Apple opens up iTunes & App Store donations for flooding in Kerala, India

Never understood why a special app is needed.

As to the American Red Cross, they are an organization that takes donated blood and sells it at a significant markup. They pay their CEO better than a half Million a year- more than the President of the United States, the Speaker of the House or the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court.

If you want to help, give it to a real charity like Doctors Without Borders. Your money will actually make it past the pay envelope at headquarters.

davgreg said:

Never understood why a special app is needed.

As to the American Red Cross, they are an organization that takes donated blood and sells it at a significant markup. They pay their CEO better than a half Million a year- more than the President of the United States, the Speaker of the House or the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court.

If you want to help, give it to a real charity like Doctors Without Borders. Your money will actually make it past the pay envelope at headquarters.

Agreed. 

davgreg said:

Never understood why a special app is needed.

As to the American Red Cross, they are an organization that takes donated blood and sells it at a significant markup. They pay their CEO better than a half Million a year- more than the President of the United States, the Speaker of the House or the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court.

If you want to help, give it to a real charity like Doctors Without Borders. Your money will actually make it past the pay envelope at headquarters.

Because it doesn't hurt, or cost a lot, but can help? Perhaps, even help a lot? It's certainly not for everyone (seemingly, not for you), and that is perfectly fine.

But it was, for me.

Your churlishness about the head of Red Cross making more than the POTUS, etc. is silly. Non-profits need managerial talent as much as for-profits do. The huge problem at many non-profits (I sit on some NP boards) is how poorly they are managed, in part of because of the lower-quality human capital they attract. Compensation is a part of that equation.

DWB is an outstanding organization, and one should most certainly give to organizations like that. However, DWB is likely not of much use in the Kerala situation.

Aside: I went over to the iTunes Store to donate. There was no "...greeting by banners asking for donations to help flooding victims in Kerala, India."

davgreg said:

Never understood why a special app is needed.

As to the American Red Cross, they are an organization that takes donated blood and sells it at a significant markup. They pay their CEO better than a half Million a year- more than the President of the United States, the Speaker of the House or the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court.

If you want to help, give it to a real charity like Doctors Without Borders. Your money will actually make it past the pay envelope at headquarters.

While I also like DWB, this article makes no mention of a "special app" being needed, and says all funds go to Mercy Corps, not ARC. 

For all the billions that Apple has, I don't feel a need to contribute a dime. Apple should be able to make a donation to this cause for everyone that has ever bought a MBP, iMac, iPod, iPhone, etc, etc.