You’ve all gotten them, right? An envelope, or sometimes even a box, from some alleged charity you’ve never heard of before. You open it up and discover personalized mailing labels, greeting cards, a notepad, a tree ornament, a cheap electronic doodad, a coin, or whatever, along with a plea to send a donation.
The strategy the charity is employing is twofold: some confused old people and idiots will think they’re required to send a donation in exchange for the junk, and some others will feel compelled to send a donation because they would otherwise feel guilty about accepting something for nothing from a charity.
I call these “guilt mailings.”
(Interestingly, the UK’s Institute of Fundraising says they’re a no-no (page 8): “Fundraising organisations OUGHT to be able to demonstrate that the purpose of the enclosure was to enhance the message and/or the emotional engagement in the cause and not to generate a donation primarily because of financial guilt or to cause embarrassment.”)
I know what the senders of these mailings are trying to do, and I know it’s slimy, so I’m completely immune to their efforts to generate guilt. Not only that, but rather than prompting me to donate, guilt mailings tend to have the opposite effect — I tend to put any charity which uses them onto my “do not donate” list for good. If the freebie is useful, I go ahead and use it without any qualms at all. I’m heartless about it… when they send reply envelopes with stamps on them, I cut off the stamps and use them to send my own letters, just on principle.
I thought by now I’d seen it all, but I received in the mail today the guilt mailing to beat all guilt mailings, from St. Joseph’s Indian School in Chamberlain, South Dakota:
(click for larger image)
What have we got here? Taking it from the top:
- The envelope in which everything was packaged.
- A big card with a pretty picture and “Special Holiday Gifts for YOU from the Lakota children!” printed on it, with a ribbon, two bows, and a retractable ball-point pen taped to it.
- Twenty-four personalized address labels and six gift stickers, with “What shall I bring to the Lord, the God of heaven, when I come to worship him? – Micah 6:6” on the back of them. Oh, I don’t know, how about a retractable ball-point pen and some personalized address labels?
- The pitch letter about the poor Lakota Indian children (one of them with the fictional name “Emily Fire Cloud”; oh, it’s just too trite for words!) that St. Joseph’s wants you to help them missionize.
- Notepad (not personalized; cheapskates!) with the same bible quote on the back of it.
- The first of eight rather fancy Christmas cards with envelopes.
- Reply card and return envelope.
- More cards and envelopes, and finally, a piece of wrapping paper.
Imagine my surprise (not!) that the American Institute of Philanthropy has not issued a rating to this charity. They are a religious organization and therefore exempt from reporting laws, and they declined the AIP’s requests for information that would enable them to issue a rating. The BBB Wise Giving Alliance says that St. Joseph’s fails to meet three of the 20 standards they use to rate charities. And if you donate to St. Joseph’s, they’ll sell your personal information to make more money off of you. And let’s not forget about those messy allegations of abuse at the school.
Here’s my personal rating for St. Joseph’s: a big, fat, F.
UPDATE: The only sign of any organization other than St. Joseph’s on any of the materials enclosed in the mailing is this tiny logo on the back of the greeting cards, enlarged here for readability:
Googling for “reproducta” takes you to http://www.reproducta.com/, and the “For Fundraising” box on Reproducta’s home page takes you to http://www.quadrigaart.com/. Judging from the content on the latter site, this mailing was probably produced by Quadriga Art, Inc.
UPDATE [April 5, 2011]: It turns out that Quadriga Art, Inc. does not exactly have a stellar record. According to the American Institute of Philanthropy, at least two different charities for which Quadriga did fundraising, Disabled Veterans National Foundation and SPCA International, paid Quadriga so much for its services that they ended up in major debt to Quadriga, i.e., Quadriga charged them significantly more than they raised, to the tune of millions of dollars. Furthermore, at least one and perhaps both of these charities had contracts with Quadriga which required that their debt to Quadriga be paid off before they could use a single cent of donations for the services their charities were actually supposed to be providing. By utilizing Quadriga’s services, St. Joseph’s has affiliated itself with a fundraising company which thinks nothing of ripping off charities, and puts itself in the company of charities which are at best mismanaged and at worst fraudulent.
UPDATE [December 4, 2011]: Check out the dream-catchers (remarked upon by several people in comments below) that are currently being included in the guilt mailings from St. Joseph’s (click for a full-size image):
Some of these charities are legit and this is a way for them to be funded, but try to research them as much as possible by googling them. That said, I was being drowned in mails with more return labels printed than I could use in 4 lifetimes. So I decided to donate only through Charity Navigator – which not only summarizes donations if you do itemize on taxes – but also gives you the option of donating anonymously. This fulfills any guilt-obligation I might have but THEY DON’T KNOW who it’s from. So with time, they will stop sending me stuff! And stop sharing my email with others. Even Mass cards – I send the name of the person only – and I donate through Charity Navigator….
We just received our first mailing this week. Wow! Guilt mailing absolutely! I’ve learned more about “fake charities” the past couple of years that I did a quick search and found a ton of negative articles. Always trust your instincts! There are too many people praying on others’ generosity and/or guilt.
My husband went to that school. He is Native American; however, not all the kids are. Also, they have millions of dollars and they don’t treat the students well. He said he couldn’t tell where they used the money, it always sucked and nothing was ever done. So I think they pocket the money.
OMG!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! MY GUTS WOULD TWIST EVERYTIME i RECEIVED MY PACKAGE OF GOODIES. i DID FEEL GUILTY WHEN IT SAID PLEASE . I AM SO HAPPY i READ ALL OF THE REVIEWS. NOW I FEEL ANGRY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
March 2019. I received this package this week. The information was potentially leaked by Arbor Day Foundation which I subscribed with my name but my friend’s address. And the fraud package contained this combination- my name and her address. I’ve emailed Arbor Day Foundation to make a compliant about it.
That’s very interesting. My mother got her new St. Joseph’s Indian School guilt letter at the same time she got her Arbor Day Foundation hand-out letter…
Got mine today–Socks too!
I started giving to St. Joe’s many years ago, usually at Thanksgiving/Christmas time and maybe in the summer, for the least amount asked for. Then, when I gave at Thanksgiving time last year, not 2 weeks later they were asking for Christmas donations. Really? Also, I was receiving the ‘are you enjoying your gifts’ letters, so please send more money. If they are gifts, why am I paying for them? That was about it for me. A couple of things, I haven’t had to buy occasion cards for years, and my granddaughter now has a lovely dreamcatcher collection over her bed. I’m sure she’ll be adding more as the ‘gifts’, without a doubt, will keep on coming.
Yes, they still keep coming,even though I have put them back in the mailbox saying return to sender! I donated once,and never committed to donating in the future. I’m still wondering if the Little Girl got her books she wanted for Christmas!
If you send a letter or e-mail requesting that they stop sending “gifts”, they will. They occasionally slip in a letter telling me how much they “miss me”, but the mass mailings have stopped. Good luck!
