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		Toys for Tots struggling this year due to embezzlement (chicagotribune.com)		53
		More: Sad, Toys for Tots, embezzlement, Christmas presents

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Sanduskyed In The Shower

2011-12-20 12:40:58 PM

There's a reason I don't give to charities where the CEO makes an insane amount of money. Whats the point of a charity where the guy in charge makes more than half a million a year?

what_now

2011-12-20 12:52:53 PM

Sanduskyed In The Shower: There's a reason I don't give to charities where the CEO makes an insane amount of money. Whats the point of a charity where the guy in charge makes more than half a million a year?

Toys for Tots is run by the Marines. The "CEO" makes $400,000 and does a bunch of other shiat besides run that charity.

stpauler

2011-12-20 02:17:26 PM

Bridgeview police have been investigating the alleged embezzlement of $25,000 from the group by a volunteer. No charges have been filed.
Why not?

Also:
The stated goal is to "deliver, through a new toy at Christmas, a message of hope to less fortunate youngsters that will assist them in becoming responsible, productive, patriotic citizens."

I'm totally cool with kids wanting toys. Kids should have toys. (BOLDED and STRESSED). That said, I don't see how it makes them responsible, productive or patriotic. Can't we just say "it makes them happy"?

beerfrog3

2011-12-20 04:05:58 PM

suffer the children

spentmiles

2011-12-20 04:06:44 PM

For reasons out of my control, I always find myself broke around the holidays. I battle severe depression caused by gambling addiction and alcohol. I have three kids that I don't get to see as often as I'd like, so I always try to make Christmas a big production. Toys for Tots is the worst program for getting toys for children in need. It's just about impossible for a private citizen to get on their donation list. Being a private charity, they get to pick to whom they give the toys. They always choose the greatest PR opportunity -- Children's Hospitals, Orphanages, Burn Units, etc etc etc. Last year I was able to get one toy for each child from them, which is just about nothing. I will not be accepting anything from them this year, and I hope that you all do not donate either.

Franco

2011-12-20 04:09:51 PM

spentmiles: For reasons out of my control, I always find myself broke around the holidays. I battle severe depression caused by gambling addiction and alcohol. I have three kids that I don't get to see as often as I'd like, so I always try to make Christmas a big production. Toys for Tots is the worst program for getting toys for children in need. It's just about impossible for a private citizen to get on their donation list. Being a private charity, they get to pick to whom they give the toys. They always choose the greatest PR opportunity -- Children's Hospitals, Orphanages, Burn Units, etc etc etc. Last year I was able to get one toy for each child from them, which is just about nothing. I will not be accepting anything from them this year, and I hope that you all do not donate either.

Well. Shat. I guess beggars can be choosers.

DrippinBalls

2011-12-20 04:11:37 PM

Toys for Tots can go pound sand in their asses. Who, in their right mind actually believe somebody isn't going to skim off the top? Most people today are liars and dishonest, and practice fraud. That's the way it goes.Give a toy DIRECTLY to some kids. F**k the thieves.

niteowl9

2011-12-20 04:16:43 PM

The tag should be Hero, not Sad, because of all the people who are stepping up to make up for the embezzler. With a BIG Hero tag to the guy who anonymously donated $25K.

And spentmiles, I hear the tiniest violin playing.....

mithras_angel

2011-12-20 04:17:29 PM

stpauler: Bridgeview police have been investigating the alleged embezzlement of $25,000 from the group by a volunteer. No charges have been filed.
Why not?

Probably because they're still investigating? Just a thought... Cause real life isn't like the crime drama TV shows. It takes more than an hour to get everything sorted out so that when they charge the guy (assuming the Marines don't stomp him first), the charges won't be tossed out because of a crap investigation.

TV's Vinnie

2011-12-20 04:18:32 PM

Might it have something to do with the way R. Lee Ermey had a total brainfart on Live TV at a TfT event, started accusing Obama of being an evil Commie that's plotting to destroy America, and then later professed his undying love for Glenn Beck? (new window)

ritalinchild 54

2011-12-20 04:19:01 PM

THE WHOLE WORLD IS WATCHING! spentmiles!

please stop posting, you were funny for a bit but now you are just mean.

seriously, just stop.

carrion_luggage

2011-12-20 04:22:02 PM

On the other hand the Bucks for Bastards program is going strong.

