Wounded Warrior cuts workforce by 15 percent in wake of drop in donations

[TexasTowelie]

Source: The Florida Times-Union

Wounded Warrior Project laid off 85 employees this week, including 32 at its home base of Jacksonville, as it sought to bring expenses in line with a more-than-20-percent plunge in donations.

The layoffs equated to about 15 percent of the non-profit’s nationwide workforce. While the overall number of employees is down, Wounded Warrior’s restructuring will be boosting staffing levels for certain programs such as mental-health services.

“A loss of any individual is a big blow,” CEO Mike Linnington said Friday. He said he does not think further reductions will be needed.

“We’re right-sized for the revenue we have,” he said. “We’re focused in the areas we want to be focused in. Now, it’s about continuing to focus on the warriors and do our very best to deliver the valuable programs and services they need.”

Read more: http://jacksonville.com/news/metro/2016-09-02/story/wounded-warrior-cuts-workforce-15-percent-wake-drop-donations

[TipTok]

1. We gave a few times...

... heard about the mismanagement before it became common knowledge and stopped.

We've asked multiple times to come off of their list and at this point they have likely spent more than we donated on mailings, junk products, magnets, stickers and man hours.

What a waste...

[PatSeg]

2. I've always been suspicious of this charity

and then the "lavish spending" scandal came to light. It is hard to trust an organization after that. This isn't surprising.

[Plucketeer]

3. Exactly how I've felt about it.

Might have been started with noble intentions, but got too full of itself.

[PatSeg]

4. I also used to get upset

when I saw their commercials (very emotionally exploitative) because the government that sent our vets to war should be taking care of their health needs, not a charity. No expense is spared when it comes to military equipment like the F-35 that no one appears to need or want, but injured soldiers seem to be disposable. The government has created a vacuum that unscrupulous people will be more than glad to fill.

[Plucketeer]

6. Oh MAN, do I agree!

There should be NO NEED for charity money so far as our veterans are concerned - not ONE PENNEY! That said, I get a little bit of money for my service-related disabilities. I should be eligible for just a wee bit more (like about $100). So my CalVet rep initiated a notice of appeal to the VA. That was 6 months ago and I'm told it might take as much as THREE YEARS to get a decision! WTF? I might not LIVE to see the decision - I'm 71 now. For all the lip service we heard about streamlining VA service, that's ALL it really was - lip service. I feel really bad for guys less lucky than me who're looking for help. And THEIR plight with the VA is what spawns these money-slurping half-hearted charities!

[PatSeg]

7. WTF is right

It is insane that the military can spend over $100 million for a jet, but can't find $100 for a vet. I would venture that those jets get better care than our vets do. "Defense" spending hardly ever gets questioned, and we know it is out of control. Vets get lip service, patriotic stickers on SUVs, and an occasional "Thank you for your service".

When I've seen "Support our Troops" bumper stickers on cars, I wanted to ask the owners how THEY support the troops.

I'm glad to know that I am not the only one who is offended by these charities. What kind of country creates injured vets and then expects charities to assist in their recovery? I am so sorry that your outrage is more first hand than mine. Being the same age as you, I do understand that time is really an issue.

[Plucketeer]

9. When I've seen "Support our Troops" bumper stickers on cars, I wanted to ask the owners how THEY

support the troops" Yup! With stickers, magnets and flags all produced in China. I wanna puke.

And while I don't consider myself anything special, I did volunteer to go into Vietnam on several two-month tours. I consider whatr I experienced to be a plus towards making me what I've been since then. I will say - I wanna barf (again!) when someone says thank you for your service. Yeah, SO heartfelt and sincere. LOL - I wanna come back: You don't look 4F to me. Of course, I don't. And whereas I used to encourage young folks to do a tour for their country, I don't anymore. Having seen the degree of respect they'll get when they get out - it isn't worth the risk when we're fighting - in essence - to keep the cheap oil flowing.

[PatSeg]

10. Yes, this isn't post World War II

Telling people that soldiers are "fighting for our freedoms" is disingenuous in this day and age. I raised a son and I can't imagine sending him off to fight for "cheap oil" or to enrich military contractors, knowing when he came home, he very likely would be forgotten in a pile of red tape.

World War II defeated fascism (obviously necessary), but unfortunately it also created the military-industrial complex that is still with us today and in order to survive, it needs WAR. As a species, we have a long way to go, if we don't destroy ourselves.

I don't know what the answer is, but using our young people as pawns in politicians war games is insidious and hardly civilized.

[PSPS]

5. Not rated very high

Charity watch gives them a C with a whopping 46% overhead
https://www.charitywatch.org/ratings-and-metrics/wounded-warrior-project/559


Fisher House Foundation is a different veterans' charity that has an A+ rating with a meager 8% overhead
https://www.charitywatch.org/ratings-and-metrics/fisher-house-foundation/531

[Unit 001]

8. Scammers should be shut down! n/t

[BigDemVoter]

11. How Interesting!

I recently made a trip to "Republican Hell" where my parents reside (they are NOT rethugs!). In any case, the entire repuke town was awash in bumper stickers, "Support our Troops!". . . . I guess that's what "support" means for them--a bumper sticker slogan.

I have never understood the military's support of the repuke party. This false notion that repukes are in some way more supportive of the military or better for national defense is a load of horse shit. Furthermore, If I were to suffer the the tragedy of being wounded, I would rather be a wounded warrior during a Dem administration than a repuke one, as I would have a lot more options under the former than the latter.