Wounded warrior project rejects gun owners

[Johnnyappleseed]

http://gunsnplanes.blogspot.com/2012/11/wounded-warrior-project-rejects-gun.html

[Nero]

Good grief.

If you're looking for a veterans related cause for holiday giving, I can recommend Fisher House, which builds and operates housing for military families who are visiting loved ones at the VA hospitals.  We've contributed to them for several years.  They get most of their donations on target, and aren't 'spammy' - no being showered with fundraising letters, just a report or two a year on their activities.

[Barbie]

One group that I donate through that benefits our troops directly is Green Bean Coffee's program: Cup of Joe for a Joe

Here is a link to them:

https://www.greenbeanscoffee.com/coj/

Not only does your Joe/Jane get a coffee drink, they have the option to personally email you back a note of thanks, in reply to the note you send along to them when you place your order. 

It may be a small gift, but often times its those small gifts that mean the most.

Fisher House is a great cause to donate to also, Nero!

[scuzzy]

I still remember when AS put on a fund raising event for them early this year. I was tasked with creating a banner and some graphics for the event. I contacted them to ask if I could use some of their graphics which were well done. I did that so I wouldn't have to reinvent the wheel. Numerous calls to their headquarters were not productive and I was finally told 'No, you can't use any of our images.'

I was stunned to say the least. What got my goat was the fact that all of the people I talked to were VERY unfriendly. Not nice at all. You would think an organization like that would do better than that. Makes you wonder about them. I wonder how much of their money actually goes to provide for Warriors? Or are they just another Red Cross or United Way where almost all money goes to 'Administrative Overhead?'

[Fred]

   Jeez, guys - any problem with donating - right here! - to Appleseed?

   There's a logic in not spreading your donations around. Concentrate them in one area for maximum success. So it might be appropriate to focus your donations, as well as your energy, into rescuing "the sinking ship".

    Plus, it simplifies your life considerably. I haven't donated to anything but AS since the project was created. Makes it easy to say "I already donate to a charity" to anyone soliciting for funds for the homeless, cancer, etc - and do it with a clear conscience.

[Johnnyappleseed]

   Jeez, guys - any problem with donating - right here! - to Appleseed?

   There's a logic in not spreading your donations around. Concentrate them in one area for maximum success. So it might be appropriate to focus your donations, as well as your energy, into rescuing "the sinking ship".

    Plus, it simplifies your life considerably. I haven't donated to anything but AS since the project was created. Makes it easy to say "I already donate to a charity" to anyone soliciting for funds for the homeless, cancer, etc - and do it with a clear conscience.

[oladcock]

Yep, we'd heard that and was a supporter, reevaluating. Lots of groups out there doing good work and yes, with the high $$$ advertizing WW does, I question how other $$$ are being spent. Here is one: http://www.patriotsandheroesoutdoors.com/  Read their mission statement....O.L.

[scuzzy]

   Jeez, guys - any problem with donating - right here! - to Appleseed?

 

Hmm. I've never had a membership. That will change after next month.

[George Hacker]

   Jeez, guys - any problem with donating - right here! - to Appleseed?

 

Hmm. I've never had a membership. That will change after next month.

I just renewed my RWVA membership.  Sent a copy of my membership card to the CMP so I can order ammo (or a Garand) without delay.

ShadowMan

[BeSwift]

We did a WW shoot in MD a couple of years back. I was a bit disappointed with the experience, and came away with the following:  1) WW is a fundraising MACHINE and is geared primarily to that. 2) After MUCH red tape I did have lunch with the WW rep who  was a great guy; who basically notified local members of the event via email. That was about the extent of their support.

I understand what they are and think they have value, but have gotten a off focus to their mission. They're starting to morph into a self perpetuating brand..

Like any large organization, they aren't going to take sides on politically charged issues. I don't agree with it, but I understand it. I also think there a better veterans groups to donate to, who reach them on the grassroots level, and actually do a lot more good, albeit on a smaller scale.

Gotta echo Fred..Keep your donations with the program.. Do it big this year, before the new tax laws limit charitable giving further in 2013....  BeSwift

[COJeepGirl]

Wow, what a drag, I totally just signed up with my company who offers to match your donation-guess I should have checked them out before donating-guess who is cancelling their pledge....THIS Gal. Yeah Fred you are right.................................

[dragonfly]

Donating to the RWVA is like a donation to all veteran's past and present. In fact its more like an investment, an investment in our future as a nation for all Americans, young and old.

D-fly Keeping the Faith

[jmdavis]

Look into M1's for vets. I have shot with these guys at Creedmoor, the Atlantic Fleet Matches, and Camp Perry. They are a great group that works to get wounded vets shooting in competition again. They operate on a shoe string and I know for a fact that they appreciate the help.  A donation to them will make you feel good inside.

http://www.m1forvets.com/About_Our_Project.html


You might note that their donation page first asks for time, then equipment and then finally money. They really are a worthy group.

Mike

[RODGE]

BeSwift, Shadowman and Fred have it right.  I will always keep up my RWVA membership as long as I can squeeze a trigger.  And being able to do business with CMP is a plus.  Go Liberty!

[dond]

I informed a friend of mine, a veteran, about this situation. He investigated it and his reply to me follows. I think we can continue to give to WW now as a result of this.


Don -

I called Ms. Leslie A. Coleman.  She is the Public Relations Director of the Wounded Warriors Program (WWP).  She was new at her job when she sent those emails to Tom Gresham.  She admitted to me that she misunderstood the WWP policies and the ties to the gun supporting public.  She admitted that they have hunts and shoots for the Wounded Warriors and that they receive many, many donations from all members of various organizations that enjoy or deal with guns.  She admitted screwed up.



Her boss appeared on Gresham's show the next week after she and Gresham exchanged those emails posted on his website.  Apparently, her boss straightened everything out on the show but there has been no change of the posted emails on Gresham's website.  I read her the http link you sent me and told her she better get Gresham to take that down if that is not the policy of the WWP.  She knows the internet has a life of its own and that articles will live forever being played and replayed by various groups over and over again, not knowing what is correct and not.  She said she would get in touch with Tom and ask him to pull it off his website and that she would send him a retraction explaining that was not the policy of the WWP.



We will have to wait and see what happens.  If what she says is true, it seems to me that Tom Gresham should be just as quick to post the corrections from her boss as he was to post the original problem.  Tom should be commended for bringing this to the public's attention and getting to the truth about the Wounded Warrior Program.  Now, all he has to do is publish the truth and send it around the internet so our wounded kids won't loose all the support they so desperately need.



Thanks for bringing it to my attention.  I will continue to monitor his and the WW websites.  If there is no posted retraction within the next week, I will again call Ms. Coleman and see what is happening from her side and if need be, call Tom Gresham about his.

[Johnnyappleseed]

I listened to the interview with ww CEO and Tom Gresham
www.guntalk.com and the interview did not go well for wounded warrior project .
Tom Gresham confronted the CEO and the CEO weaseled and sounded really bad .

Tom Gresham offered other groups who do the same thing w/o the anti gun baggage .

All are encouraged to listen for themselves to the interview and decide if the level of anti gun and anti knife agenda are big enough to discard this group .

For me the answer is yes .

Thanx Don for keeping the dialog between wounded warrior and the gun culture alive .

Just found it .
The  CEO s name is Steve Nardizzi and the interview with him took place Nov 18 2012  see part 1 of Toms program add your feelings if so inclined .