SAME HERE DONATED ONLY ONCE YET THEY STILL KEEP COMING!
Nov.23,2019
anonymous
The same here, I started giving two years ago ,after reading these comments I don’t feel guilty for not giving. I am a giver and I know the Lord want us to help others ,but they have taken advanced of us because we waned to share what God has blessed us with.
Thanks
I would like to say you all for your responses. I’ve learned allot. I donate to St. Josephs. But there is another Native American school that sends me stuff. It is St. Libre. They do the same as St. Josephs. Send packages of actually junk. I noticed several mention those pens that St. Josephs sends out. Those are junk. Made in China. They don’t last long. I was trying to google to see if St. Josephs receives any money from North Dakota. But to no avail. I have received some native american socks from St. Josephs. I think they were made for kids and not adults. I couldn’t wear them. I’m on the fence about donating anymore. They are now wanting people to donate to an endowment or leave them in a will. They I mean St. Josephs. I’m definitely not doing that. It’s just a shame what the 3 party people do. To make money for themselves instead of the charity they are working for. One good thing is at least St. Josephs is tax deductable. Thank you all. Have a blessed day.
The specifically claim in the guiltmailing I received yesterday that they receive no government funding, of which I am suspicious – meaning, I don’t believe them. I note, though, that I cannot find a URL for them that follows the standard k12.nd.us format. I also found it problematic that in August of 2020, the huge mailing contained NOTHING about what’s going on at the school in the depths of COVID-19. That alone, would prevent me taking them seriously as a school seeking donations. I did find information on the www that said they shut down in March of 2020, and intend to reopen for the 2020-2021 school year. I’ve looked at them from the sky, and as small as their school and grounds are, I cannot see the need for the amount of money they raise annually, if it is used primarily to pay the costs of educating and housing children. The k-9 school I attended in my youth is at least twice the size of St Joseph’s, and uses $20 million LESS to operate for a full school year.
Think your suspicions are correct and the junk they send you is made in China not by the Indians. All Indians receive government money. The one report I did read all they had to say after the reporters visit was the children seemed happy but then again you could tell them to smile or else.
Thank you all for your comments. I have donated twice and received the packages described above. I’m sending book donations for the library. My last correspondence with St. Joseph school I left a message for the school library and got a wish list for inexpensive book titles, which I may send. I am so glad I checked out the web for information on St. Joseph’s School. I tried to contact the CNN writer of an article on sexual abuse and money scams regarding St. Joseph and another Indian school without success. Please remember the children and likely most of the school staff are probably not part of any scam, and the children (are) victims of severe poverty. I wonder if anyone who can take action is following up on these scams; probably not. Shame on all these organizations (and the agencies who help in these scams). Thank you all and Merry Christmas.
Anonymous I have been receiving mail from St. Joseph I took a chance
and sent a 5.00 donation I hope it goes to good. Thanks
This is what I would say to those who wrote this crap “probably by white people”. There are so many outfits out there that do this crap, but you don’t hear people posting slam information about them, but because these are Native Americans you will do all you can to slam them. I will not say that what they are doing is right, people should be very honest about these things, what I am saying is that you should include all those outfits out there doing this stuff. And then there is no one making care about others as God would have you do, your choices on that issue is your own, but you do not have the right to ask others to give a dam about you if you cannot care about others.
This has Nothing To Do with Native Americans! Don’t assume this is a racial group posting their comments. I am married to a Native American,he also wonders why we keep getting mail from this organized. We also have received others, like Disabled Veterans,Jude Hospital,Parylized Vetrons etc. When I asked them to quit,they quit. Haven’t seen a greeting card or return address stickers for a long time. Im just saying,I hate them to loose money and keep sending things,when we have requested not to,more than once. Why does everything have to become a “race’ issue. Im sure there are others Besides me, that don’t give a hoot where and who sends it. Natives American, Black, Hispanic,Chinese,Mung, White etc. I wish the gifts were only sent to people that want them. The idea is to make money for these kids,and not have it thrown out. Thank you
Thank you Runnindeer!! My thoughts exactly I am what has been called a half breed and adopted out as a baby to a white couple I could be bitter and say no one helped me but guess what it isn’t about me, or you, or anyone else but the KIDS!! who live in poverty and some in 3rd world like conditions with no water or at best dirty water , and when they get commodities it sometimes sits in the trucks till they rot then they are passed out,,,it’s true please believe it! so please people get off your so called moral high horse and help these kids!!
Carol
P.S. I wish I could have gone there instead of living in a world that taught me nothing of who i was and where I really belonged!
I am sorry for your pain, but since there have been allegations of sexual and physical abuse at St. Joseph’s, I doubt you mean what you say. I agree that Native American children need help, but they will not get it from white missionaries, that would be like jumping out of the pot and into the fire or asking a thief for a handout. St. Joselph’s wants money and is using Native children to get it. They do not help them and never have. You might as well throw your donations in the trash or burn your money before giving it them.
If you want to help Native kids, educate yourself and become a nurse, or a doctor, or a lawyer or teacher. Then instead of going to your tribe with your hands out and asking for something from them, go with your arms full of yourself and give all you are to them, and I am sure they will reciprocate and teach you about your culture. Then you don’t have to ask others on the internet to give or help because you and people like you will be enough.
If I have learned anything, it is that the world owes us nothing. We are born and then we make the best of the life we have. I too have lost my culture. I too have no place. So, I make my own place. You can too. I wish you peace.
Thank you Whitewolfwoman,
I do not wish to suggest that anything the people above have said has no basis in truth; in many ways, truth is what we make of it. I think you have cut to the heart of the matter, though, and for that I give my thanks. It is my opinion that the entity calling itself “St Joseph’s Indian School” exists on at least some level, as a means to obtain money from people who they have successfully guilted & bilked into sending a donation. The real issue becomes, what happens to the donation? As a “religious” organization, STIS is exempt from requirements to provide information about its finances. The best evidence I can find leaves me with the impression that it is a corporation which sucks money from sympathetic people by sending huge packets of very cheaply made stuff, tells stories that imply circumstances which are questionable, and reaps a reward of private donations. It is the reverse of bribing Native Americans with tawdry beads and other such chintzy stuff. If this one entity is using a largely false narrative in an effort to extract money from people which partially, or largely, fills the pockets of the greedy, blogs like this are just part of attempts by responsible people to stop such shenanigans being perpetrated in the present day. I also feel SJIS is guilty of gross cultural misappropriation. Furthermore, and finally, the history of the Jesuit order is a mixed bag. Helping out indigenous peoples around the world, versus using those peoples as tools to an end which does not serve the furtherance of legitimate needs and wishes of indigenous peoples themselves.
