Trillion dollar company donates a whopping $1 million dollars.
That is 0.0001%
That’s equivalent of a guy making $50K a year throwing in a nickel.
Having a value of $1Trillion is not the same thing as making $1Trillion per year.
Trillion dollar company donates a whopping $1 million dollars.
That is 0.0001%
That’s equivalent of a guy making $50K a year throwing in a nickel.
Am I a jerk for wondering why people would live in a home smack in the middle of millions of trees in one of the hottest, driest areas in the country?
Oh great, can’t wait for people to point out the percentage of every charitable donation Apple makes now that they’re worth a trillion dollars.Trillion dollar company donates a whopping $1 million dollars.
That is 0.0001%
That’s equivalent of a guy making $50K a year throwing in a nickel.
Not your shirt of course, more of the pic and the fact that you think California is the greatest place to live.![]()
It hasn't been this bad for a long time... I have lived in California since 1989. There has been a pretty severe drought here in the last decade that has hit the place REALLY hard.
Even the place I'm renting right now in the high desert, if you go to Google Maps, you see trees, grass, bushes... in the street view. Now? I have dirt in my front yard, dirt in my backyard - everything has died in the last 10 years.
CA has worked hard to require places to create a safe zone around their houses but there always seems to be idiots who love starting fires (getting worse) every year. Thanks to the drought, it's ... really bad here.
We're all fined if we use a lot of water too. So I have a bucket in the shower to flush the toilet to help with the water shortage that we've been having here for the last year+.
Just an FYI for those who aren't a native Californian.![]()
Am I a jerk for wondering why people would live in a home smack in the middle of millions of trees in one of the hottest, driest areas in the country?
Oh, I don't think it's the greatest place to live. In America, it is, though.
Maybe you did not notice, but Red Cross usually has a large presence at fires like this.In ALL the CA fires I've lived through, I have never once ever seen a Red Cross anything, anywhere. What is the point of this???
The Red Cross keeps 70% of donations for "administration costs". There's never been a disaster where the involvement of the Red Cross actually made a significant difference.
Net worth and annual revenue are two different things. Apple is worth $1T but last year their revenue was $230B. So it's more like a guy making $50k throwing in a quarter.
Now, you might say that your point is still valid, but also keep in mind that it's not Tim Cook's money. The shareholders own Apple and the executives can't just give away all the money without repercussions. Also keep in mind all the other companies out there giving $0.
I mean, not to just dump on ARC, but "opening" 2 shelters at community owned locations and then saying that they "need donations" in order to help the victims doesn't really sound like they actually did anything...Maybe you did not notice, but Red Cross usually has a large presence at fires like this.
Here is some local reporting about their involvement in the Redding area.
https://www.abc10.com/article/news/...nd-refuge-at-red-cross-shelters/103-578378677
https://www.redbluffdailynews.com/2018/07/27/checking-on-a-loved-one-in-redding/
https://www.redding.com/story/news/...hasta-college-can-take-plenty-more/854211002/
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These two sites are reporting the Red Cross is spending about 11% on costs/overhead.
https://www.charitynavigator.org/index.cfm?bay=search.summary&orgid=3277
https://www.charitywatch.org/ratings-and-metrics/american-red-cross/360
I know it is popular to dump on the Red Cross, but I have personal experience with them at local disasters and they really do provide a valuable service.
If you ever get the chance, you should try and stop by one of these centers they operate. It really is a huge undertaking and they are good at it. You have hundreds and hundreds of people who often literally left their home with just the clothing they are wearing and the Red Cross provides bedding, clothing, and food for all these people.I mean, not to just dump on ARC, but "opening" 2 shelters at community owned locations and then saying that they "need donations" in order to help the victims doesn't really sound like they actually did anything...
Like I said man, I've lived in SoCal my whole life. The fire has been literally across the street from me. I've never seen anything ARC before. What does $1MM in water bottles and blankets look like? I'm willing to bet they don't spend more than 10% of what they raise on things like thisIf you ever get the chance, you should try and stop by one of these centers they operate. It really is a huge undertaking and they are good at it. You have hundreds and hundreds of people who often literally left their home with just the clothing they are wearing and the Red Cross provides bedding, clothing, and food for all these people.
They also operate a service (I cannot remember what it is called) where they connect up displaced people with family who is trying to find them.
If you prefer to donate to some other organization, that is great also, but you really need to be on the ground at a disaster like this to to see what Red Cross really does.
Net worth and annual revenue are two different things. Apple is worth $1T but last year their revenue was $230B. So it's more like a guy making $50k throwing in a quarter.
Now, you might say that your point is still valid, but also keep in mind that it's not Tim Cook's money. The shareholders own Apple and the executives can't just give away all the money without repercussions. Also keep in mind all the other companies out there giving $0.
Can MacRumors stop blindly posting the iTunes Red Cross information each time there’s a disaster and include at least a brief note recognizing there are other alternatives for people who want to help?
Whenever Apple does the Red Cross PR thing, a large number of the comments (correctly) focus on the fact that the Red Cross gives comparatively little to actual disaster relief compared to other charities, including local ones who often know better where the money is needed.
No MacRumors isn’t required to help, and neither is Apple. But it would be nice to do the right thing so that the people whose lives are affected can get the help they need.
The Red Cross keeps 70% of donations for "administration costs". There's never been a disaster where the involvement of the Red Cross actually made a significant difference. The only thing the Red Cross has ever helped is themselves. As always it's left to Govt & Insurance to pay the real costs. If Apple really want to help people maybe stop weaselling out of taxes which is what funds true disaster relief. Instead of asking us to tip charities 'cause they ran out on the bill.