HopScotchNSoda

2011-12-20 04:22:06 PM

I'm sorry about your poor experiences with TFT, Spentmiles. Each local chapter is largely independent. The Chicago one has a pretty good reputation; they also host a huge motorcycle up Western Avenue as their big promotional and toy-drive event each December. The down side is that the parade cuts the damn city in half. Thousands of motorcycles cut the city in half for an hour, shutting down nearly 15 miles of Western Avenue; the only ways across are the expressways.

Sanduskyed In The Shower, this was the Chicago chapter that was embezzled from, not the national organisation; they don't have a paid staff, It's just a bunch of bikers & their old ladies who volunteer their time.

Arkanaut

2011-12-20 04:30:17 PM

I have a much uglier word: MISAPPROPRIATION!

84Charlie

2011-12-20 04:35:31 PM

HopScotchNSoda: I'm sorry about your poor experiences with TFT, Spentmiles. Each local chapter is largely independent.

Man, are you GULLIBLE!

Noexit

2011-12-20 04:36:36 PM

I guess it's rotten from the top all the way down. We had a problem here over the weekend with TFT recipients fighting over toys. Cops had to be called. Within a few hours of the toy handout, folks were showing up at Walmart to exchange their stuff for cash. Cops were called, the Salvation Army was called, some of them still tried to pull it off with the cops and SA chaplain standing there. People suck. Happy Holidays y'all.

Raw_fishFood

2011-12-20 04:37:04 PM

A bunch of "Bronies" are going to donate a bunch of Pony Toys in Denver tomorrow night. Cause we figure everybody could use some pony in their lives, especially kids in need.

brigid_fitch

2011-12-20 04:39:49 PM

HopScotchNSoda: I'm sorry about your poor experiences with TFT, Spentmiles. Each local chapter is largely independent. The Chicago one has a pretty good reputation; they also host a huge motorcycle up Western Avenue as their big promotional and toy-drive event each December. The down side is that the parade cuts the damn city in half. Thousands of motorcycles cut the city in half for an hour, shutting down nearly 15 miles of Western Avenue; the only ways across are the expressways.

Sanduskyed In The Shower, this was the Chicago chapter that was embezzled from, not the national organisation; they don't have a paid staff, It's just a bunch of bikers & their old ladies who volunteer their time.

I was supposed to go to Jersey City this past weekend for their Toys for Tots ride. I heard that only about 100 bikes made it--not great but still not bad for 50-degree weather (add in wind chill when you're cruising along, though, and it gets plenty cold!) Bikers get a bad rap--there are certainly PLENTY of us who are more than happy to pay $15-20 to a charity and it's a great way to raise awareness. When you have 100+ bikes riding through a neighborhood, people want to know why.

WildManBand

2011-12-20 04:48:36 PM

I'm not a cheapskate; however, I don't believe in "toys for tots." Why? Because this goddamn story is a repeat from every year the past decade. I'm good at finding ways to steal shiat, so if I can deduce that a charity does not have any controls to stop asshats like me from stealing I do not give. Toys for tots is a very easy operation to skim being that they in good faith trust a bunch of unvetted people with a bunch of valuable new merchandise--a skimmer's dream.

srtpointman

2011-12-20 04:55:09 PM

I have volunteered for Toys For Tots for the past three years in my county. Since we don't have a Marine reserve unit, the local Marine Corps League has taken it upon themselves to run the program for the last 30 years. We did our gift distribution this past weekend and it was great. And no, we didn't go after the biggest PR opportunities as some people have accused on here. We went to all the local schools in our county and gave them applications. We had approximately 1,000 families come in for toys (that had applied). We had an additional 60 families that were walk ins who also got toys. So approximately 2700 were helped out this year in our county alone. We distributed approximately 15000 toys.