Mitákuye Oyás’iŋ
i pretty much agree with spca puts stuff out there and they do not have a shelter it is difficult to donate gave to wounded warriors and now i get at least 2 a week asking for money what happened with the embezzlement case with roxane?
St. Joseph’s is helping no one but themselves to the money. They are using Native children’s images and labor to guilt other white people into giving them donations. If white people want to help Native People then give money directly to the tribe or leave land or cash to them in your will. I am sure they would be happy to take it. Native people do not need a bunch of white Christian Missionaries doling out money to them and deciding what is good for their children. St. Joseph’s is not a Native American organization caring for Native people. They are white people robbing Native Americans once again. And by the way, I am Native. I have had my land taken and my tribe decimated in King Philip’s War. The only thing a white person can do for me is give me all my stuff back.
My very large packet arrived with the following “gifts”. THREE different note pads, 2 bookmarks, a pocket calendar, a wall calendar, TWO paper Christmas ornaments, a personalized handwritten (but copied) letter from “Richard” about his school and his interests (I guess to pull at my heartstrings), THREE lovely Christmas cards with matching envelopes (made in China), ONE ball point pen, TWO Christmas dreamcatchers (made in China) along with a card printed with the “Legend of the Dreamcatcher”, FIFTEEN gift card stickers, THIRTYSIX address stickers, FORTYTHREE Christmas stickers, a “Certificate of Appreciation” with my name embossed (suitable for framing), a wish list from TEN Lakota children, SIX Gift Tickets with amounts and gifts listed and finally a self-addressed envelope. UNBELIEVABLE!!! They sent at least $10 worth of stuff to solicit a donation. NO THANKS! I sending a request to delete my name. I have NEVER donated to them and will not now.
Thank you for your heads up. You put into words what was in my subconscious which caused me to get onto the internet to look up this organization.
I received the same a few days ago,I was thinking about donating and my husband stopped me. I felt so guilty,thanks for posting! Feel better now:))
In stead of sending money, why not send the real deal as in: coats, hats , warm clothing, toys, etc.
agree
Most likely this is the work of some agency that “offered to help St Joseph’s” – and will take a large percentage of donation for their work. If the charity is legitimate it is very sad that they will probably never see more than pennies on the dollar after the agency is paid and the cost of the freebies is covered. But really it’s a catch 22 for charities – how to get your message out without using these agencies.
We received our latest one yesterday (marked ‘Help’ on the outside). We have gotten quite a few dream catchers and don’t need anymore. Just out of curiousity, I looked on the back of the dream catcher package, hoping to see made by the Lakota children or maybe even someone with Indian heritage and what did I find,
‘MADE IN CHINA’! No more donations for this charity from this household. We will continue to pray for the children.
I find it interesting that I came upon this article today. This afternoon’s mail brought me a large white envelope with HELP written in large red printing on one side. My first thought was someone needing some kind if help The other side had PLEASE in the same large letters,then I saw the return address. Last year at Christmas time, I did receive a packet from the school. It contained the Dream Catcher, calendar, note pads with a candy cane pen. It also had pictures of children,who said what they would like for Christmas. The same “child like printing”was next to each of the children. I’ve never seen printing that all looked the same from different kids. But I thought oh well,they were cute kids,and one little girl asked for books. I must have been in a giving mood,I never donate to anything. So I sent my donation. A few months went by,and I started receiving the envelopes with all the goodies. I knew I couldn’t keep opening them if I wasn’t going to donate. I wrote a nice letter saying thank you,but I couldn’t accept any more “gift’s”. I also asked how the little girl liked her books that I sent money to go towards her Christmas wishes. I never got a reply. I continued to receive smaller envelopes, which I wrote another note,saying to take me if the list. Well today I opened the large white one,with the same type of gifts I had received before. What I found peculiar was the sort of Christmas gifts the children were requesting. Kids these days play video games,games on their phones etc. Not to many are requesting crafts sets, building blocks,joke books and so on. Im sure that there some that possibly do,so I could be wrong. I don’t think these kids could afford or expect these things,but Im sure they know about them,and possibly want something they probably won’t receive. They are probably grateful for what ever they get. I guess what Im try to to say is,why do they keep sending things when I told them to stop. Im sure it must cost them on the packageing,shipping,and it could be they are paying some one to do all of this. If the School needs money,Im sure they could save some if they quit sending all of this stuff. Im not a penny pincher,but I can’t afford to keep donating. I must say I liked the Dream Catcher,but I don’t need more than one. I wish the school and the children the best,and hope they have a good future.
Karen, I received the very same thing today. I received the red package J.L.S was talking about too. I gave money to Paralyzed Veterans in March and right after that, I have been bombarded with more charities. I have gotten them from St Joseph for years probably. I am one of the ones who feel guilty if I don’t send money. They’re usually accompanied with a letter from a child. I never had kids so it does tug on my heartstrings. I have many dream catchers from them. Also got a letter from Salesians Missions today, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center and one from Christian Appalachian Project. I haven’t got one from the last one before. Last week I got one with 3 or 4 nickels on it. I sent that back with no money except the nickels. The one from Christian Appalachian Project had a check in it for 1.90. It said I could cash it or if I send it back to enclose more money. I just can’t keep up with all these different charities I am getting. Tonight I was googling what charities were real and which were not. I am glad I found this page. I’m just going to send them back with no money and tell them to take my name off their list Thank you for giving me the “kick” to do it. Also got one from American Bible Society, never got that before. It says they send Bibles to the troops. My husband said when he was in the army during Viet Nam, each person got one. So I’m not doing that either. I feel sorry for all the children but I can’t give to everyone.
I would note one thing you shouldn’t miss out on contemplating. Should Native Peoples on this continent be celebrating Christmas and wanting Christmas presents? Christmas was brought to them by the same people who took their lands and culture and language from them. Early Christian Spanish conquistadors (think about that word) would tell natives that they could either accept Jesus Christ as their lord and savior, or die. It seemed not to matter that the natives didn’t speak Spanish, and the Spaniards didn’t speak the native dialect. Just my two cents’ worth and opinion, that Christianity cannot be proved to have done good for peoples who’ve been conquered by invading Europeans; not just in the Americas, but throughout the world. The promise that you’ll end up in a foreign concept of afterlife in heaven doesn’t buy food or other essentials in the capitalist Christian the land of the living. I wasn’t there at the time, so I don’t know if he really said this, but the words remain pertinent nonetheless:
“They made us many promises, more than I can remember. But they kept but one–They promised to take our land . . . . and they took it.”
Mahpiya Luta, Oglala Lakota
I sent a donation, using my credit card and received a call from a nice sounding lady at St. Joseph’s (noted on my caller ID) telling me that my card was declined. I was then sked for my card number and said I don’t give that over the phone. The lady said that she would send me a letter. I received the letter, called my credit card company, who had no knowledge of why the card was declined .
