Can't tell you 'bout Red Cross, but before I retired my employer made a big deal of 100% of employees donating to United Way (a well known secret that if you didn't contribute, you didn't get hired). 'Course, United Way donated a sizeable amount of money to Red Cross, and when United Way got caught donating money to gun control groups, a number of employees stopped donating to United Way. We were told we could specify where our donations went, but knowing they would simply rob from Peter to pay Paul, we removed authorization for the company to deduct donations from our paychecks.
It's a shame it came to this, but organizations like the United Way really need to keep their nose outta politics-'specially those trying to deny you a constitutional right!
BTW-a little history in order here, but I'm flying on memory-when this issue was brought up, the United Way initially denied it, but the NRA had documents proving they had donated to gun control groups. The NRA sat on the proof long enough for the United Way CEO to hang himself and the organization.
First they denied giving money towards gun control.
When confronted with proof, they then offered to send donations where you specified.
I can point you to this from
VCDL's Gun Owner Unfriendly Businesses page (
Boldface mine):
American Red Cross
Everyone who can, should make regular blood donations. However, the Red Cross does not respect us, so find a hospital that doesn't ban guns. Yes, I know that is hard, but it is possible. It doesn't hurt, takes about half an hour in total, and will really make you feel good.
From the Red Cross Disaster Response Handbook (May 2008):
14. Violence-Free Work Environment
The Red Cross promotes a safe work environment for all employees and volunteers and does not tolerate any type of violent behavior committed by or against employees or volunteers. All Red Cross workers, regardless of their personnel category, are expected to conduct themselves in a professional manner and in accordance with the Code of Conduct.
Threatening or violent behavior committed by anyone against employees, volunteers, vendors or clients during work or off-duty hours will not be tolerated. Such behavior may include, but is not limited to, the following:
Physical injury to another person;
Threats;
Behavior that creates a reasonable fear of injury in another person;
Intentionally causing damage to employer property or property of another employee or volunteer;
Possession of weapons (for example, guns, knives, clubs, explosive devices, etc.) on Red Cross property or while at Red Cross sponsored- activities;
Committing acts motivated by, or related to, sexual harassment or domestic violence.
Management will take seriously and appropriately respond to statements or gestures that in any way suggest that the employee or volunteer may engage in violent conduct.
Employees and volunteers on a disaster relief operation must immediately report any potentially dangerous situations or unauthorized individuals on Red Cross premises to Staff Relations and Investigations, Compliance and Ethics. Investigations, Compliance and Ethics will promptly investigate reports of statements or behavior that may violate this policy. Investigations, Compliance and Ethics will conduct all investigations in as confidential a manner as possible. An employee or volunteer suspected of violent behavior will be dismissed from the disaster relief operation and placed on a temporary inactive status during the investigation until investigations, Compliance and Ethics determines a course of action in consultation with the Staff Relations activity.
