Quoted:
I'll gladly send anything to help our soldiers out but I won't send it to the Red [s]Cross[/s]Crescent.

Have two stories to relate to you that you might enjoy.  (It's not going to be a 9/11 story... but sort of).

When my Dad was in Korea he saw a lot of guys get shot up.   Fortunately besides some near misses and an incident with a close call and running into barbed wire, he escaped serious injury.  However, he being a squad leader he found out that some of the guys in his squad who were wounded and who he visited later on, or who were lucky (some would say unlucky) to come back to the front, had their pay reduced when they were in hospital.  Reason?  Reimburse the Red Cross for the blood they provided to them!  By the way these same fellows had "donated" blood in the Red Cross blood drives.

Story 2.  Close friend's grandfather was in France during WWI.  Got gassed and crawled off into a pig shed to die.  Wakes up sick as a dog, his unit is gone, the farm is abandoned and he has no kit besides what he's wearing.  Spends next day or two really sick, then feels well enough to try to get back to the rear.  Walks God knows how far, is a terrible mess but sees more and more signs of life and finally comes upon a Red Cross canteen.  Hasn't eaten in days and goes right up and takes a doughnut (or several), upon which he is admonished by the Red Cross workers and told that he is a thief and needs to pay for the doughnuts.  He hands the uneaten ones back and finally finds a Salvation Army Canteen where they provide the food free of charge.

Guess the long point of this is I'll support them if they are the only ones doing anything, but would rather send my money elsewhere to help out.

Dear Paul:

Thank you for contacting the American Red Cross regarding the fees charged for coffee and doughnuts.

While it is true that the American Red Cross charged fees for food and lodging at stationary installations during World War II, the fee system was implemented at the request of the U.S. War Department.  

Excerpts from a May 20, 1942, letter from Secretary of War Henry L. Stimson to the American Red Cross below clearly explains this request.

"The Red Cross officials appear to be reluctant to provide these accommodations, except on a basis of no charge to servicemen, unless specifically requested by the Commanding General in that area to provide them at some cost to the recipients ....

The War Department appreciates the motive of the Red Cross with respect to this matter and its established policy of free service, but under the circumstances it is believed impractical, unnecessary and undesirable that food and lodging be furnished free ...."

In addition, the American Red Cross, contrary to the belief held by many servicemen and civilians, had to pay for most food supplies that it received from the Army, as well as for those obtained from local civilian sources.

In April 1946, General Dwight D. Eisenhower, United States Army Chief of Staff, reiterated the policy regarding such charges:

"During the current Red Cross fund campaign vast numbers of patriotic Americans have responded generously to the cause. Already the majority of chapters have reached or exceeded their local goals. In some communities, however, I understand the campaign is lagging, and I am surprised to learn that one of the reasons given is that complaints are being leveled at the organization's overseas operation by returning servicemen. For the most part these criticisms have grown out of a Red Cross policy of making nominal charges to our forces for food and lodging in fixed Red Cross installations abroad. These complaints are distressing to me since this particular Red Cross policy was adopted at the request of the Army, so as to insure an equitable distribution among all service personnel of Red Cross resources.

I know the Red Cross. I have seen it in action. Overseas it performed with the precision of well-trained army. It would be a grave injustice to the splendid work of the Red Cross if its campaign should be retarded anywhere by mistaken criticisms.

In providing millions of pints of life saving blood plasma, thousands upon thousands of packages for prisoners of war, in relaying countless heart-warming messages regarding conditions at home, bringing comfort and entertainment and cheer to hospitals, leave areas and battle fronts, the Red Cross accomplished a prodigious task. In Africa - in England, later on the Continent, we learned how much it meant to find the companionship, the friendliness, the link with home the Red Cross managed to provide.

The services of the Red cross are as urgently needed today by our occupation troops, our men in hospitals, and our veterans as they ever were by our fighting forces in time of war. The Red Cross needs and deserves our continued support..."

Today's American Red Cross is keeping pace with the changing military. Featuring the latest in computer and telecommunications technology, the American Red Cross Emergency Service Center delivers around-the-clock emergency communication services to active duty military personnel, and to their families.

American Red Cross Emergency Services are available to all members of the armed services, and to their families. Both active duty and community-based military can count on the Red Cross to provide emergency communications, emergency financial assistance, counseling, veterans assistance and aid in the field where Red Cross workers are deployed to serve with America's military.

Regarding the blood issue, I will have to research that and get back to you....

Sincerely,
American Red Cross Inquiry Center

Quoted:
Continuing to call Bull Shit on the claim that the Red Cross was selling doughnuts in WWI and blood in WWII to our service members I found this:

[b]"One of the biggest misconceptions is that the Red Cross is reimbursed for expenses incurred. Neither the victims, insurance companies or government agencies reimburse the Red Cross. ALL services provided are FREE OF CHARGE and are provided through the voluntary contributions of the American people."[/b]

I've e-mailed Snopes.com to investigate this claim that 95thFoot is making and I'm e-mailing the national Red Cross too. Done and done

Disclosure: I taught CPR for the Red Cross nearly 20 years ago.

Quoted:
Anyway here is my offer to all Arfcom members, anyone that desires for any article to be delivered to Walter Reed or Bethesda in care of our troops let me know. I will deliver it in person and make sure it is received by our troops.