I misplaced The Lakota school’s address and lo and behold , when I looked it up on line, I read most of the unfavorable comments. So no donation and I’ll pray for them.
Hi Willene,Im glad I gave you a “kick”. Your comment was great,it’s exactly what alot of other people are feeling. I used to donate to the disabled vets,I still have plenty of assorted cards,and that was about 15 years ago. I thought I was a Srooge for making my post,but not any more! Maybe we should go visit the school! Thanks for your post.
When you contemplate giving to organization in the United State which purport to exist to help disabled veterans ( I AM one, lost my right eye in Vietnam), ask yourself, “Hey, wait a minute, isn’t there a Veterans Administration in this country?”
wow! This is frustrating. I want to help the Native Americans but where do you find one that is truthful and really helps them? They have the right to have their own reliaion I’m a Christian and if they wanted to be one like me fine but don’t force them when they are young and need lots of help..forcing them to become a catholic is evil…they have done enough of their own sins and damaged so many children.
Anyone who knows a good place to donate please let me know
hollandgabbie@gmail.com
Saint Jude Hospital in Memphis, Tennessee. They are a children’s cancer hospital and are truly helping these children & their families never charging them a dime & letting the parents stay & eat for free during the time their child is in the hospital. I am going on a tour of the Hospital April 22nd as that is where my heart is and I will see it with my own eyes. I always donate to St. Jude Hospital.
Shiners children hospital is another superb charity! I support both. Neither send gifts that I know of.
BOTH of those entities have a much too large advertising budget to get any of my money, and frankly, I find some of the television advertising downright creepy.
We received a packet from this ‘charity’ in yesterday’s mail. This one touched close to my heart because it said the donations would go for adopting dogs to put in each house so the children would have the animals for support and safety. They even included a cute pair of paw-print covered socks. NOPE. Not so easily fooled. Our house is filled with free stuff intended to elicit donations to various ‘charities.’ I cannot imagine that these mailings generate that much income. I consider mailings like this to indicate that the ‘charity’ has more than enough money since they can afford to send all this crap to a gazillion people in hopes of getting some old lady to send them a check for $15. I despise this method of fundraising and, for the most part, the ‘charities’ that employ such tactics. Best rule of thumb…give to a charity that is in your town, where you know the people working there, and you can actually see the good they do. And volunteer with a charity as well. Give time and money, but only where you actually see and know the work is needed.
They wouldn’t send them out if they didn’t.
found this blog on St Joe’s while googling Red Cloud Indian School. it came up in results because at some point a commenter wrote that “from now on I will contribute to Red Cloud… they never solicit…”
i cant find the exact comment to reply to so will just make a new comment here. first off, St Joe has been rather shameless for decades, they were one i knew not to trust years & years ago. 2nd, as to Red Cloud (another Catholic based boarding school) – maybe they did not used to do these kind of direct guilt mailers, but that has changed. i just received a blatant guilt packet today, filled with sorrowful tales of neglected brown children, “we’re the best chance these kids have” White Saviour statements, glossy postcard of smiling schoolkids next to a school bus, oversized return envelope covered in pointless small cent postage (10 stamps! why not use one regular stamp? designed to look like they are scraping for postage this way) and a self published booklet “Whispers of the Lakota” thoughts & poems allegedly written by some of their students.
how much of every fundraising dollar does Red Cloud organization use for additional fundraising? likely similar to St Joes.
better to support Native based assistance teams directly, several are named throughout the replies
Nice cheap Chinese-made imitation dreamcatcher… guess i could tear the peacock feather off I guess I could use the note pad. No f’s given to these creeps.
Just received my elaborate package today. To include my certificate of appreciation. A letter of thanks for my donation last Christmas that I never did. This is ridiculous practices.
Got mine today also…checkedit out. Going to stick to donating my hard earned money to Vet’s and animals. Merry Christmas all. God bless.
I just got my free gifts too and sad to see they are still doing this in 2018!
I too received my packet. I have learned over the years to research everything that I receive especially the ones that I have never heard of. Anymore, my thought is that I didn’t ask for this packet so I am not going to feel guilty about using it without a donation. I too have certain charities that I donate to every year. You just can’t donate to everyone that comes along or you will go broke. Just think how much more money they would have if they didn’t send out tremendous amounts of the packets. It does cost to do this. Just saying.
Well…here I am. Just received a packet from St Josephs Indian school last week. Was flabbergasted at all the items inside. Definitely the guilt trip to donate. Had to wait for my paycheck in order to donate. So, I wrote out a check and my little voice inside told me to check it out on the internet. Lots of SPAM links leading to them. OK, thanks for waking me up.
Is this not one of the schools that used to abuse Native American children, while forcibly denying them heir heritage?
Sorry for yelling, but DON’T PUT THAT IN THE PAST TENSE. What went on in the past is almost certainly still happening there today, whether at the same frequency or not. Though I was never “molested,” I was only physically hit by adults other than my parents, three times in my life: twice by a catholic priest and once by a catholic nun. I had had the intellectual temerity to ask a priest “If god is a man, and Jesus is a man, what sex is the holy ghost, and is there a ‘Mrs God.'” Result: SMACK on the face, and no answer given. I asked another priest how the world could get populated from only the children of Adam and Eve. As an adult, I’ve learnt that the issue of incest in the old testament is a highly complex and hypocritical one, but the question, nonetheless earned me another hard smack on the face, from a different priest. i don’t recall what pissed off the nun, but she thwapped me with a ruler or some such object. I intentionally opt not to capitalize nouns which I do not feel are deserving of such special treatment.
Thanks. I am alarmed at all the “gifts” they send unsolicited, and my hunch that we pay for these gifts (by subtracting the cost from our donations) is true. There are other charities that help the Lakota, who can really use the help. Max
I have just received my 3rd elaborate guilt envelope from this organization and I do feel guilty but, I know what the merchandising is about.
I want them to know that I cannot ever send another penny because they are using the funds for mailing to great excess … Not good for my thinking.
I’ve called to tell them to stop.
I have received a third mailing from this fraudulent & disgusting – & downright immoral – organization, despite previous letter telling them that I would never support them, am very much opposed to them, & requesting to be removed from their mailing list.
The whole history of these schools, in both the US & (my native country) Canada is appalling & they have done great damage to native people. Their continued existence is unacceptable. I have 4 grandchildren who are Native Americans & happy that they are knowledgeable & proud of their roots.
I would contribute to any group or organization working to force closure of St. Joseph’s School. If anyone knows about such a group, please post the info or Email me.
I have been receiving mailing for years, i usully donate small amout once a year or so. I really cant agree or disagree with comments, i know there school do exists and there children is there and what ever schoold useva guilt mailing techniques or other tricks, well that is schoold doing, children still has needs and wishes. I will probobly still send few dollars. But for folk who want to be sure that they money goes 100 % to children’s use – go to DonorsChoose.org , there is unique opportunity donate to specific school for specific progect. Really neat.
