As one of Jehovah's Witnesses would you attend a fundraising event for Haitians that was sponsored by UNICEF?

Early in my life I once thought that the Watchtower is not putting in good use from the donations that we put in. I decided to go and visit the Bethal headquarters and I was shocked, but in a good way. It turns out that the brothers there really do care about the donations and have put every effort to use every cent wisely. They even recycle book trimmings to make more paper! Everything is strictly functional, from the machines themselves, to the dorms! I was very impressed that our money that is being donated is taken good care of. The organization has even come up with ideas to save even more such as having their own power plant in Walkill. The local government reimburses their energy efficiency in one way or the other. Truly, one dollar could be stretched to the limit! It reminds me of the parable of the talents that Jesus stated when his a lord gives his servants a specified amount of money so they can invest in them. Thankfully, all but one, truly doubled their earnings and he was grateful since he said in Mathew 25:23:

"His lord said unto him, Well done, good and faithful servant: thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will set thee over many things; enter thou into the joy of thy lord."

I have already gone the second time to Bethal. My point is this: The organization has a special fund that is dedicated specifically for natural disasters as you might know. Rest assured, the donations that go into it will be greatly used to the last cent. In fact, the money that goes into here is not just for us, its for anyone close by that can benefit from the provisions. Right now in Haiti, they are using a kingdom hall as a clinic! You can check out this website of a missionary couple who are living in Haiti for updates and pictures. Here is the link: http://a.thomazeau.org/node/52

In my humble opinion, it would be best to donate to the Watchtower as they have an easier means of contacting those who need it the most. And as you might have known, our organization is so beautiful! The faithful and Discreet Slave will surely put to good use the resources that Jesus Christ has trusted to them. What other organization are handling the belongs, per se, of Jesus Christ in a way that he will trust us to put to good use? right?

At all Kingdom Halls we have contribution boxes, they are usually in the back, we donate on a worldwide basis just as we are wold wide in our service, this is one of the reason why the Jehovah's Witnesses are normally the first there we don't have to wait to receive donations. This is all done with all that attend meetings, every month the finance's are discussed and with a show of hands all matters are handled.

One other thing that I would like to add is that all those that run and organize the relief help are not paid a wage as most others do, for that is their job. By the Jehovah's Witnesses doing this almost 100% to help the needy, I know it's over 90% which is better than the 1-5 cents for every dollar donated.

This why I do not donate to any other organization, for I have read and heard how much goes to others rather then those that are in need.

We donate to the World Wide Work each and every month, even when there is no disaster

Vot read a report on Yahoo two days ago about how for every $1 donated by the USA to the Haitian, only 1 CENT reaches there.

They then broke it down, with about 40% going to covering the costs for security by the US military.

I wouldn't attend the fundraiser, but if asked by someone what I thought was the best way or channel to donate, I'd suggest they do it thru the Watchtower Society. Because there 100% of the donations go where they should go, and there's no frills or staff to pay.

I feel that everyone has the "right" to use their money as they see fit.

But for myself, I choose to use my money in a manner that I am comfortable that it will go where it is intended and used as it should be used.

Most fund-raising events take money to be put together, expenses to cover. And that has to come out of the monies received.

But money contributed to the Christian Congregation has an extreme minimal expense involved in being collected and distributed. So the vast majority is available to do the most good.

Since for me, I have a proven method of donating to the Hatian cause, I choose to have all my designated funds handled that way. And therefore I would not seek other means to donate.

Greetings,

While each person can make up their own mind, I would not give my money to such charities. Primarily because of how most "non-profits" and especially fundraising events handle the money. Studies show that *at best* only about 15 to 20 percent of donated money ends up going to the needy. Most such fundraising groups end up giving only about 5 percent. Most of the money goes to "administrative costs" which is actually the mega-salaries of administrators.

I give my hard-earned money to the only organization which will use 90 percent of my money for the purpose I gave it. That is the Watchtower Society. This is the only organization who's corporate president gets paid the same as the guy cleaning the toilets.

BAR-ANERGES

Heck no.

I will do what I have been doing. I will continue to give money at the Kingdom Hall, in the contribution box designated for the worldwide work.

The governing body is using much of those funds to go towards Haiti. Also, there are Kingdom Halls in Haiti that are being used as relief shelters for Witnesses and non-Witnesses.

When I put my money in the contribution box at the Kingdom Hall at least I KNOW that my funds are going where they need to be going and get where they need to be without the "red tape" of the imperfect human governmental agencies of this world are notorious for.

I was sent pictures by email of a few kingdom Halls that are being used as relief sources. Many people of the world make the false claim that Jehovah's Witnesses do NOTHING to help those who are not of their religious organization and nothing could be further from the truth.

Jehovah's Witnesses simply don't go blowing a trumpet ahead of them when giving to the public... God Almighty and Jesus know and see what they are doing and that's all that counts, not the recognition of those of the world or some "pr" nonsense.

Ciao

I will be going!! I'm excited about it..its tonight at 8:15pm Pacific time...but I wont be able to attend that one ;-( I will be attending the one at 6:45 in a few hours...still, I'll be with my brothers and sisters, so the time doesnt really matter :)

No . . . Not for Haiti or any other needy areas.

Why?

Because (besides the probability that some of the donated assets will not go to the needy),

reportedly, "for years UNICEF spokesmen denied promoting contraception or abortion. . . Records reveal that over a 30-year period UNICEF has tied itself to the population controllers and to the anti-life, anti-family attitudes of such organizations as the International Planned Parenthood Federation."

I strongly believe that life begins at contraception,

and I do not condone murder, no matter at what age it occurs.

"Is Contraception Morally Wrong?"

http://watchtower.org/e/200709a/article_01.htm

That in no way leaves me with no one to donate through . . .

"Witnesses’ relief efforts well under way for victims of earthquake in Haiti"

http://jw-media.org/hti/20100118.htm

"Jehovah's Witnesses Contributions to the Community"

- Disaster Relief

http://jw-media.org/aboutjw/article44.htm#relief

"Haiti Quake - Day 14", Wed 1-27-2010:

"It has now been two weeks since the disaster. . .

Haiti is no longer a hot item in newspapers and televised news. Reporters are pulling out and moving on to other stories elsewhere. The constant roar of C-130 and C-5 military cargo planes flying over our heads . . . is no longer there.

"However, as for the relief effort being accomplished by Jehovah and his organization, it is moving forward . . .

Today, two more trucks of relief supplies arrived via the Dominican Republic . . .

http://a.thomazeau.org/node/53

I personally would not donate to any of the organizations like red cross/unicef/bushclinton fund etc. I don't know how much is skimmed off for operating costs and the red cross quite often has people in it for what they can put in their pockets. We give regularly to the World Wide fund because we know it is going to people less fortunate or to disaster relief, not being skimmed by greedy ones.

I personally would not. My personal choice. Each individual sponsors and/or supports their selected charities. I just happen to support other channels of relief efforts. I choose such channels based on my assurance that the money, supplies, etc., are going where I want them to go. Directly to the affected people. Also, my heart's concern is for the people AND the continuance of their ability to engage in true worship. So I support the organizations that I feel will effect those goals.

Also, when non-Jehovah's Witnesses sponsor events, they sometimes contain entertainment and segments that violate my Christian beliefs, so I choose not to partake. (i.e. false religious music, prayer and other forms of worship, even in what is presented as secular)