And Spentmiles, one toy per kid is better than no toy per kid. The toys are distributed depending on the amount of donations received and the number of families applying. I'm sorry we couldn't pile toys under your farking tree. And the fact that you would rather people not donate and no kids get anything tells me what kind of a hateful douchebag you really are. Instead of saying thank you for having SOMETHING for your kid, you're gonna sit there and complain about the amount of toys? God, you're a farking asshole.

WarszawaScream

2011-12-20 04:55:30 PM

FT(revised)A:

A generous donor stepped forward today, saving Christmas for a local charity after an alleged theft left organizers unable to buy toys for thousands of needy Chicago-area kids.

A man came in with a $25,000 check to cover the missing amount, said Toys for Tots Chicagoland treasurer Janet Malpede.

The donor's only stipulation? That he remains anonymous and that the gift be in memory of Sid Luckman, the Chicago Bears quarterback during the 1940s who led the team to four championships.

Article saved!

Raw_fishFood: A bunch of "Bronies" are going to donate a bunch of Pony Toys in Denver tomorrow night. Cause we figure everybody could use some pony in their lives, especially kids in need.

I wish I could get more people around here to do things like that, but seems like everyone's always broke when it comes to anything except commissioning art for themselves. Ain't gonna stop me from donating what I can though.

ace in your face

2011-12-20 04:58:48 PM

Lol. In our county,it's actually better this year because the guy who we believe was embezzling moved away. Now it's run by two old Korea vets, and my husband who are def not embezzling. For us it's been a great organization, especially with the shady dude gone. Anyway, I'm off to the last toy party of the year. If you have a problem with the way toys for tots is run then maybe you should volunteer your TIME instead of paging yourself on the back for just writing a check. I'm sure that the two little old men in my town would love to retire.

ace in your face

2011-12-20 05:02:29 PM

srtpointman: I have volunteered for Toys For Tots for the past three years in my county. Since we don't have a Marine reserve unit, the local Marine Corps League has taken it upon themselves to run the program for the last 30 years. We did our gift distribution this past weekend and it was great. And no, we didn't go after the biggest PR opportunities as some people have accused on here. We went to all the local schools in our county and gave them applications. We had approximately 1,000 families come in for toys (that had applied). We had an additional 60 families that were walk ins who also got toys. So approximately 2700 were helped out this year in our county alone. We distributed approximately 15000 toys.

And Spentmiles, one toy per kid is better than no toy per kid. The toys are distributed depending on the amount of donations received and the number of families applying. I'm sorry we couldn't pile toys under your farking tree. And the fact that you would rather people not donate and no kids get anything tells me what kind of a hateful douchebag you really are. Instead of saying thank you for having SOMETHING for your kid, you're gonna sit there and complain about the amount of toys? God, you're a farking asshole.

Oh and this. Although I'm pretty sure decking the halls. Trollolololollololol

Atomic Spunk

2011-12-20 05:04:20 PM

The damage that people who embezzle from non-profits goes far beyond the amount that they actually steal. Every time something like this happens, people who would be otherwise inclined to give become a little less trustful that their money will be put to good use. I still donate a fair amount of money to non-profits of my choice, but there is a part of me that wonders if my money will be well spent. The more stories I read like this, the less inclined I will be to give in the future. It's a gradual erosion of trust, and although it feels a little icky to say it, I can't help how I feel.

ace in your face

2011-12-20 05:04:39 PM

ace in your face: srtpointman: I have volunteered for Toys For Tots for the past three years in my county. Since we don't have a Marine reserve unit, the local Marine Corps League has taken it upon themselves to run the program for the last 30 years. We did our gift distribution this past weekend and it was great. And no, we didn't go after the biggest PR opportunities as some people have accused on here. We went to all the local schools in our county and gave them applications. We had approximately 1,000 families come in for toys (that had applied). We had an additional 60 families that were walk ins who also got toys. So approximately 2700 were helped out this year in our county alone. We distributed approximately 15000 toys.

