Luxury for Charity Officials, Budget Cuts for Wounded Vets

Source: ABC News Blotter

Officials of a charity that has raised tens of millions of dollars to help wounded veterans have treated themselves to black-tie dinners, lavish travel and luxury suites at football games while cutting budgets for programs to help the vets, two top officials tell ABC News.

"I am outraged that money that was given in a sacred trust may have been spent in ways other than wisely for the service of veterans," said Henry Cook, national commander of the Military Order of the Purple Heart.

Cook and his top deputy, Joe Palyagi, say they decided to speak out after ABC News revealed their charity had been given an "F" by a charity watchdog group because only 32 percent of the money raised went to charity programs.

"Something has run amok in the process," said Palyagi.

Money for the Military Order of the Purple Heart is actually raised and controlled by a sister organization, the Military Order of the Purple Heart Service Foundation, Inc.

Read more: http://abcnews.go.com/Blotter/story?id=4145714&page=1

Is that 32 percent wouldn't exist if it weren't for the other 68 percent. And if it weren't for that 68 percent spent to contact donors, you and I wouldn't have the opportunity to find out about the problems vets face and help them in the first place.

And that's why Congress wants to hound them. It's a scam by Congress to get these charities to stop telling people about how little the government does for vets.

So how do you justify them spending $40,000 for a retirement party, while cutting funding by $250,000?

There are charities that don't spend 68% to contact donors, and it seems that this one is using the veterans so that they can have a suite at a Redskins football game, only no veterans allowed, it's kind of like those no dogs allowed signs you see.

This group is in it for themselves, not the vets!!!

a little research would help to find a similar charitable group whose expenses are lower, when i contribute i DO look for groups whose exspenses are low. i want as mutch as possible of my dollar going to those in need. I would NOT contribute to ANY group whose expenses were 68 percent!!!

It's not necessary to spend money on a luxury box at an NFL game to solicit donations or spread information.

But maybe I'm wrong-- maybe you could tell me the precise and relevant reason why a luxury box at a pro game is necessary to educate people on the conditions our veterans are put into...

Parties for charity employees should be illegal.

If they want to throw a party for someone then it should be contributions if any specifically given for that event. Otherwise, charge a fee.

There is no reason for charity executives to have luxury suites at football games or unnecessary travel. Attendance at black-tie affairs should be limited if not eliminated.

When parties are thrown for the purpose of raising funds, honoring donors, or honoring employees, the funds, services, and event planning come from the the donor and/or the service providers ie. liqueur, food, staffing, equipment rental, and venue use. The only time, as far as I know, that the charity ever puts up money for such events, is when it is to attract more donations, and it is usually just enough to bridge the financial gap not paid out of the pocket of donors. This is usually marketing costs, and offset by volunteers.

This is BULLS#!T. There is no reason to shell out any more that 30% of the total estimated cost of any fund-raising event considering how much of a natural donor base is available for Veterans services.