–noun, plural -ties.
1. generous actions or donations to aid the poor, ill, or helpless: to devote one's life to charity.
2. something given to a person or persons in need; alms: She asked for work, not charity.
3. a charitable act or work.
4. a charitable fund, foundation, or institution: He left his estate to a charity.
5. benevolent feeling, esp. toward those in need or in disfavor: She looked so poor that we fed her out of charity.
6. leniency in judging others; forbearance: She was inclined to view our selfish behavior with charity.
7. Christian love; agape.
char·i·ty
n. pl. char·i·ties
1Provision of help or relief to the poor; almsgiving.
2Something given to help the needy; alms.
3An institution, organization, or fund established to help the needy.
4Benevolence or generosity toward others or toward humanity.
5Indulgence or forbearance in judging others. See Synonyms at mercy.
6often Charity Christianity The theological virtue defined as love directed first toward God but also toward oneself and one's neighbors as objects of God's love.
Charity
(1 Cor. 13), the rendering in the Authorized Version of the word which properly denotes love, and is frequently so rendered (always so in the Revised Version). It is spoken of as the greatest of the three Christian graces (1 Cor. 12:31-13:13).
Easton's 1897 Bible Dictionary
There have always been Con men and women who have started, what they term, Charities. Ripping off donors and targeted recipients/causes to only enrich themselves!
But by the end of the 20th century, and now into the 21st, many have turned them into Big Business Operations, disregarding the meaning of Charity, spinning off other business opportunities connected with the running of the charity and the promotion.
For those who run these operations it means a low labor operation for them with huge sums of money pouring in, and in most cases Free Labor by Well Meaning People who Volunteer and do the Real Work.
There are also many who give up possible more lucrative positions in the private sector to work for these charities at much reduced wages and benefits because they to are Well Meaning People who get great satisfaction in helping others or taking on needed causes for a Better World and Communities.
Charities should Not be allowed to become Personal Banks for the founders and top executives which run them. And any starting a charity should heed the meaning of and run same, on the daily basis, following the meaning and intent.
Many have become what they are, personal piggybanks, through their influence on Corrupt Politics, of getting the laws changed to benefit themselves, not the recipients of the purposes of some of these charities, charities in name only! They are also not only depending on the Charity of many to donate they are also feeding at the trough of the public monies and getting huge tax breaks, furthering the growth of their bottom line, Personal Wealth!
Charities started to help the Nations Veterans have always been around, many running on the legit, while many fall under the ease of the Profits Wars Generate, especially Wars Of Choice, they join their breathern the War Profitteers, with No Shame!
The American Institute of Philanthropy came out with a Report, at the end of last year, leading to an investigation by ABC News, than others, which in turn led to a Hearing to Assess Veterans' Charities in the House of Representatives.
On Thursday, the Committee held a hearing to examine whether all the charitable groups raising money for the purpose of helping our nation’s veterans are genuinely serving that need. Concerns have been raised that some charities are conducting high volume mail and telemarketing campaigns that enrich the organizations and fundraisers but fail to provide meaningful assistance to veterans. The hearing will include a discussion of what Americans can do to ensure that their contributions to veterans’ causes are being responsibly used.
ABC News had written and video reports, in December of '07, on their findings. I combined that video with a followup video report givin only a few days ago, Jan 17th '08,
Veterans Charity Outrage!
on the same day another House Committee held hearings for further Investigation into Veterans' Charities Continues
The Committee held a hearing entitled “Assessing Veteran’s Charities – Part Two.” This hearing focused on charities operated by Roger Chapin, who failed to comply with a subpoena compelling his testimony at the December 13 hearing. Over the past 40 years, Mr. Chapin has established and operated more than 20 charitable organizations, including a number of veterans’ and military-oriented charities. Questions have been raised about the practices of his current charitable organizations.
Below are links to the ABC reports, followups and related reports
Director of Veterans Charity in Hiding
Failing to Serve America's Heroes on the Home Front
Scam Alert: Charity Outrage
Charity groups claim to support troops but don't fully deliver on promises.
