I remember very well the big controversy after 9/11 and what the Red Cross did with the donations (including mine).  This is just a reminder as to why I asked for and got my donation back and will not donate to them again.  You are much better off finding an organization that directly helps those that you are looking to aid.  Read more here.

A great article in NewsDay about the Red Cross.  Some excerpts:

The national Red Cross reports it spent $111 million last year on fundraising alone. Its fundraising vastly outruns its programs because it does very little or nothing to rescue survivors, provide direct medical care or rebuild houses. After 9/11, the Red Cross collected more than $1 billion, a record in philanthropic fundraising after a disaster. But the Red Cross could do little more than trace missing people, help a handful of people in shelters and provide food to firefighters, police, paramedics and evacuation crews.

A clamor arose when the media began dissecting Red Cross activities in the 9/11 aftermath. This resulted in the resignation of the organization's president and chief executive, Bernadine Healy, and the appointment of ex-Sen. George Mitchell (D-Maine) to oversee its 9/11 fund and help clean up its image. Funds were then pushed out the door – including millions to New York limo drivers who said they lost income after 9/11 and to upscale residents of lower Manhattan to help pay utility bills.

Click here to read the full article.