So, I got the Christmas “Junk” too. Too bad I can’t point, click and delete. I read most of these posts and now I’m not sending the “needed” items they ask to receive on the ST. Joseph’s site. I’m going with my gut because there is too much negative feed here about this place. I’m going to take what I purchased and donate to a local school or organization in my area to make sure my donation is put to good use.
I received the package from ST.J’S. I was really moved by the information and little “gifts.” I was shocked to read some of these comments. Doesn’t anyone put their “faith” into anyone or anything anymore? I did not even think of questioning the school’s reputation. I have some Indian heritage. I am hesitant to give to Charities because of people “warning” you about corruption. These charities may not be perfect, but , they are willing to work to help children who are in bad situations have a better life. I am a retired nurse of 30 years, 16 years working in substance abuse and mental health. I, in no way, want to support any institution or school who have been accused of abuse or neglect. I guess you have to go with your conscience in making a decision to support any charity. LOVE AND PEACE EVERYONE!
After receiving two of these packets within 10 days I wrote out a check and then decided to read about this “charity” on the Internet. After reading all your comments I went out to the mailbox and got the check and tore it up. If we could donate to the Indian children we would but this isn’t a charity to help the ones who need the help. Thanks for all your thoughts!!!
I received all this stuff recently and thought “what the heck!”. Could not believe how much was in the envelope. What a waste! So….decided to research. So disappointed! As much as I’d like to be helping kids, I will not be sending any money to St Joseph’s Indian School.
The purpose of Indian boarding schools was to prevent children
from using their native language. They were required to speak
only English. They were forbidden to wear Indian jewellry and
boys had to cut their long hair. They were indoctrinated in Christian
dogma and were even told their tribes were savages. I know this
was true of the Michigan Chippewa, Ojibway boarding school.
\
You are misinformed as to the children being required to speak English. cut their hair, etc. That ended many years ago. However after reading these comments, I probably would not send a donation. It is true the Lakota Sioux reservation is probably the poorest in this country. But if you want to help the children, do some research and donate directly to the tribal council and specify that you want your donation to go to assist children.
And the Catholic charities organization based in WI runs this one and it’s fund raising to the tune of 51 million dollars. Seems to me instead of bashing the school itself, start bashing the Catholic Church for using these kids and their situations to raise money… Wonder where all that ‘excess’ money goes?? Wonder no more.
Colleen Kelly, really? The Catholic Church is the largest charitable organization in the world. They should be applauded not condemned!!
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Catholic_Church_sexual_abuse_cases
Why should they be applauded ? They have done enough damaged to children from their own churches and got away with it and sent to another church do the same again.
Sorry Lisa, I must agree with you but explain one thing. True Catholic Church is largest charitable organization in the world, it is just not sharing the money. Where do you think the pensions, houses, property purchases come from? Catholic Church world wide is one big business. Always has been and still is. Tax Free no less.
Sure if you applaud pedophiles and those who hide them .Most never get punished really they just go on sabbaticals…I want all monies to go to the children but I would rather see a few bucks going for other things as opposed to children being raped.. that is emotional murder as most people turn to drugs, self harm or suicide rape in any form should be dealt with by capital punishment !
Despite what the writer below says about cutting hair, ALL photos of boys in my enormous envelope had VERY short hair. if it is their choice, fine, but if not, SHAME. As boy I was forced to wear a crewcut, and i still feel traumatized by it. Having my head held firmly while the clippers did their work was always traumatic.
The tactics of sending all this junk (dream catcher, note pads, return address labels, birthday, sympathy, and Xmas cards, calendars, and the spill “Dreams of Hope for the Children”) can be alluring and cause one to feel guilt ridden receiving all this unsolicited stuff. I, myself was going to contribute, however, I always research charitable organizations to see what percentage of their receipts go to their intended purpose, when established, and how long, reviews, etc. Became suspicious when this charity did not respond to the very benign BBB gifts/org. Researched further, and there was nothing positive. I give each year to 5 – 6 charities of my choosing, and of course the mail lists are sold, traded, or provided, that is the nature of the beasts, but to send all this stuff is costly, obscene, and raises all kinds of red flags. IGNORE, keep what you can use without any guilt, and discard the rest.
I too received a packet, dream catcher,cards etc. I sent a $15.00 check, which was alot for me,as I live on social security. I got a phone call from them a month later,thanking me & asking if I could send money every month,I told them I live on a fixed income. I couldn’t believe when she said , well you live in Hawaii. I told her I live in a 116 year old coffee shack, & she hung up on me. Never again! Aloha Gerry
My Mom donated to St. Joe’s for at least 20 years. She is now deceased, but I collect the mail and pay the bills. Today, she (I) received the whole package of goodies, to include a dreamcatcher, notepad, labels, pen, etc. I’m naturally leery of charities. I’ll do more research, but thank you all for the eye openers.
it took me THREE YEARS after my mother died to finally get the last “charity” preying on her tenderheartedness, to stop sending mail. I had to resort to calling such entities on the phone and telling them the horrid story of how she died from being mistreated in a nursing home.
I received a Christmas packet from this organization addressed to deceased dad. My mother not wanting to dispose of it, because it was my dads birthday insisted that I donate in his name. What a joke! It is guilt donations.
They want to help the Native American people they say but 95% of employees are white folks. They come from out east where they know nothing about Lakota people and their culture or language. How can a white person teach our young people their culture and language?
Actually 97 percent are white ppl that work there. The executive makes 275,000 a year for a salary off your peoples donations. They mix native American culture with Catholicism to make themselves look good for the public. In reality the place is a controlled environment much like detention centers across America.
On top of that the biggest question of all is why do we still have boarding schools for Indians??? Why don’t we have boarding schools for blacks, Latinos, Mexicans, white people, and other controlled facilities across America? Don’t they need just as much help as Native Americans across this beloved Country? St. Joes is a cash cow and you ppl are supporting them without doing your homework and educating yourselves. Please in name of the true God named Jesus do not support these crooks and do your research.
Anonymous….why DON’T we have boarding schools for blacks, latinos and even whites? The Foster Care system is a freaking joke! It’s all about extra money on the first of the month just by simply taking a kid into your house. Where else are you going to put disadvantaged native American children in times of need? You gonna take them in? I see that this school is doing nothing illegal. They send out marketing. Marketing is a white mans concept and they use it to their advantage. So what. Isn’t that capitalism at its best? They use the money to take care of these kids. No kid is without food, shelter, education etc..etc..etc…So what’s everone railing about?? Their means in which they do it?? Do you feel angry over the ‘white guilt’ they’re using and feel like you need to send them money to get over it? Don’t. You don’t have to do anything. Keep the stuff…it’s legal.
Regardless of the status of St.Joseph’s, your statement about boarding schools for blacks, latinos, Mexicans, white, is so ludicrous it makes me laugh. Do you not know history and what was done to the Native Americans?