Gen. Tommy Franks Paid $100,000 To Endorse 'F' Veterans Charity
Retired U.S. Army Gen. Tommy Franks, who led the invasions of Afghanistan and Iraq, was paid $100,000 to endorse a veterans charity that watchdog groups say is ripping off donors and wounded veterans by using only a small portion of the money raised for veterans services, according to testimony in Congress today.
Now in all fairness to Gen. Franks:
Chapin testified he approached Gen. Franks in 2005, and he agreed to let his signature be used on mass mailings seeking contributions to his charities.
"He helped us raise millions and millions of dollars more than we would have," Chapin told the hearing, chaired by Congressman Henry Waxman, D- Calif.
Congressman Waxman said Gen. Franks had since disassociated himself from Chapin's charities and asked that his name be removed from the solicitation.
"General Franks was paid $100,000 to lend his name. We understand he developed misgivings and asked that his name be taken off," Congressman Waxman said.
But one wonders, where did the 100grand go, back to this charity?, to another Charity, that is legit, or was it ever even given up!
Chapin also revealed that his charity paid $5,000 a month for the endorsement of retired Air Force Brig. Gen. Arthur "Chip" Diehl.
Contacted by ABCNews.com, Gen. Diehl said he had "no comment."
Luxury for Charity Officials, Budget Cuts for Wounded Vets
Black-Tie Dinners and Luxury Suites at Football Games for Company Officials Top Charity Foundation's Agenda
Investigating Veterans' Charities
CBS News also covered this story, back in '07 and again this month. They to had video and written reports. I combined their first video with this months:
Assessing Veterans Charities
Veterans' Charity Boss Rebuffs Critics
Entrepreneur Accused Of Mismanaging Charities He Started For Vets And Enriching Himself
The head of a California-based veterans charity rebuffed accusations of mismanagement and self-dealing at a raucous congressional hearing Thursday, shouting over lawmakers to declare himself "the most honest person in this room."
You can also find the Video's at the above links of these reports at both News Networks.
Once again the link to The American Institute of Philanthropy
Where they also have the following story about one charity?, of scamming:
Soldiers Angels Lose Their Halos
You can read the following Statement of Daniel Borochoff, President, American Institute of Philanthropy PDF
December 13, 2007
Our Nation’s Veterans Deserve Better from America’s Charities
either here or there as well.
And VA Watch Dog carries the following, with back links to other reports there.
VETERANS' CHARITY INVESTIGATION PROMPTS STATE AND
FEDERAL ACTION
The undercover investigation exposed the truth about where your money to charity is really going.
It's Disgusting enough when Charities are formed for the benefit of the few, their founders and friends, but as we order our Military Personal into Wars of Choice and they continue to be Killed and Maimed at the same time more and more supposed charities are formed, giving little to the intended, it's Way Beyond Disgusting!
How many are Veterans that run these Charities, Especially War Theater Veterans?
Greed, Arrogance and War Profitteering are Not Charities!!
Guards sit in a tower overlooking Guantanamo Bay U.S. Naval Base, Cuba. This image has been reviewed and approved by U.S. Department of Defense.
It could have been machanical but Owner~Operator~Driver ( and Veteran ) Jim Goodnow who pulled into a South Jersey Truck Stop, to catch a 3 or 4 hour nap. In retrospect, remembers some suspicious activity outside the bus, and about 20 minutes later, the entire engine compartment, and back of the bus was engulfed in flames.
Again, this could have been a result of something mechanical causing the fire in the engine compartment. But as many of us Pro-Peace Activist know there are a few groups out there, no names or links need be placed, who are reportly being funded and have ramped up their so called 'Super Patriotic' rethoric, starting negative rumours about upcoming Peaceful Demonstrations, that are and have been welllllllll Peaceful, no matter the number of participants, from a handful to Tens Of Thousands! They also have become more violent in their speach and even actions towards the Peaceful Demonstrators, and they certainly haven't been peaceful themselves.