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Red Cross Willing To Return Donations

Agency Collected About $500 Million

Posted: 7:47 a.m. EST November 13, 2001

Updated: 8:17 a.m. EST November 13, 2001

WASHINGTON -- Do you want your donation back? You can have it.

The American Red Cross, under fire for its use of money raised since the terrorist attacks, said that it would return donations to any contributor who requests a refund.

The agency said that it collected about $500 million since Sept. 11. The Red Cross touched off a controversy last month by announcing that not all of the funds would go to victims of the attacks. About $200 million would be held in reserve in case of future attacks.

"I mean, you think it's going directly to the victims in New York City, and they're taking that money to upgrade computers, and that's wrong," donor Pat Harrell said.

A spokeswoman said that the group will look for specific requests on checks in determining how to channel funds.

The question of how the money should be used played a part in Red Cross director Bernadine Healy's recent decision to resign at year's end.

Some Capitol Hill lawmakers accused the group of taking advantage of the tragedy to bolster its budget.

-- Anonymous, November 13, 2001

Answers

Heard this announcement this morning, and I'm still stunned. I suppose it means the ARC will claim justification for spending any unreclaimed donations any way it chooses.

Do you suppose they'll notify the IRS, and is this an example of "regifting"?

-- Anonymous, November 13, 2001