I think you’re missing the mark here. There are boarding schools of various types, from those which exist to house and manage the “problems” society imagines it has, and for wealthy parents to send their children to in order to give them discipline and education the parents are unwilling or unable to provide at home. Further, your use of “you people” is ill founded. The people blogging here are either wise to the crookedness of SJIS, or came here to find out. And then, too, god and Jesus have nothing to do with any of this; IMHO.
You mean like Catholic indoctrination? Look… do some research on ALL so called charities, even the big ones that come to business’s with all their presentations and slide shows and envelopes and ways to auto withdraw from your checking and savings acct on a monthly basis (you ALL know who I’m talking about **United Way – cough/cough** and see how much goes out for ‘administrative expense and salaries’, including travel, hotel/motel and all those conventions. Charity doesn’t appear to be real charity anymore…it’s more ‘job creation’.
wantred to post this now, since this scam of a charity is still functioning. gonna copy paste what i put on yelp
this place is a huge scam. they do not care one bit about the money you send. my mother in law used to send these people money until we got ahold of her finances. i told them to stop sending me their ridculous info after seeing the expose about their kickbacks from the company that makes the crap they send. they told me they will keep me in their system for 3 months, even though i will not send them a dime. they know this and will not even try to stop this stuff from coming to me. if they do, they do not get their kickback
a complete joke of a charity
edit 12/8/15: now they sold my info to another scam of a charity and they are sending me stuff!!! like i said, they care nothing about the school or kids, only the kickbacks for the crap they send.
Maybe it is wisest to NEVER respond to them, unless you want to get more junkmail in your mail box. I made the mistake of letting a local grocery store chain send me their weekly flier, and they _obviously_ sold my contact information to the world. I have had more unsolicited mail in the last six months than I got in the previous four years. I doubt anyone is able to successfully “return to sender” their big envelopes, because they are not doubt certain to use an inexpensive class of mail which cannot be returned, the USPS just puts it in the trash; which is probably what anyone reading this should do with an envelope they receive from SJIS .
I received a packet today from St Joseph’s Indian School. It contains a dreamcatcher, two writing tablets, a calendar, address labels and Christmas cards. I put aside the donation envelope and decided to look online about the school. I’ve been stupid enough to give $25 a year to St Joseph’s for the past 4 years now. I also gave money to Boy’s Town and two charities that claim to help animals every year. This year I was hesitant to donate because I lost my job and am taking care of an elderly relative. I fully agree with the author / writer who says that these groups try to make you feel guilty by sending you items in the mail. The writer (Margaret?) who said the dreamcatchers make impressive earrings gave me a chuckle and I thank her for that. Sadly, to say, I will be not be donating any money to anyone in the near future… well, at least not until I can get a job. Thank you to many of you for the valuable information posted here.
I to fell for it, after reading all the blogs , I open the envelope pulled out the money being sent and am now researching the “tribal Government” in which to send the money to. This way I know the “kids” will receive it
Debra l. , Texas
Bea… and for your $25 a year you got calendars, stickers, return address labels, cards and envelopes for all occasions, appointment books with pens, dreamcatchers and key chains…and much..much..more all while keeping a roof over the head of a native American child, keeping food on their tables and books and educations in their hands… what ARE you complaining about?. If they made you feel ‘guilty’…boohoo. Regardless of the ways and means that some of these charities go about getting donations… as long as the donations go to whom they intend to help, then what’s the harm. Charity isn’t charity anymore in the sense people think it is… it’s job creation, tax exemptions and profit…it’s the American way. But if some good comes out of it for others..then what harm is done. If EVERYONE were to stop sending money to this school entirely… what then will be accomplished?? A point? The principle of it? Tell that to the kids.
You need to stop commenting now. I’m going to delete any further comments that you post.
You are asking questions that have already been answered elsewhere, and you are either missing or ignoring people’s legitimate complaints and responding to straw-men which are not what people are actually concerned about.
You’ve made your points. I disagree with many of them, but I frankly don’t have the time or energy right now to rebut them point-by-point, especially since, as I said, they’ve already been addressed elsewhere here. But I’m not going to let you keep posting the same points over and over. So just stop, please. That way, you won’t waste your time posting comments I’m just going to delete, and I won’t have to waste my time deleting them.
Sure if you applaud pedophiles and those who hide them .Most never get punished really they just go on sabbaticals…I want all monies to go to the children but I would rather see a few bucks going for other things as opposed to children being raped.. that is emotional murder as most people turn to drugs, self harm or suicide rape in any form should be dealt with by capital punishment !
This multi-million-dollar-a-year charity only vaguely benefits fewer than 100 children, only some of whom are Native American. And by “vaguely,” I mean the children are no better off than kids in a low-income public school except that they are force-fed Catholicism. This is purely a fund-raising mill. No reputable charity monitoring organization gives them a decent rating. Wake up.
My “HELP PACKET” came September 15, 2015, with lots of stuff in it that I do not want OR need. The letter was entitled, “Could You be the Dreamcatcher?” The sheer VOLUME of stuff in the packet made me wonder: WHO pays the postage? Who gets this stuff printed up? Was it done for free? How much did this mass mailing COST THE KIDS?!!??
I noticed that it’s run by the SCJ priests : Priests of the Sacred Heart. I know that the order is honest, but why engage in all this mass marketing?
Their 2018-2019 Report states that 63.35% of students identify as catholic; 17.19% as either baptist, lutheran, UCC, christian or none; 10.41% as episcopal; and only 9.05% identify as Native American religion. The percentages do add up to 100. For what it’s worth . . . .
You may be thinking of the Sacred Heart nuns, a teaching order also founded in France, but over 100 years earlier than this bunch, which are a whole different species. The Priests of the Sacred Heart seem devoted to fund-raising, as a quick Google search and moderate amount of reading will tell you. Their main “mission” is apparently the St. Joseph’s Indian School. How convenient!
Received the packet! Read the blogs! Will not contribute! Fully agree that Native Americans have been and are still being abused beyond any imposition that human ignomy can impose or that any human being should be forced to tolerate. Didn’t realize so many people hated the One who died to banish hatred from the world of the living.
The most recent volley from St. Joseph’s has what is supposed to look like, “Help” scrawled on it in red sharpie, by a child’s hand. Like everything else though, it’s part of the scam, and machine-printed on all the envelopes.
While St. Joseph’s is not one of the residential schools that’s been shut down for violent abuse of the children, the fact remains St. Joseph’s is part of the cultural genocide against Natives. The residential schools were instituted to destroy the Indigenous culture. If you take a child away from their home and culture, and make sure they forget their language and culture, eventually you will have adults who are just brown-skinned Americans. The motto was “Kill the Indian, Save the Man.”
