We are freezing...is there any help?

[frankswife]

Our furnace is shot. This comes 2 weeks after paying $160 to have it cleaned and being told it was ok. It's going to cost at least $3000 for a new one. Of course we have no savings as we live one paycheck away from calamity at all times. Its 46 degrees in my house right now. I am so afraid Frank is going to get sick. Is there any help out there for a disabled Army veteran? I am just steps away from a complete breakdown. We're not asking for a handout. I filled out the application my furnace guy gave me to try to finance a new furnace and got turned down.

[Bambino_Bear]

That is awful.  Our central heat doesn't work either.  We live in Texas though so it doesn't get as cold.  We bought three electric heaters and only use them in the rooms we are in.  It works pretty well.  Sorry I could not be more helpful. 

[MooseMom]

Two things come to mind.

One, do you think it might be worth asking Frank's social worker about what assistance programs are available for dialysis patients?

Two, just yesterday I pledged money to a Veterans' charity organization.  I get so many calls asking for donations to charities for veterans, particularly for Vietnam vets, and I always give, so I KNOW there are charities out there who should be able to help in exactly this sort of circumstance.  If not, I have to wonder to where (or to whom) all of my money has been going.

Let us know what you find out.  Prayers to you both.

[Desert Dancer]

The National Kidney Foundation does provide financial gifts in emergency cases such as this. It might be worth filling out the paperwork with your social worker to see if you qualify.

[Simon Dog]

If not, I have to wonder to where (or to whom) all of my money has been going.

In the case of many charities (and veterans charities are particularly notorious for this), the vast majority of the money donated goes to the professional fundraiser (I'm talking on the order of 85% or more).

Next time ask the professional fundraiser for an audited financial statement showing how much of your donation goes to actually help vets and get ready for an evasive answer.

[MooseMom]

Simon Dog, is that information available online?

[Jean]

Simon Dog, I think you need to go back to bed until you get over being such a grouch today!!!

[Simon Dog]

Simon Dog, I think you need to go back to bed until you get over being such a grouch today!!!

Does speaking the truth really make one a grouch?   Would it be better for me to have left the typical 85% fundraising fee of phone solicitors unmentioned so IHDers could continue to feel good giving money to these folks?

I don't know if there is any easy reference to find the percentage paid to the fundraisers by each org, but there is a LOT of info on charities, including their form 990 filing, at www.guidestar.org.   You'll find even reputable charities paying their top execs $500K+.

[MooseMom]

Jean, Simon Dog is absolutely right, which is why I am always dubious when I get calls from charities.  I get so many calls from breast cancer charities, all with slightly differing names, that I am starting to get really annoyed.  I've heard many times that it is especially veterans charities that get scammed by professional fundraising companies.  But when I got a call yesterday from the fundraiser for the Vietnam vets charity, I couldn't help but remember that many of the homeless in this country are vets.  So I took a chance.  When I said that yes, I'd contribute a bit of money, the fundraiser actually sounded shocked.  It must be a thankless task to have to spend your days calling people, begging for money on someone else's behalf.  I can only hope that some of the money I've given over the years will find it's way to Frank. 

Simon Dog, thanks for that info!

[Simon Dog]

I get so many calls from breast cancer charities, all with slightly differing names, that I am starting to get really annoyed. 

FYI, guidestar shows that donations to the Komen for The Cure foundation funds one salary of $696K; 4 over $400K; 5 over $200K and two over $180K; but in the interest of moderation, only the CEO/Founder is approved for first class travel (couldn't ask someone pulling down close to three quarters of a mil/year to tolerate coach).    Some of the donations not used for salaries goes to pay to sue anyone using "for the cure" in the name of their disease charity.

[MooseMom]

I made the mistake of giving to Komen for the Cure once some years ago; never again.

I NEVER get calls to donate to kidney disease charities.

I gave to a policemen's/firefighters' charity once, and then I realized that for reasons that I should not disclose here, it would be unwise for me to give to these particular causes.  So the next time their fundraiser called me, I explained to him why I could not donate, and he got really snippy with me.  He said, "Our records show that you gave to [some children's cancer fund]," to which I had to reply, "Yes, but those children are not policemen or firefighters."  Man, once you are on record for having done something nice like donate money, they just never EVER give up.  So these professional fundraisers have data on just about EVERY charity you've given to.  It's really creepy.  I think I'm just going to have to start saying no to any fundraiser that contacts me by phone.  I give to other charities that contact me solely via mail, and they are reputable, local and do not hire professional fundraisers.  I hate saying "no", though.

[noahvale]

I get so many calls from breast cancer charities, all with slightly differing names, that I am starting to get really annoyed. 

FYI, guidestar shows that donations to the Komen for The Cure foundation funds one salary of $696K; 4 over $400K; 5 over $200K and two over $180K; but in the interest of moderation, only the CEO/Founder is approved for first class travel (couldn't ask someone pulling down close to three quarters of a mil/year to tolerate coach).    Some of the donations not used for salaries goes to pay to sue anyone using "for the cure" in the name of their disease charity.

At this time the Atlanta Community Food Bank is the charity of choice of my business.  Plus, at the bottom of all business email correspondence I ask folks to join me in supporting the American Kidney Fund and the Gary Sinese Foundation, and include linked logos of all three organizations.  However, I have supported SGK through my business in the past by holding fund-raising events and continue to donate on a personal level.

The Susan G. Komen Foundation meets ALL of Guidestars OBJECTIVE guidelines.  Most of the negative comments I read from individuals were based on politics, not on what the organization has accomplished.

