Apple Accepting Donations for Louisiana Flood Relief

[MacRumors]

Apple has added banners to its U.S. website, iTunes Store, and App Store encouraging customers to donate to the American Red Cross to help support people who have been affected by the widespread flooding in southern Louisiana.

Donation tiers available include $5, $10, $25, $50, $100 and $200, with all proceeds from donations sent to the American Red Cross. All transactions are processed as iTunes or App Store purchases.

Flooding in Louisiana, which started last week after torrential rainfall, have damaged more than 40,000 houses and left many thousands of people without homes. More than 20 parishes have been affected, and in many of the areas, flood insurance was not common because they weren't known flood zones. The Red Cross has called the Louisiana flooding the worst natural disaster in the United States since Hurricane Sandy.

Apple often puts out a call for donations for disaster relief. In the past, Apple has collected Red Cross iTunes donations for the 2016 fires in Alberta, the 2015 Nepal earthquake, the refugee and migration crisis in the Mediterranean sea, the 2013 Philippines typhoon, and more.

Article Link: Apple Accepting Donations for Louisiana Flood Relief

 

[sp3k0psv3t]

Im glad that Apple is extending an opportunity to help those in need.

I just wish that equal parts employees were spending an effort on their actual product lines rather than focusing 75% of their efforts on social welfare and politics.

Hope all those in need get the relief they seek and get through the hard times ahead!



USVet

 

[Jeremy1026]

Just keep in mind before donating, the American Red Cross has a terrible track record of actually providing help. Good article about what they have accomplished in Haiti, worth the read. Search out a smaller charity that has some initiative beyond their executives salaries.

 

[Otaviano]

Im glad that Apple is extending an opportunity to help those in need.

I just wish that equal parts employees were spending an effort on their actual product lines rather than focusing 75% of their efforts on social welfare and politics.

Hope all those in need get the relief they seek and get through the hard times ahead!



USVet

You really think that took more than ten minutes to put up? With those 2004 icons.

 

[usarioclave]

Sigh, another ad for the Red Cross, one of the most useless relief organizations. Is this something Apple does reflexively? Can't they choose some other aid organization?

 

[5105973]

Well done and that makes things easy and straightforward and keep your contact info from landing on any mailing lists. I wish they could add links to other reputable charities helping down there. But this is good of them.

It's been a bad year for floods. West Virginia was hard hit. And my area isn't even in a flood zone but my house sustained water damage from torrential rains and a friend's house sustained about $20K in damage the insurance company refused to cover. There was a very tragic death of a young single mom from one bad storm in my state.

 

[5105973]

Sigh, another ad for the Red Cross, one of the most useless relief organizations. Is this something Apple does reflexively? Can't they choose some other aid organization?

How are they useless? I had a friend whose house burned down and she and her family barely made it out alive. The Red Cross was there for them and got them taken care of the first few days before their insurance and all of us friends could get on the ball and get clothes and stuff to them.

 

[Cineplex]

You really think that took more than ten minutes to put up? With those 2004 icons.

They really just don't care. Remember in the old days when the page hero image was replaced with the donation request? This is just a button hidden below the scroll line. The marketing department is just trying to score some points. I bet if this was an India tragedy of some sort it would be the whole page....just saying.

Apple if you care at all...how about some matching donations to help customers in need.

 

[mtneer]

Shouldn't it say the Red Cross is accepting donations? It's not like Apple itself is on the ground. But this is a good gesture indeed.

 

[macfacts]

Why does Apple always want to be the middleman in things? Why can't people just donate directly to red Cross? Does Apple take 30%?

 

[Weaselboy]

Why does Apple always want to be the middleman in things? Why can't people just donate directly to red Cross? Does Apple take 30%?

http://www.apple.com

If you go Apple's web site, you will see this (screenshot) at the bottom where you can click to donate. It seems pretty obvious Apple is trying to get the word out on this to help raise money.

Do you seriously think Apple is taking a 30% fee for this or are you just trolling?

 

[Whimseh]

They aren't matching it or at least a portion? They could help also.