AFAIK, St. Joseph’s has not been charged with physical abuse of the kids, but taking their culture away, making them strangers to their families and communities, is egregious psychological and emotional abuse.
St. Joseph’s and their marketing company are exploiting the desire of non-Natives to make some kind of reparations for what their ancestors did. But if you give to St. Joseph’s you are harming Indigenous cultural survival. If you want to help financially, it’s going to take more time and research than just responding to some junk mail. I suggest learning more about Native communities and their needs, and Native-run schools and projects. Look to see if the Native people use their real names, check them out. Sending money to white people does not help Indians.
After the CNN article came out, the St. Joseph’s representative LIED to Indian Country Today and said they would do no more of these mailings. Well, I’ve got one sitting right here, that arrived last week, made in China dreamcatcher and all. They also claimed they would be adding all kinds of Lakota cultural programs. Sorry, non-Natives can’t teach Native kids about Native culture.
For more on the residential schools: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_Indian_boarding_schools
Thank you s o much for this posting!! I feel absolutely the same way!! I would like to help the Native
Americans w/their needs verses going to or sending money to a foreign country to help others outside the
United States!!! I will do my homework and hopefully will be able to hook up with a Native American that
can give me honest information as to how to help them!! I’m ashamed that all these actors and actresses
want to go outside the United State to help when our own Native Americans and Appalachian people
have such great needs!! Shame on no one for not coming forward to do so…and if they have …we certainly
never hear about them here in Indiana!!!!
Thank you!!!
“never hear about them in Indiana,”
And just think about where your state got its name; shameful, isn’t it?
best wishes to you, Indiana 😉
I was all set to donate and then I decided to do some research. I read many of the comments and felt the way many did. Why send all this stuff which cost lots of money. Money not being used for the children.
I am no more donating to this organization.
Thank you. These people make me sick. I received exactly the same mailing today. I believe it’s because my name (a distinctive one easy to trace for an address) was scraped from. Facebook discussion about SJIS into which I interjected a dose of truth. Their fundraising contractor is just that slick. I really wish they could be shut down.
Sadly I gave to St. Joseph’s before checking it out. I will not do so in the future. I will check on the site suggested to see which charities are better. We do support charities through our church, which have a very good rating of using the money wisely.
I have donated too Lacota Indian of South Dakota for sometime many years ago, I donated because of the fact that my adopted son was a combination of Apache, and Navaho that took place in Lawrence, Kansas. My ex-wife and I adopted him from a Topeka, Kansas State run agency. I would hope that it is not fraud, I would hate too find out that it is fraud, and I don`t think that it is fraud. The Indians have been abused by several government groups over the years. Please tell me I have not been duped!!!!
John –
The sad probable reality is that more money goes to paying the entity that put together the mechanism for collecting money, and the manufacturer(s) of the materials that come in the thick envelopes, than will be used for the actual benefit and proselytization of any native children. The company that makes the materials that come in the SJIS packets has a contract with SJIS to extract an exorbitant percentage of the “take” as compensation for preparing and sending out the mailings. Referring to it as “the take” is highly appropriate. I am not suggesting you should have any concerned about your son; merely that you ought not sent money to SJIS.
They got me, I sent $25.00 was ready to send cloths and other stuff so I’m very happy I’ve seen your site it makes me sad I thought I was helping some poor Indian kids then I find this out.
Thank You Marilyn
Well, I just got a nice orange dream catcher, 14 cards, notepads and enough return labels to keep me going for about a years worth of bills… Even though I pay online. I’m glad you have this blog I was wondering about the organization as well. Thanks for the heads up.
I received a packet with labels and cards .. like a dummy I didn’t check into it and sent them 35$ .. only to find out it is a scam . How can I get my money back ? I sent them a money order . I kept the receipt ..
I’m not really sure it’s a “scam.” I don’t think they outright lie in any of their promotional literature. I just think it’s not (by a long shot) the best place to donate money to.
As for getting it back, who knows, maybe you could contact them, tell them you changed your mind, and ask for your money back, but I suspect the time and effort that would be required to convince them to refund your money wouldn’t be worth it.
over everything I think it is really horrible that sjis sent out so much crap when all they could have done was send maybe 2 cards not a whole freaking care package… I have gone to this school for a couple of years and the money is used very wisely but they portray themselves as needy and we aren’t needy especially with all the money they have saved. if you have questions ask an alumni me at deavontaysmallbear@gmail.com
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I recently received the bulky package in the mail from SJIS and decided to investigate a little before making a donation. I’ve never received anything from them before and I’m not sure where they got my name but I suspect probably from some other charity I’ve donated to. I was alerted to the plight of eight year old ‘Emily High Elk’, who up until recently conveyed hopelessness in her dark brown eyes. Naturally, I would like to help every child in need but like most I only have so much to give and this organization unfortunately fails the audition. The splurgy mailer I received will not be a total loss in that it has alerted me to the squalid conditions that many Native Americans face that are genuinely worthy of our laborious efforts to improve. Many thanks to jik, Kara and all of you who have shared the results of your thorough research. I will continue to investigate further until I find a few others that are more to my liking. Now has anybody found a good use for a Dreamcatcher?
They make impressive earrings!!
EXTREMELY well thought out and written.
I personally made a trip to St.Josephs in I believe 2003 or 04. The trip was to attend a pow wow at the school. Father Steve was there at the time and my friend and I spent several hours with the children as we toured the property who answered questions and never acted as tho there was a problem. My fiend has been connected to the school for years and if there had ever been a problem she would have said something to me.
I was in a children’s home in 1948 to 1951. I was 8 years old when me and my siblings were all placed by the state of Ohio. It was good and bad.As far as I know there was no abuse sexual or other wise. I suppose it helped as mom divorced dad and that stopped the beating’s. My brother ran away at 12 after a few months as did my 14 year old sister.Neither was ever brought back. It helped that it was so close to the Ohio River and where mom and my grandparents lived.The two babies we taken by an older sister within a year.Me I stayed for awhile alone . That was the bad part.I went to school and for the first time in my life I was taught to use a tooth brush and daily showers. It wasn’t that mom didn’t try hard it was the circumstance. I have been back for reunions and met up with tids who were there and our dorm parents.
I feel so sad about St.Josephs I wish they had of collected their own money. Of course I won’t send any money.I receive so many request for money and St.Joseph’s was close to my heart. God bless all of the children there or any other facility being cared for by others. Betty
Betty –
Don’t miss the fact here, that this is far far less about the school itself, than about the funding apparatus used to pry money from the hands of goodhearted people who shed tears when looking over the gift packets they receive unsolicited in the mail.
