"Dear Joe,
MECA did not organize, nor was involved with any such event involving selling magnetic ribbons at Sarah Foxwell's vigil. No one from MECA authorized this.
MECA is a non-profit that has existed in Maryland for 25 years involving missing and exploited children."
Ladies & Gentlemen, my instincts never fail me.
I am withholding the name of this contact person because I do not want the local nut cases trampling all over this person with their notorious phone calls, hence the Salvation Army, Sam's Club, Wal-Mart, Gander Mountain and other local businesses.
I can assure you, I just got off the phone with these people, (they contacted me) and they were clueless. I have forwarded this contact information to the proper authorities and hopefully something gets done about it.
In a letter sent by an individual to MECA, this is where they learned their group was being questioned by SBYNews and they responded immediately.
I don't want your group to take a lashing in the press, but a local blogger is questioning the integrity of your group (MECA of MD) because it does not appear that any support was offered to the family of Sarah Haley Foxwell after her abduction and murder Dec. 22. by MECA of MD, and therefore wonders why our local dollars should go to support this group.
This would be a great time to build awareness and exact legislative change on the Eastern Shore and state wide. Is assistance being offered to her siblings and immediate family? I don't know, but I hope so. I hope your group is involved in Haley's case and working to make legislative changes. There are many here who would want to help!
Please be very careful when it comes to certain groups claiming to be affiliated with National or state wide Organizations. The homework has been done and MECA clearly states they had NOTHING to do with this and were completely unaware of it, until now.
More to come..........
28 comments:
Which is why I made my own ribbon out of three colors exctly like the ones they were passing out except I use a tiny cupid pin to attach mine to whatever I'm wearing. Instead of buying one of theirs I donated the money directly to the bank account for Sarah's sibblings.
Wonder if WBOC will say a word of this since they made sure they showed that girls face when they did the story about the candlelight vigil in the park.
She better do some explaining to everyone who gave her money thinking it was going towards good cause.
Joe, you allowed this comment on your site which makes no claim that MECA was behind this:
Vic Gordy said...
I would like to clear some things up. First the Missing and Exploited Children's Association of MD did not start this fundraiser. A group of LOCAL residents in this community started this fundraiser. We found out that there had already been several funds setup to help the family. We wanted to donate to an organization that fought for law changes in the State of MD which we live. No local organization fights for laws for these types of criminals, so we had to go outside the local community. Do not blame the MECA of MD because they are not pushing this. We contacted them and told them that we were going to donate the money to them. They had nothing to do with the fundraiser other than that. If you want your money to go to the family then there are several options you can choose other than our ribbons. The money is going to go to MECA. There are plenty of ribbons left for sale and we are going to be working with several businesses hopefully to be able to provide these to people who would like to get one. I talked to Heather who put on the Vigil tonight and have volunteered to help with more fund raising events that are in the works as we speak. I know there are scammers out there but please trust me when I say our group is not. As stated before several people in this group donate thier services and money to several local charities every year to help out people in need. I also want to take the opportunity to talk to MECA and see if they will start organizing more events on the eastern shore.
Joe i was at the vigil all night by the tables. Im sure you saw us selling the ribbons but did not once come talk to us. If you have so much doubt why didn't you talk to us face to face so we could discuss your disbelief and hopefully turn it into belief in that the money will be used as we have stated. Thank you to all who purchased. We have plenty left and will be available for sale around the area.
So where did our money go Miss. Gas & go?
Joe , Was the girl that organized the event also the one selling the ribbons. I will give you credit you did have questions about this !
That is just a shame!! Some people will do ANYTHING for a quick buck.
uh oh... I think this should have been checked before anyone started to give money..duhhh.. so where did the money go???
The "ribbon" scam has been around for a while. Do you honestly think the money for all the yellow and pink ribbons you buy is going to troops or to breast cancer organisations?
There are individuals involved in this with good intentions, you should know that. However, I have explained to them that they should always get some sort of document endorsing their connection.
I did speak to Vic Gordy and I can tell you that he felt they wanted to get involved with this organization because they could perhaps help create better legislation towards sex offenders.
I told him the best, (IMHO) way to handle legislation is for each and every one of you to contact your Delegates, (yes, I said Delegates) as they are the ones who draft legislation for the Senate on Sex Offenders.
I have absolutely NOTHING against MECA and I applaud those with the right intention making the ribbons. I do however have a problem with others who have implied they are connected and are not. Again, IF you are to do anything else along he line of raising funds while allegedly being backed by an organization, get their signature on it first.
I was not associated with any donations. The ribbons, CDs, etc. were brought and sold by other people. They did not inform me that they would be there and I did not collect any money for any cause what-so-ever.
That is the problem with fund raiser or event cancer benefits people keep the cash cause you can not prove how much the got. There should be one organization set up and anyone who wants to do something should go only through there for appoval. "This is a damn shame" who really kept count of how much was received.
To add to that-my family and I were the ones handing out the free ribbons, which we made, which people had pinned on. That is the only involvement with any ribbons we had.