And Spentmiles, one toy per kid is better than no toy per kid. The toys are distributed depending on the amount of donations received and the number of families applying. I'm sorry we couldn't pile toys under your farking tree. And the fact that you would rather people not donate and no kids get anything tells me what kind of a hateful douchebag you really are. Instead of saying thank you for having SOMETHING for your kid, you're gonna sit there and complain about the amount of toys? God, you're a farking asshole.

Oh and this. Although I'm pretty sure SPENTMILES IS decking the halls. Trollolololollololol

Damnit. Fixed.

e5wsf

2011-12-20 05:04:54 PM

This local charity=Toys for Tots?
TfT is run by the USMCR primarily.
It has a .02% administrative cost overhead..

ace in your face

2011-12-20 05:07:03 PM

Atomic Spunk: The damage that people who embezzle from non-profits goes far beyond the amount that they actually steal. Every time something like this happens, people who would be otherwise inclined to give become a little less trustful that their money will be put to good use. I still donate a fair amount of money to non-profits of my choice, but there is a part of me that wonders if my money will be well spent. The more stories I read like this, the less inclined I will be to give in the future. It's a gradual erosion of trust, and although it feels a little icky to say it, I can't help how I feel.
So why don't you just put toys in a drop box instead of writing a check? Why don't you volunteer your time? Why don't you actually do something if you are so worried about misappropriation ?

Atomic Spunk

2011-12-20 05:16:17 PM

ace in your face: Atomic Spunk: The damage that people who embezzle from non-profits goes far beyond the amount that they actually steal. Every time something like this happens, people who would be otherwise inclined to give become a little less trustful that their money will be put to good use. I still donate a fair amount of money to non-profits of my choice, but there is a part of me that wonders if my money will be well spent. The more stories I read like this, the less inclined I will be to give in the future. It's a gradual erosion of trust, and although it feels a little icky to say it, I can't help how I feel.

So why don't you just put toys in a drop box instead of writing a check? Why don't you volunteer your time? Why don't you actually do something if you are so worried about misappropriation ?

You know what also really kills the mood to give? Assholes like you who get pissy over a very real and understandable emotions and want to tell me what I should be doing with MY money. I give money to the Shriner's Hospital because I think nursing children back from life threatening diseases is important, and a toy won't buy medication or pay a physician's salary. I also volunteer my time, dickface. If you don't think misappropriation is a valid concern for anyone who donates money, you are a sucker in need of a good education.

spentmiles

2011-12-20 05:22:12 PM

I usually turn the toys in to buy a little beer and some lottery tickets. TFT has the shiattiest toys of any organization. I'd rather accept toys from the jews, as sickening as that makes me. Get some damn decent toys for these kids!

taliesinwi

2011-12-20 05:26:40 PM

Franco: spentmiles: For reasons out of my control, I always find myself broke around the holidays. I battle severe depression caused by gambling addiction and alcohol. I have three kids that I don't get to see as often as I'd like, so I always try to make Christmas a big production. Toys for Tots is the worst program for getting toys for children in need. It's just about impossible for a private citizen to get on their donation list. Being a private charity, they get to pick to whom they give the toys. They always choose the greatest PR opportunity -- Children's Hospitals, Orphanages, Burn Units, etc etc etc. Last year I was able to get one toy for each child from them, which is just about nothing. I will not be accepting anything from them this year, and I hope that you all do not donate either.

Well. Shat. I guess beggars can be choosers.

I'm amazed no one else actually fell for that, it was almost convincing.

Demonrats

2011-12-20 05:28:38 PM

I have quit donating to all charities. It has nothing to do with embezzeling. I'm just ticked that the LINK (food stamp) card gets used at restaurants that I am at and I watch all the crap that gets purchased at Mego-Lo Mart on the LINK. It is farking Christmas all year for these people.

My state taxes were raised by 66% this year to pay for never ending unemployment, never ending food stamps, and state public pensions that range up to the height of $400K+. I'm through with giving.

baronvonzipper

2011-12-20 05:47:27 PM

We stopped giving money to charities years ago. Now, we go to Costco or WalMart and load up the truck with:

1) Warm socks
2) Mittens and gloves
3) Stocking caps
3) Blankets

These are the most requested items by the homeless. For a couple of hundred bucks, you can make a lot of people happy, and leave out the middleman.

