Impact guru advertisement in front of me...

@vandana7 (98942)
India
December 18, 2022 6:34am CST
So it is a site asking for donations And the little girl looks like her face has been graphically altered. It may be a genuine image too...but it may not be. I am not too happy donating through such appeals because of this reason. What about you?
5 people like this
6 responses
DE
@DaddyEvil (137142)
• United States
18 Dec 22
In the US there is a site you can go to that tells you how much of each dollar you donate actually goes to help whatever the foundation cares about. I always look the sites up before donating anything.
https://www.charitynavigator.org/#:~:text=Charity%20Ratings%20and%20Donor%20Resources&text=Charity%20Navigator
www.charitynavigator.org
https://www.charitynavigator.org/#:~:text=Charity%20Ratings%20and%20Donor%20Resources&text=Charity%20Navigator
3 people like this
much2say
@much2say (53944)
• Los Angeles, California
18 Dec 22
Thanks, DE . . . I'm gonna use this site from now on - didn't know it existed!
2 people like this
DE
@DaddyEvil (137142)
• United States
19 Dec 22
@much2say You're very welcome. If you come across a site they don't have in their listing, you can tell them the site and they will do the work of finding everything out about the site you're interested in.
2 people like this
The Horse
@TheHorse (206354)
• Walnut Creek, California
19 Dec 22
I still feel like I'm peeing away my money when I donate to a cause. When I do volunteer work, I can see the fruits of my labor right before me.
3 people like this
RUBESH
@Manasha (2727)
• Pondicherry, India
18 Dec 22
I understand your concerns about the image and it's validity. It is important to make sure that donations are going to a legitimate cause, and any misgivings about the source are valid. I would suggest doing your research on the site and the organization behind it before making any donations. Make sure that the cause is valid and that the money will be used to actually help the cause they are promoting. Additionally, if possible, look into the legitimacy of the image. If it is a graphic alteration, this could be a sign that donations are not being allocated correctly. Ultimately, whatever decision you make, it is important to be an informed donor and make sure your donations are going to the right place.
3 people like this
M.-L.
@MALUSE (69409)
• Germany
18 Dec 22
Seconded! In Germany, you can check a list online on which trustworthy organisations are mentioned. If you don't have such a list in your country, you can donate your money to an organisation who can trust, like the Red Cross. I never donate money to organisations which address me with sob stories and photos of tearful children's eyes.
3 people like this
vanny
@vandana7 (98942)
• India
19 Dec 22
I have donated a couple of times earlier. But then, once they realize this is the source, they come with repeat requests. So I stopped. I do donate to organizations but honestly, I feel uncomfortable about some things they do. Helpage sent me images of people who were helped, and all of them seemed to be Christians. That is not ok...everybody needs to be helped...whether Christian or Muslim or Hindu or Buddhist or belonging to no religion. Another orphanage was not allowing me to meet the child I was sponsoring. Something fishy...so I kinda stopped after a few years.
The Horse
@TheHorse (206354)
• Walnut Creek, California
19 Dec 22
I just donate time. Not money.
1 person likes this
much2say
@much2say (53944)
• Los Angeles, California
18 Dec 22
I have only made donations to charities that I know about. There are too many scams and such out there . . . anyone can put any face to their pleas for money.
2 people like this
vanny
@vandana7 (98942)
• India
18 Dec 22
Exactly. I have had monies taken from my bank account, so it is our policy in our household, only self checks, and payment in cash. Very rarely I pay online. I use checks because I am scared. Netbanking is fine....in one account, and I use UPI only in one account where I keep transferring minimum amount every month.
1 person likes this
vanny
@vandana7 (98942)
• India
19 Dec 22
@much2say It was a huge sum so it struck us immediately. We have a UPI account. We transfer within our accounts. Not outside accounts. The UPI account we transfer monies once or twice in a month for regular shopping. For all else, we issue checks.
1 person likes this
much2say
@much2say (53944)
• Los Angeles, California
18 Dec 22
@vandana7 Having money taken out of your account sure is scary. Today in fact my husband's friend called to say he fell for a scam - I think all of his money was swept out of his account. It is a different case, but still it is stolen money. It is sometimes stressful to wonder if accounts with money are indeed safe .
1 person likes this
Anna
@LadyDuck (458976)
• Switzerland
18 Dec 22
There is an official list of legit organizations. I only donate to online organizations who publish sad children stories. Most of the time those are not true.
1 person likes this
vanny
@vandana7 (98942)
• India
19 Dec 22
I have been scammed a couple of times, so I stopped. LOL. Pony once advised me against helping somebody. LOL
1 person likes this
Anna
@LadyDuck (458976)
• Switzerland
20 Dec 22
@vandana7 I only donate to our local charity, at least I know where the money goes.
1 person likes this
The Horse
@TheHorse (206354)
• Walnut Creek, California
19 Dec 22
I would just shake my head and sigh. If the girl was real, and appeared in my lap, I would take her for ice cream and conversation. And then take her to her adults. No money would be offered. But more time would be offered.
1 person likes this
vanny
@vandana7 (98942)
• India
19 Dec 22
That would be worth a million because love is invaluable. Money comes and goes, what you offer is something too precious.
1 person likes this
vanny
@vandana7 (98942)
• India
19 Dec 22
@TheHorse I have felt so much better opening up to you about my little sister. And she replied after I dared to contact her. Virtual hugs to you for that favor. In some way, we all need healing...and have to heal one another in ways that god has given us, I suppose.
The Horse
@TheHorse (206354)
• Walnut Creek, California
19 Dec 22
@vandana7 I think most humans want positive interaction with "safe" others.
1 person likes this
LindaOH
@LindaOHio (157044)
• United States
19 Dec 22
I NEVER donate to any sites except those that are familiar and well known. Be careful!
1 person likes this
vanny
@vandana7 (98942)
• India
19 Dec 22
I donated to a couple, and they became kinda repeat requests, so I stopped.
1 person likes this