 |
||||||||
 |
||||||||
|
||||||||
|
Money for charities, not salaries© St. Petersburg Times published July 5, 2002 Nothing obligates Tampa firefighters to raise money for charity. But if the firefighters' union solicits donations, it has an obligation to do it right. Eight cents of every dime the Tampa union raises in the name of charity actually goes for salaries and other overhead. Larding the effort with administrative costs does not help the needy in this community or honor a donor's good intentions. The union raises a half-million dollars a year to support the firefighters' community work and charities. Donors are told their money will support Camp Hopetake, a retreat for burned children, and other worthy causes. But a St. Petersburg Times story showed that only about $23,000 to $26,000 has gone to the camp in recent years. Smaller amounts have gone to other charities. But most of the money is poured back into the union's fundraising machine. Union president Al Suarez said he cannot reduce the overhead costs below 80 percent, an excessive amount that is more than double what's recommended by charity watchdog groups. The expense comes from having to pay phone solicitors; volunteers do not make the calls. The person who calls your house is not a uniformed firefighter but likely a college student gunning for a bonus. Imagine how much the union could raise if firefighters and their political supporters volunteered a few hours for the cause. Then instead of throwing money away on salaries, insurance and other office costs, contributions could go directly to people who need society's help. The mishandling of donations by charities across the nation after the attacks on Sept. 11 has caused many potential donors to question the integrity of philanthropic groups. The firefighters should be sensitive to the potential for a public backlash. The union's reserve fund more than doubled in recent years, as the firefighters' contribution to Camp Hopetake remained relatively stagnant. Most of those extra reserves came from solicitations. The public is left to see a union sitting atop a pile of money -- and worse, firefighters not spending their own money for causes they ask the public to support. This is not an image that sells to the public. Suarez, to his credit, seems to grasp the message. He should move ahead with the necessary reforms.
 © 2006 • All Rights Reserved • Tampa Bay Times
490 First Avenue South • St. Petersburg, FL 33701 • 727-893-8111 
|
From the Times Opinion page Editorial Editorial Editorial Letters |
