Confusion about fundraising for Placer County SAR team
By Kim Minugh, Sacramento Bee
A charity organization appears to be looking for money at the same time the Placer County Sheriff’s Search and Rescue team is seeking donations, causing some confusion among residents, according to authorities.
As part of the Search and Rescue team’s annual fundraising efforts, a telemarketing company is calling Placer County residents to ask for donations. At the same time, a group calling itself “Search and Rescue Charities,” which has no affiliation with the county Sheriff’s Search and Rescue team, also is calling residents for money, according to a news release from the Placer County Sheriff’s Department.
County officials are advising residents that the Search and Rescue Charities group is not raising money for the local Search and Rescue team.
Many years ago, an organization I belong to looked into this telemarketing fundraising. It wasn’t so sophisticated then but we found out they took 50% plus expenses. So I made it a policy not to ever buy anything or donate over the phone. In this economy we must be even more careful of telemarketers AND people selling door-to-door. Most don’t have City business licenses and if you don’t get what your purchase “to put me through college” you have no recourse. Our local non-profits use their money wisely so save your charitable donations for them.