Source for this? I don't see anything stating the Red Cross keeps 70 percent of donations for administrative costs. I do, however, reports from NPR on Red Cross spending that suggests ~70 to ~75 percent of donations go towards services, with the rest being used for administration and fundraising, so there is some cause for concern if that's still the case. There were specific concerns raised about spending in Haiti and following Hurricane Harvey.
https://www.npr.org/2016/06/16/4820...fundamental-concerns-about-red-cross-finances
https://www.npr.org/sections/thetwo...rtion-of-donations-will-go-directly-to-harvey
https://www.npr.org/2015/06/03/411524156/in-search-of-the-red-cross-500-million-in-haiti-relief
https://www.npr.org/series/377506201/special-report-on-the-american-red-cross
The Red Cross's own website says that on average, 91 percent of every dollar is invested in humanitarian services and programs. In 2016, the Red Cross says $286M was spent on fundraising, management, and general expenses out of $2,721.5M, accounting for approximately 10 percent of spending.
http://www.redcross.org/news/press-release/How-the-American-Red-Cross-Spends-Your-Donations
The site says for major disasters, a minimum of 91 cents for every dollar raised is allocated to programs to help affected people.
Charity Navigator suggests that 89.3 percent of the Red Cross's 2017 expenses were spent on programs and services, with 4.2% going towards administrative costs and 6.4% going towards fundraising expenses.
https://www.wwltv.com/article/news/...oes-red-cross-give-to-those-in-need/470270671
https://www.charitynavigator.org/index.cfm?bay=search.summary&orgid=3277
The Red Cross has set up shelters in Shasta County at several locations, providing beds, food, drinks, and health services and it operates a long-term fire relief program in California.
https://www.redding.com/story/news/...hasta-college-can-take-plenty-more/854211002/
http://www.redcross.org/news/press-release/RED-CROSS-OPENS-SHELTERS-FOR-CARR-FIRE-EVACUEES
I'm not advocating for the Red Cross here, but it sounds like there is at least some misinformation that's being spread. I am more than happy to list alternate places where MacRumors readers can donate if someone wants to suggest some good alternatives that are known to provide more assistance to victims.
Please give me your suggestions and I'll add them to the post.
ahh yes - the red cross. everyone that i know that applied for assistance when Hurricane Harvey hit down here were denied. you hear the stories. local churches and business did a lot more in peoples eyes than the red cross.
https://www.npr.org/2015/06/03/411524156/in-search-of-the-red-cross-500-million-in-haiti-relief
https://www.propublica.org/article/texas-official-after-harvey-the-red-cross-was-not-there
Am I a jerk for wondering why people would live in a home smack in the middle of millions of trees in one of the hottest, driest areas in the country?
Source for this? I don't see anything stating the Red Cross keeps 70 percent of donations for administrative costs.
I do, however, reports from NPR on Red Cross spending that suggests ~70 to ~75 percent of donations go towards services, with the rest being used for administration and fundraising, so there is some cause for concern if that's still the case. There were specific concerns raised about spending in Haiti and following Hurricane Harvey.
https://www.npr.org/2016/06/16/4820...fundamental-concerns-about-red-cross-finances
https://www.npr.org/sections/thetwo...rtion-of-donations-will-go-directly-to-harvey
https://www.npr.org/2015/06/03/411524156/in-search-of-the-red-cross-500-million-in-haiti-relief
https://www.npr.org/series/377506201/special-report-on-the-american-red-cross
The Red Cross's own website says that on average, 91 percent of every dollar is invested in humanitarian services and programs. In 2016, the Red Cross says $286M was spent on fundraising, management, and general expenses out of $2,721.5M, accounting for approximately 10 percent of spending.
http://www.redcross.org/news/press-release/How-the-American-Red-Cross-Spends-Your-Donations
The site says for major disasters, a minimum of 91 cents for every dollar raised is allocated to programs to help affected people.
Charity Navigator suggests that 89.3 percent of the Red Cross's 2017 expenses were spent on programs and services, with 4.2% going towards administrative costs and 6.4% going towards fundraising expenses.
https://www.wwltv.com/article/news/...oes-red-cross-give-to-those-in-need/470270671
https://www.charitynavigator.org/index.cfm?bay=search.summary&orgid=3277
The Red Cross has set up shelters in Shasta County at several locations, providing beds, food, drinks, and health services and it operates a long-term fire relief program in California.
https://www.redding.com/story/news/...hasta-college-can-take-plenty-more/854211002/
http://www.redcross.org/news/press-release/RED-CROSS-OPENS-SHELTERS-FOR-CARR-FIRE-EVACUEES
I'm not advocating for the Red Cross here, but it sounds like there is at least some misinformation that's being spread. I am more than happy to list alternate places where MacRumors readers can donate if someone wants to suggest some good alternatives that are known to provide more assistance to victims.
Please give me your suggestions and I'll add them to the post.
Slate said:If we really care about the people of Houston and the rest of the Gulf Coast, we have to commit fully to a combined, sustained, serious response to recover and rebuild—meaning lots of money, lots of attention to helping those areas adapt for the future, and lots of concern for the people who we know are most vulnerable. We all need to come together to prevent future disasters, whether the growing risk of a major Oklahoma earthquake, a Caribbean tsunami, and especially the many threats we face from climate change. The sooner we acknowledge and act on that and stop debating the best place to send $20, the better off all of us will be.
The Red Cross keeps 70% of donations for "administration costs". There's never been a disaster where the involvement of the Red Cross actually made a significant difference. The only thing the Red Cross has ever helped is themselves. As always it's left to Govt & Insurance to pay the real costs. If Apple really want to help people maybe stop weaselling out of taxes which is what funds true disaster relief. Instead of asking us to tip charities 'cause they ran out on the bill.
Oh, I don't think it's the greatest place to live. In America, it is, though.