SGK meets all criteria for Charity Navigator, the largest independent charity evaluator in the U.S. and the Better Business Bureau, and have received the organizations' highest ratings.

FYI - take a look at the top salaries of other comparable national non-profits such as the American Cancer Society, American Heart Association, and the United Way.  All of them also will sue any organization trying to use their trade marks or service marks without authorization.

[noahvale]

**

[MooseMom]

At this time the Atlanta Community Food Bank is the charity of choice of my business.  Plus, at the bottom of all business email correspondence I ask folks to join me in supporting the American Kidney Fund and the Gary Sinese Foundation, and include linked logos of all three organizations.  However, I have supported SGK through my business in the past by holding fund-raising events and continue to donate on a personal level.

The Susan G. Komen Foundation meets ALL of Guidestars OBJECTIVE guidelines.  Most of the negative comments I read from individuals were based on politics, not on what the organization has accomplished.

SGK meets all criteria for Charity Navigator, the largest independent charity evaluator in the U.S. and the Better Business Bureau, and have received the organizations' highest ratings.

FYI - take a look at the top salaries of other comparable national non-profits such as the American Cancer Society, American Heart Association, and the United Way.  All of them also will sue any organization trying to use their trade marks or service marks without authorization.

Thanks for that info, noahvale.  Perhaps I will rethink SGK because I am highly suspicious of the breast cancer charities to which I have donated over the past year.  Your suggestion about the Gary Sinese Foundation is a good one.

I don't really blame any organization for suing to protect their trademarks.

It's interesting that the Atlanta Community Food Bank is your charity of choice because the Northern Illinois Food Bank is mine.  No one should go hungry in this country.

Thanks for your info to frankswife re AKF emergency funds; I hope the social worker can steer frank and frankswife to some help.  You often give such good, practical guidance to many here on IHD, and I thank you for that.

[frankswife]

Thanks for your replies all. I checked and the AKF and the NKF help with things like paying for medications, travel expenses for treatment etc. They woudn't help with something like this. Thank you though, it was worth a shot. I hated to bother anyone with this, I'm sure we'll figure it out somehow.

[MooseMom]

Have you checked with any veterans' associations?  I refuse to believe there is no help out there somewhere that you can access.  Is there a VA facility close to you?

[Bill Peckham]

Depending on your location the local gas company might have a program that would help ... do you heat with gas? If you're not currently using gas and gas is an option there may be a program to help finance a switch. For instance I know that Seattle's gas utility suipports people who switch from oil and has something I think it's called the good neighbor fund that collects donations when people pay their bill. The fund is available to help people with winter gas bills and can support these sort of major repairs/replacements.

I would think that the furnace company would have a handle on what is available in your area, options.

Until you have a solution please be careful with any alternatives that might produce carbon monoxide in the home. Every year there are cases of people being overcome with CO because, for instance, they needed heat and used a propane heater meant for outdoors.

[noahvale]

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[obsidianom]

Our furnace is shot. This comes 2 weeks after paying $160 to have it cleaned and being told it was ok. It's going to cost at least $3000 for a new one. Of course we have no savings as we live one paycheck away from calamity at all times. Its 46 degrees in my house right now. I am so afraid Frank is going to get sick. Is there any help out there for a disabled Army veteran? I am just steps away from a complete breakdown. We're not asking for a handout. I filled out the application my furnace guy gave me to try to finance a new furnace and got turned down.

It may be worth a second opinion on the furnace being completely shot. Beforw you give up on it , is it possible to get someone else to look at it and see if it can be salvaged. I dont know what is wrong with it so I cant comment for sure but many issues can be repaired with the right service person. ( I used to be in the appliance repair business before i was a doctor).
I have learned to always get a second opinion on everything major in life. What one person says may not be correct often.
I hope you can fix it for a lot less money than a new one. Good luck. I am sorry this happened to you guys, especially with kidney issues too.

[Simon Dog]

All of them also will sue any organization trying to use their trade marks or service marks without authorization.

SGK takes it to the extreme - they consider any use of the word "cure" in a charity's name to be an infringement.

[Shaks24]

If you have home equity maybe you can apply for a home equity loan.

[frankswife]

This furnace burns oil. We wanted to switch to propane someday down the line.... The part this furnace needs is about $1200. The furnace is oldddd, like I'm not even sure how old. It was here when I moved in 9 years ago and I've spent probably $1500 in repairs on it over that period. I can't see spending another $1200 for something else to break. Doesnt matter, I dont have $1200 or $2900 for a new one. I dont have equity, I own a mobile and rent the lot. Guess I'm just screwed!

[frankswife]

Thank you all for your suggestions. You guys are great.

[MooseMom]

Frankswife, have you been able to find any help re your broken furnace?

[frankswife]

Hi Moosemom, no we havent found any help. I had enough extra $$ from some overtime I worked to buy 2 space heaters, which are keeping us toasty for now. But, it hasnt been below 38 yet either. It's supposed to be in the low 50's here next week, that will buy us a bit of time. If I saved up it will take me til May to replace that bugger furnace. I have been looking at electric furnaces, there is one brand new for $505 plus tax that will fit onto my existing ductwork. But then we will have to run a 240 line and I'm popping breakers now just running heaters. I've looked into HEAP, catholic charities, NKF, NYSEG, Weatherization, Social Services and a few other places. I'm going to call the Office of the Aging and the VA on Monday. I wish I had the kahonas (sp?) to do one of those crowdfunding things.