[Blindvet-talk] Fwd: Vets Vexed By Report Of Stingy Army Charity

[NABlindVets at aol.com]

____________________________________
 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) 







 
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