Why we need to look hard at charities set up to help our comrades.

SSG Izzy Abbass — Thu, 16 Jul 2015 11:36:34 -0400

This was just forwarded to me: http://www.justice.gov/usao/cas/press/2015/cas15-0710-LombardPaixao.html
It iss a prime example of why we need to continually be vigilant about organizations which supposedly are set up to help Veterans. I've been banging on this drum for sometime now. There are organizations which have become well known but really are just an IP (intellectual property - or logo) company and those that center around one individual. There are lots of great groups out there that are doing amazing work in their communities. Project Sanctuary, the Fisher House, Team Red, White and Blue, Team Rubicon, etc. are just a few examples.

If you know of one doing a great job at a local level, share the information.

Founders Of Film School For Wounded Veterans Found Guilty Of Conspiracy, Fraud, And Embezzlement...

SAN DIEGO – A federal jury returned guilty verdicts this afternoon against Judith Paixao and Kevin Lombard, a husband and wife who embezzled federal funds that were intended to provide job training, benefits and equipment for injured Marines returning from Iraq and Afghanistan.

Response by CPT Bruce Rodgers made Jul 16 at 2015 11:40 AM

CPT Bruce Rodgers — Thu, 16 Jul 2015 11:40:39 -0400

I stick to the old reliable organizations

Response by PO1 John Miller made Jul 16 at 2015 11:59 AM

PO1 John Miller — Thu, 16 Jul 2015 11:59:23 -0400

Combat Veterans Motorcycle Association (CVMA) chapter 32-2, "Vets Helping Vets." What we do (I am a "fully patched" member) locally is support Esperanza En Escalante, a transitional housing community for Tucson veterans (I pulled this info directly from our flyer). We assist this organization in getting veterans off the street and into a suitable living environment, help them enroll in social services like the VA and any city/state services they may qualify for, help with employment, groceries, and even providing transportation.
CVMA 32-2 is an AWESOME association and I am very proud to be a brother.

Response by MAJ Robert (Bob) Petrarca made Jul 16 at 2015 12:00 PM

MAJ Robert (Bob) Petrarca — Thu, 16 Jul 2015 12:00:49 -0400

Frauds are being committed every minute of every day in so many forms its almost incomprehensible. Losers are out there trying to scam every dollar they can from the unsuspecting public. These bottom feeding cowards have no morals, no ethics, no cares and worst of all no conscience about who they defraud. The sad part is these people are smart, devious and deceptive. My wife and I were almost victims ourselves recently. My wife signed up on a child care web site looking for children to care for. Within a few days we had some inquiries from people moving into the area that needed someone over the summer. They didn't contact my wife through the site, but instead through her email which was available on the site. (clue #1) after several emails and texts, a price was agreed upon and they would send a check as opposed to paying through the site (clue #2) Then they wanted us to cash the check and Instagram (even telling us where one was located near us) money to a third party holding stuff in storage (dead giveaway #1) then they started texting my wife every hour to see if the check had been cashed and money sent (dead giveaway #2). We were close but after receiving the check for an unusually large amount ($2700.00 - $300.00 short of being picked up by the bank money laundering fraud radar) we put all the pieces together. The people claimed they were from 1 state, the money was sent from a second state with a bank check from a 3rd state asking us to send the money to a 4th state. We called the Attorney General and sure enough - SCAM. These people even went to the length of providing us a profile of the child we were to care for including favorite toys, foods, eating and sleeping habits - I mean really thought out.

Educate yourselves about these scams and question ANYTHING that doesn't pass the sniff test!

Response by SCPO David Lockwood made Jul 16 at 2015 12:11 PM

SCPO David Lockwood — Thu, 16 Jul 2015 12:11:03 -0400

To protect against fraudulent charities.

Response by CPT Pedro Meza made Jul 16 at 2015 4:07 PM

CPT Pedro Meza — Thu, 16 Jul 2015 16:07:07 -0400

Money is the root of all evil, and charity money is easy money, therefor investigate before you donate. Because when you don't then "A fool and his money are soon parted".

Response by MSG Brad Sand made Jul 16 at 2015 4:10 PM

MSG Brad Sand — Thu, 16 Jul 2015 16:10:44 -0400

I think we need to look at all our charities and make sure they are doing what they are claiming. I am happy that they caught and punished those using the deaths of hero to profit for themselves.

Response by LCDR Rabbah Rona Matlow made Jul 16 at 2015 4:49 PM

LCDR Rabbah Rona Matlow — Thu, 16 Jul 2015 16:49:44 -0400

I routinely get mailings and phone calls from "charities". I never give money on the phone. I invite them to mail me something. If I get a mailing from some organization I don't know, I check it out on Charity Navigator, BBB.org, etc. If it's bogus - into the circular file...

Response by SSG Dian Sloniger made Feb 12 at 2023 11:22 PM

SSG Dian Sloniger — Sun, 12 Feb 2023 23:22:33 -0500

I can assure you THIS charity is a veteran charity that aims to help veterans, first responders and all disaster survivors in the most feasibly financially responsible ways possible as of Feb 2023. I just completed my 11th deployment and as a veteran with some nasty ptsd I highly recommend it- as a donor or as a greyshirt