Sanduskyed In The Shower

2011-12-20 05:47:28 PM

Sanduskyed In The Shower

2011-12-20 05:48:14 PM

Sanduskyed In The Shower: HopScotchNSoda: I'm sorry about your poor experiences with TFT, Spentmiles. Each local chapter is largely independent. The Chicago one has a pretty good reputation; they also host a huge motorcycle up Western Avenue as their big promotional and toy-drive event each December. The down side is that the parade cuts the damn city in half. Thousands of motorcycles cut the city in half for an hour, shutting down nearly 15 miles of Western Avenue; the only ways across are the expressways.

Sanduskyed In The Shower, this was the Chicago chapter that was embezzled from, not the national organisation; they don't have a paid staff, It's just a bunch of bikers & their old ladies who volunteer their time.

Dangit, meant to post this

baseballanalysts.com

burton160w

2011-12-20 05:57:47 PM

Demonrats: I have quit donating to all charities. It has nothing to do with embezzeling. I'm just ticked that the LINK (food stamp) card gets used at restaurants that I am at and I watch all the crap that gets purchased at Mego-Lo Mart on the LINK. It is farking Christmas all year for these people.

My state taxes were raised by 66% this year to pay for never ending unemployment, never ending food stamps, and state public pensions that range up to the height of $400K+. I'm through with giving.

Except, that's technically not true. Restaurant-use at only SPECIFIC locations are eligible for protected groups who are unable to accommodate and prepare food on their own (handicap, senior citizens, etc.) You cannot go into the Cheesecake Factory with your family and pay using a Link card. What is eligible are birthday-cakes, steaks, and seafood items that we may consider luxury. However, the government will not set distinctions on "healthy" and "unhealthy" foods because of the burden labeling 100,000 food items would be, not to mention the drain it would have on grocer resources. These people can purchase filet, but when you consider the monetary limit of the link card it really isn't practical to purchase those items. Really, food stamps don't give you a whole lot of money for the month and you do need to spend it wisely. The bigger crime is selling food stamps for cash - which is VERY ILLEGAL, but tough to track because of a lack of ID requirements.

http://www.fns.usda.gov/ora/menu/Published/snap/FILES/ProgramOperatio n s/FSPFoodRestrictions.pdf

/troll has been trolled

Thal

2011-12-20 06:14:58 PM

That was nice of Donor, perhaps they can get Blitzen involved too.

/yes that's how I read it at first..... long day

HopScotchNSoda

2011-12-20 06:21:04 PM

Sanduskyed In The Shower: Dangit, meant to post this

OK, hum.. "Swing and a miss," right? How do you mean, though?

Nyctophobic Gerbil

2011-12-20 06:31:07 PM

spentmiles 2011-12-20 05:22:12 PM

I usually turn the toys in to buy a little beer and some lottery tickets. TFT has the shiattiest toys of any organization. I'd rather accept toys from the jews, as sickening as that makes me. Get some damn decent toys for these kids!

Lol Spentmiles. Do you steal your gambling money from the safe at your Olive Garden? I guess your kids can play with some bread sticks and coasters this holiday season. Imagination is never over-rated. Too funny. Your posts as of late have been a welcome reprieve from the slow times at work.

hailin

2011-12-20 06:50:05 PM

srtpointman: And Spentmiles, one toy per kid is better than no toy per kid. The toys are distributed depending on the amount of donations received and the number of families applying. I'm sorry we couldn't pile toys under your farking tree. And the fact that you would rather people not donate and no kids get anything tells me what kind of a hateful douchebag you really are. Instead of saying thank you for having SOMETHING for your kid, you're gonna sit there and complain about the amount of toys? God, you're a farking asshole.

You don't need to get so worked up. spentmiles says trolly things in 99% of the posts he makes on Fark (and is hilarious about it so he is a favorite). Everything he said is b.s.

