Quickship.aspx?customerid=2010&LocationID=1223)
____________________________________
A Good Credit Score is 700 or Above. _See yours in just 2 easy steps!_
(http://pr.atwola.com/promoclk/100126575x1218822736x1201267884/aol?redir=http://www
.freecreditreport.com/pm/default.aspx?sc=668072&hmpgID=62&bcd=febemailfooterNO
62)
**************You're invited to Hollywood's biggest party: Get Oscars
updates, red carpet pics and more at Moviefone.
(http://movies.aol.com/oscars-academy-awards?ncid=emlcntusmovi00000001)
More information about the BlindVet-Talk
mailing list