McDonalds gave $1.5 billion to Salvation Army

[Deja Q]

Poll question: McDonalds gave $1.5 billion to Salvation Army

What do you think?

I think she's awesome by giving most of her wealth to a charity in her will.

I won't even bring up the SA's anti-gay issue, though I ought to as I am somewhat biased.

Could she have found a better organization to give to?

[Limbought]

1. What about the Ronald McDonald Houses?

Jeez!

[ogminlo]

2. The SA has good intentions, but:

it leans too far to the poisonous fundamentalist wing of the faith.

The problem with the gift is it doe not sustain itself- it must go to building projects that the SA will have to figure out how to fund on their own.

But that kind of philanthropy is tough to criticize more than that...

[Dookus]

3. actually, I read it does sustain itself.

half the money's for construction, the other half to go into a trust to maintain the endowment.

I personally am very sorry she chose the SA to receive that large a gift. I don't like their "pray for pay" policy - I think coercing people to join your religion in exchange for a hot meal is demeaning.

[auburnblu]

4. What a huge donation

We could find something to criticize about almost anyone's donation. Some people hate Habitat for Humanity on here I'm sure because, oh my, they dare to have a religious background. Ever notice that the reasons a lot of charities get going is due to religious affiliation of some sort, i.e. Habitat, Red Cross Salvation Army.

I keep looking for a big-time charity started by atheists, maybe someone on here will help start it.

[trof]

5. NOT from McDonald's

The Salvation Army announced Tuesday that it was receiving the largest gift ever given to a charity - a donation likely to exceed $1.5 billion from the estate of Joan Kroc, widow of the founder of McDonald's.
http://www.iht.com/articles/125810.html

[DODI]

6. She also gave a very large amount to NPR

I always give to the SA at Christmas. We were raised on that. When my uncles were in WWII, the SA gave them free coffee, donuts, pencils, papers, etc. -- the Red Cross always charged them. One of my husbands uncles go into a fight with the Red Cross when he was in England -- the took coffee from their mess, set up a table and then starting charging the soldiers!

[digno dave]

7. what about...

She should have donated it to the Diabetes Association, Weight Watchers of America, The American Cancer Society and the Sierra Club(land cleared for cattle).

[Rabrrrrrr]

8. The RabrrrrrrHome(tm) for Musicians, Artists, and Writers

I could have had enough money not only to finally begin my dream, but to actualy have gone beyond it, by also guaranteeing myself a million a year in pay.

1.5 billion - that's a lot of money.

I'd rather it hadn't gone to the salvation army, but other than their "pay or pray" and anti-gay agenda, they really do some terrific work and are very dedicated.

1.5 billion to the SA is excessive; they are quite well-funded already, but, what the hell. At least it's a low-overhead organization that actually helps people.

[CanuckAmok]

9. It's a good start...

When was the last time someone that wealthy gave so much?

Why split hairs (or is it splitting heirs?)? She's setting a good example, and love 'em or hate 'em, the SA has a pretty decent track record for keeping their admin costs down. Most of their donations go directly to street level, which helps the needy, and which in turn stimulates the local economy in poor areas.

It would be nice to not have to pray for one's supper, but few poor people have that luxury. If I were living on the street, I'd dance the freakin' Charleston on a flagpole while quoting Mein Kampf if that's what it took for me to be clothed and fed. It wouldn't mean I loved dancing or was a nazi.

I agree with opposition to the 'pray or pay' school of charity, though. Once you attach conditions to a charitible act, it's no longer charity-it's commerce.

[HEyHEY]

10. McDonalds is supporting CONTRAS!

VIVE LA REVOLOUTION...... oh, sorry I was confused.