I have received enough return address labels to last me the rest of my life, I am now a healthy 83 year old. Thank you for your information about St Joseph’s
Indian School. I am sorry to hear that they are not legitimate, but your information has saved me some money. Thanks. Reb
I have been donating to this charity for a few years now (hangs head in shame). I am now learning I have been duped. I’m not mad. I was lazy. I did spend some time tonight trying to make up for that by doing some research. Charity Navigator has the Native American Heritage Association listed with an excellent 4 out of 4 stars rating. They are not a school but do serve the Pine Ridge and Crow Creek reservations in South Dakota providing food and basic necessities.
I’ll keep the dream catchers anyway. I hang them on my Christmas tree. They will remind me to give wisely and do my research in future. No sense in filling up the landfills.
I would encourage anyone who is interested in helping the native people of South Dakota to take a look at The Native American Heritage Association.
https://www.naha-inc.org/
If anyone (especially Native Americans) has other suggestions I would be glad to hear them.
Charity Navigator’s ratings are useless. The only organization whose ratings I trust is CharityWatch. If you read the information on their web site, you’ll see why.
CharityWatch gives the Native American Heritage Association a D rating. The only spend 47% of their funds on program expenses (CharityWatch expects a charity to spend 60% or more), and it costs them $44 to raise $100 (target is $35 or less). In short, I don’t think the Native American Heritage Association is a good choice for your support.
Consider instead the American Indian College Fund, which gets an A- grade from CharityWatch, Futures for Children (B+), American Indian Youth Running Strong /Christian Relief Services Charities (B), Association of American Indian Affairs (B), or Native American Rights Fund (B). Once you get past the charities with A and B ratings, all the others in this category are D, F, or unrated because they refused to provide CharityWatch with sufficiently detailed information for them to be able to produce a rating (a bad sign!).
Great info thank you! Charity Navigator actually provides beneficial info on nonprofits. The problem is churches and schools are exempt from reporting.
It’s a loophole that needs to be re-examined. Irrespective I Appreciate your findings since
I was conflicted about the overwhelming package of goodies they sent. I collect all of the freebies and
give them to residential facilities assisting abused women to establish new lives. The notepads, pens, stickers and items without our name are appreciated.
Many survivors own minimal personal
Items. By giving these to them along with other personal items means more to me than donating to a
shady organization. It’s a great way to deal with feelings of guilt while making someone’s day!
Beany –
I’ve read all of the blog above your post, and feel I can now stop reading. I didn’t need to be convinced not to donate to SJIS, I was hoping to find good information about a proper alternative, and you’ve furnished it. THANKS!
Hmmm…Just so happens I received a “Dream Catcher” package from them in todays Mail…
I wanted to see if they were Made By the Children or Not…???
Damn…sure found a Lot of Negatives…
The first thing that they don’t understand about their 501 (c)3 status is,
that if the Donor receives anything from them such as a “Dream Catcher”
books/labels/name Labels etc…even if it is called a GIFT…
Then the Donation “IS NOT TAX DEDUCTABLE” !!!!!
AS I am Board Member on a few 501(c)3’s…(Non Paid)
Their acknowledgement of that Donation must state the fact
that the Donor Received Nothing in return for their Donation…(IRS Rules)
You also have to realize that Only a Judges Court Order can Remove
the Children from their Families…and place them in this “Orphanage” !!!!
(Which is really what ST Joseph’s Indian School really is…)
The thought that comes to mind about Child Abuse is that, a
(Now Former) PA Judge that is now doing Hard Time for a Kick Back scheme
where he would sentence young kids to a Juvenile Facility for years…
(most were for Nothing charges…) Wrecked many a young Childs Life,
and tore Families apart…(He received Monetary Kick Backs for each Child
he sentence to that Facility…Modern Day Slavery !!!!
As a Victim of the Orphanage System from age 8…brother age 6…
(Got caught stealing Food…)
Be forewarned that there is Sexual Abuse going on 99% of the Time
in any and all Juvenile Facilities(under age 18) besides the Physical abuse…
(All of the Boys Supervisors are Members of MBLA (Man Boy Love Association)
and have been for over 50 years…)
These are just BIG Money Makers and are protected…
The KIDS count for Nothing…
(Wonder how many have Died and have gone Unreported…)
(Isolated and away from the Publics Etc…)
Thank you for posting your Article…
This is not correct. The free gifts are sent to the recipient before they donate any money, and the recipient gets to keep the gifts even if they don’t send any money, so they are not considered a quid pro quo by IRS regulations, and the full amount of any donation made by the recipient is tax-deductible.
This is also inaccurate. St. Joseph’s is not an orphanage, and many of the students there are enrolled voluntarily by their parents, without the involvement of the courts.
I’ve seen no evidence that there is any sort of kickback scheme involved in placing children at St. Joseph’s. Therefore, as reprehensible as what happened in Pennsylvania is, it has nothing to do with St. Joseph’s, and it’s entirely inappropriate to suggest otherwise.
This, too, is an entirely baseless accusation without any evidence, at least when it comes to St. Joseph’s. While it is true that St. Joseph’s has been rocked by child abuse allegations in the past, there is no evidence that such abuse continues, and I personally doubt that it does, at least not “99% of the Time” (whatever that means).
This is just stupid, crazy talk.
jik –
Thank you VERY much for your pensive responses to specifics of the above post, which I was feeling disturbed by. I did not feel myself able to take it all seriously, and now I can log out and enjoy my afternoon.
I should have noted, too, that the accusation of 50 year long membership in an organization that is 42 years old is, well, mathematically problematic! Looked it up and found that NAMBLA (the orginal poster missed two initials in the acronym) came into existence in December of 1978. Being a librarian with a PhD in history, and a healthy skepticism, it was a simple matter to seek the facts.
I encourage ALL readers of this blog to find the healthy skeptic in themselves, and consult it often.
What are the most recent rules re: when you receive the huge UNSOLICITED packed envelopes full of guilt labels, cards, etc and requests for donations? If the person who received them opens them, are they then obligated to pay in any way shape or form like it once was! Do we still have to contact the sender to CANCEL, or we get billed unless we return something WE NEVER WANTED OR ORDERED IN THE FIRST PLACE!!! I am so SICK AND TIRED OF ALL THE CRAP MAIL I get! It’s absolutely RIDICULOUS! It’s a HUGE WASTE OF MONEY that could actually be utilised in a much more helpful manner, (wow, what a concept) and it’s a gigantic waste of paper & of our beautiful trees! Not to mention IT’S EXTREMELY IRRITATING AND EXCEEDINGLY OBNOXIOUS!!! To everyone out there that mails this crap to us; STOP IT!!! WE DO NOT WANT YOUR JUNK MAIL!!
I am not sure what you mean by, “are they then obligated to pay in any way shape or form like it once was?” There has never been a time when you were in any way obligated to pay for something that someone sent to you unsolicited in the mail, at least not since the federal law about unsolicited goods sent through the mail was passed in 1970.
Anybody who sends you something unsolicited and then sends you a “bill” for it is scamming you. That is, and has always been true. Throw away the bill and forget about it.