 

[Junipr]

Let's donate Apple's Mac engineers so we can get LA back to how it was 3 years ago

 

[pat500000]

It WOULD be nice if Apple donate Red Cross and feed the poor people.

EDIT: "feed"

 

[C DM]

It WOULD be nice if Apple donate Red Cross and help the poor people.

And they still very well might, unrelated to this part of it all, as they often do.

 

[Chatter]

http://www.apple.com

If you go Apple's web site, you will see this (screenshot) at the bottom where you can click to donate. It seems pretty obvious Apple is trying to get the word out on this to help raise money.

Do you seriously think Apple is taking a 30% fee for this or are you just trolling?


View attachment 645661

I dont think its trolling. I think its LessThanCommonSenseAndIDontWantToResearchSoItsEasierToSayStupidStuff

 

[C DM]

Why does Apple always want to be the middleman in things? Why can't people just donate directly to red Cross? Does Apple take 30%?

Or they just want to make it simpler for people to do it and get the weird out to more people? But that would probably be too straightforward and realistic of a take on it that isn't as exciting and exhilarating as some sort of a more "malicious" type take on it.

 

[Gembira]

Apple has hundreds of billions that is stored in places like Ireland because they do not want to pay the US taxes. This would be an ideal time for Apple to use that money to help people in its home country without any tax consequences. It is win-win for Apple and good PR.

 

[tonyr6]

Just keep in mind before donating, the American Red Cross has a terrible track record of actually providing help. Good article about what they have accomplished in Haiti, worth the read. Search out a smaller charity that has some initiative beyond their executives salaries.

I agree after what happened to my Grandfather when he was younger and after WWII they would not help him when he wanted to come to the US my Grandmother never donated to them again.

Sigh, another ad for the Red Cross, one of the most useless relief organizations. Is this something Apple does reflexively? Can't they choose some other aid organization?

Donate to the Salvation Army which is actually a non profit Christian church.

 

[CFreymarc]

Just keep in mind before donating, the American Red Cross has a terrible track record of actually providing help. Good article about what they have accomplished in Haiti, worth the read. Search out a smaller charity that has some initiative beyond their executives salaries.

This is why I donate to the Salvation Army instead of the United Way.

The Salvation Army has a very successful record and those working there view it as a profession / calling. I see too much "profit hidden in a non-profit" that many secular charities have become recently.

Also, I'd love to see Apple's tax filings concern their charity drives and what deductions they claim.

 

[chrismail627]

Thoughts and prayers go out to those affected in Louisiana. Such a shame.

 

[Attirex]

MR forum members turn disaster relief into a reason to complain in 3..2..oh, wait, already happened.

 

[coolfactor]

Sigh, another ad for the Red Cross, one of the most useless relief organizations. Is this something Apple does reflexively? Can't they choose some other aid organization?

I agree that the Red Cross needs to be even more accountable to the "administrative costs" of running their organization. I think that the actual amount of donations that make it to the actual relief effort is less than it should be. I expect 90%, but it's more like 50-60%

 

[citysnaps]

Why does Apple always want to be the middleman in things? Why can't people just donate directly to red Cross? Does Apple take 30%?

Are you serious? With Apple's presence and immense customer base they have the power to motivate people to donate that otherwise might not. Amazing you think that Apple is taking 30% off the top.

No worries, you don't have to donate or lift a finger to help, but carry on and feel free to slag on Apple for stepping up.
[doublepost=1471636848][/doublepost]

It WOULD be nice if Apple donate Red Cross and help the poor people.

It WOULD be nice for you to do a bit of research before quickly assuming they don't.

 

[ryanwarsaw]

Im glad that Apple is extending an opportunity to help those in need.

I just wish that equal parts employees were spending an effort on their actual product lines rather than focusing 75% of their efforts on social welfare and politics.

Hope all those in need get the relief they seek and get through the hard times ahead!



USVet

I am in complete agreement. I need a marginally updated phone or computer more than those people need a house. Timmy, where are you?!?!?!?!