The only reason I'm being nice and not calling you an idiot for responding to spentmiles is because you are a military man and sound like a nice guy volunteering for Toys for Tots. I just didn't want an obvious troll post for hilarity to ruin your day.

/Donated a couple Littlest Pet Shop playsets for TFT this year

Erebus1954

2011-12-20 07:07:47 PM

That's why I'm donating to Toys for Tarts this year. Nobody thinks of the poor prostitutes over the holidays.

HopScotchNSoda

2011-12-20 07:24:52 PM

Erebus1954: That's why I'm donating to Toys for Tarts this year. Nobody thinks of the poor prostitutes over the holidays.

Toys for Twats does.

bdub77

2011-12-20 07:46:11 PM

In positive news, I've added a new user to my ignore list.

BeSerious

2011-12-20 08:01:22 PM

sasori

2011-12-20 09:00:50 PM

srtpointman: I have volunteered for Toys For Tots for the past three years in my county. Since we don't have a Marine reserve unit, the local Marine Corps League has taken it upon themselves to run the program for the last 30 years. We did our gift distribution this past weekend and it was great. And no, we didn't go after the biggest PR opportunities as some people have accused on here. We went to all the local schools in our county and gave them applications. We had approximately 1,000 families come in for toys (that had applied). We had an additional 60 families that were walk ins who also got toys. So approximately 2700 were helped out this year in our county alone. We distributed approximately 15000 toys.

Good on ya, SRT.

Anyone that's dissatisfied with Toys for Tots, there is absolutely nothing stopping you from performing a little direct charity.

Locally, for the third year in a row we got together guys from four different regional motorcycle forums to form a small toy run, and raised nearly 5 grand cash and hundreds of toys for three local orphanages, all of which went directly to the recipients with no overhead. The big bonus for those kids was the invasion for the day of a bunch of riders (mixed group of bikers, offroaders and sportbike riders) for fun and games.

wambu

2011-12-20 09:31:54 PM

I usually support the Toys for Twats program.
i.imgur.com

/think of the children

//not you Sandusky!

camelclub

2011-12-20 10:00:48 PM

I'm sure there are kids that really need help from charities. It's great that there are organizations that help them.

But then, there are the parents that game the system to get free stuff. I drove by a distribution station several years ago for toys being given and collected by one of the local tv stations in conjunction with other charities. All the cars in the parking lot were Escalades, Surburbans, Denali's and Excursions. There was also the panel truck that delivered the toys. If it had been 1 or 2 high end vehicles I could have dismissed it.....but it was a dozen or more and people were carrying toys to the vehicles.

If you can afford a high end vehicle, you can afford to buy your kids some toys for Christmas....or else buy a less expensive vehicle so you can provide for your family.

For those that are suffering during this economic time, I hope you are able to benefit from charities - that's what they're for. If you are scamming charities to get free stuff, rot in hell.

Demonrats

2011-12-20 10:06:46 PM

BeSerious: Demonrats: I have quit donating to all charities. It has nothing to do with embezzeling. I'm just ticked that the LINK (food stamp) card gets used at restaurants that I am at and I watch all the crap that gets purchased at Mego-Lo Mart on the LINK. It is farking Christmas all year for these people.

My state taxes were raised by 66% this year to pay for never ending unemployment, never ending food stamps, and state public pensions that range up to the height of $400K+. I'm through with giving.

Bullshiat.

Also, spentmiles is a troll, and this is probably his alt account.

What are you calling BS on? The fact that my taxes were raised by 66%? Illinois went from a 3% to a 5% state income tax rate this year thanks to teachers and this: Link (new window)

66% tax increase happened - Link (new window)

Here is a list of the top state pensions from Illinois (SURS - State University Retirement System, TRS - Teacher Retirement System) Thechampion.net is the only place that has a searchable database for public employee pensions and teacher salaries that is easily accessible.
Link (new window)

We now have 2 people earning more than $400,000 a year with an annual 3% COLA.

Ringo48

2011-12-20 10:11:40 PM