Joe,
I would like to clear some things up. First and foremost, the only people involved in this Ribbon Fundraiser are Vic Gordy, Lisa Warford, Amanda Gordy, and Carl Richards. Anyone else claiming to be organizing with us are false. Several people have re-posted what we have posted by I believe it was in good intentions to just spread the word about our fundraiser, but if it was not posted or said from one of us please disregard. I also want to say that NO, MECA had nothing to do with this fundraiser. BUT we did contact them and told them that we are donating the money to them in Sarah's name, and this is our intent. If people would like to donate their money to the family instead, there are other options other than us such as the Memorial Fund. Please by all means donate to the family if you wish your money to go there. We felt that something more had to be done than helping just one family. MECA fights for legislative changes in our state and we feel this could help all families. We are not trying to gain anything by doing this. Lisa Warford owns a business that donates their time and money every year to several non profit organizations including starting her own, Helping Hands. Her efforts have been commended by the ocean pines chamber of commerce on several occasions. This was done in all good intentions to try and help get laws changed in MD. The money has gone nowhere yet because we have ribbons left and want to raise more money. This was in no way affiliated in the candlelight vigil, we just saw it as an opportunity for the community to be able to get a ribbon and to pay our respects to Sarah. At the completion of the fundraiser, our group plans on asking MECA to use the money in our area for education and awareness purposes in our local community. I am very sorry this has become such a controversy. All of us involved only meant the best of intentions in order to protect our and everyone lse's children so this tragedy does not happen again. If you still have concerns and wish to discuss please email us at ribbonsforsarah@gmail.com. Thank you and god bless.
Vic Gordy
You make a decision to go to the trouble to mobilize people, and make up ribbons, and sell them in the freezing cold to donate money to a State of MD chartered group that has effectively no involvement with this situation and (oddly) seemingly absolutely no awareness of what is going on in the State in which they are chartered regarding an incident of child abuse and exploitation so horrific it is national news?
Ummm... OK.
At best I'd venture to guess (for whatever reason) the MECA of MD group is a not a particularly active organization at this point, or if they were they are not now, and there are better places to send money.
I am who contacted Joe. MECA - as stated here many times - was not behind any fundraising.
The email received stated that this group may get a lashing in the press, and that a local blogger was questioning the integrity of the group. A search of this blog did not find Joe stating libel statements that the emailer said, and I wanted to know if he was aware of this. A threat of that type cannot be ignored.
The woman who received the email is elderly, and has a daughter who has been missing for nearly 30 years. I'm sure the person who emailed her did not know this.
MECA, I will say again, was not involved with this.
Am I to understand this that four individuals got together and came up with this Ribbon Fundraiser for MECA to use the money in our area for education and awareness purposes in our local community?
And they were sold at the Candlelight Vigil for Sarah?
So, if my understanding is correct,
in other words, they rode on the coat tails of the vigil knowing people there were grieving for Sarah and would probably give money without giving it a second thought,(people) thinking all along the money would go to benefit Sarah's fund.
If you are going to fundraise don't you have to disclose where the money is going to? Did this happen? Lots of questions here.
Hopefully, this will get cleared up.
I really just don't know how to respond to all this backlash. We are just a group of people trying to help. If MECA doesn't want us to donate to them all they have to do is say so. I will look for another oganization that would like the donation. And a lot of you are saying it should go locally but are not giving any suggestions on where locally to donate it. Make some suggestions and we will look into it.
Also 3:27 it was posted at the vigil and told to anyone that inquired about the ribbons that the money was going to go to MECA.
By reading Mr. Gordy's responses, it seems he really is trying to help. he's not trying to hide anything apparently since he his giving his name and all others involved. He's asking for suggestions on what organization to give this money too. I sure hope he doesn't give it to MECA since they don't seem to have anything good to say about the donations that were raised. I think the best place would be in helping the "sarahs law" be passed and any campaigning that would be needed for it. What orgainizations truely helped in the search for Sarah? If any, then he could donate to them. MECA certaining doesn't sound to appealing, but thats just me and I don't have much knowledge on their organization.
Thank you Mr. Gordy for trying to help, it's a shame you have to recieve so much crap in trying to do so.
7:32-I completely agree. Thank you Mr.Gordy..I feel that there was no wrong doing what so ever on ur part and I'm sorry these people are making this into something it's not.
To Mr Gordy and the other three people involved in this, I commend your efforts and desire to "do something" without wanting anything in return. I understand your actions and I understand the desire to give the money to an organization that will do the most to help. Sometimes what we start and what we end up doing are not the same because we learn as we go along that a different path is better. In my experience you will do the most good by giving it locally versus to a National Organization. This can be accomplished by asking questions to people you know and gathering their experience or until you do make a decision - setting up an account with a trustee in a local bank that can help disperse the funds when needed for a specific purpose for this family. Your efforts are being judged wrongly and it is only important that you and the other 3 do what you started out to do. There will always be those that want to judge our actions and decisions but there is only one judge that we have to answer to. Do what you started to do. If you feel comfortable in your gut that what you choose is the right thing then don't worry about what anyone else thinks. You are doing a greater good here. Take a breath, shake off the unchristian-like questions and go forward. I hope you continue selling the ribbons. It is for Sarah and it is good to be doing something versus nothing. You will be shown what you need to do.
People trying to gain off the misery of someone else...ain't that the way of it?
I was disgusted to hear one of our own do that...I heard Norm Conway say that he was for tougher laws and maybe the death penalty for child sex offenders...Really Norm?
Why all of a sudden when it is an issue do you say something. You have CONSTANTLY argued against the death penalty and had a chance to pass Jessica's Law in 2006, but instead gave us a lame, crappy version of the bill that really didn't do anything...probably because the trial lawyers gave you a healthy donation...you sicken me Norm, that you would use this opportunity to gain some political points...way to show your true colors.
Sorry, Mr. Gordy and company, I don't trust you with a bunch of cash donations and no financial oversight.
Joe, where can I buy one? Mr Gordy is doing a GREAT thing. While I agree that phone calls to delegates help, I think the professional lobbyists associated with MECA can have a much more substantial impact on the laws. I'm sure with the rumors that have now been started, Mr. Gordy's task is going to be much more difficult. I'm sure that since this has now been "reported to the proper authorities" My. Gordy will be doing everything he can to legitimize his efforts. I'm sure you will see a trust fund setup properly. With this, wouldn't it be more productive to assist rather than condem?
Condem? I have nothing against MECA and or Mr. Gordy's efforts. MECA wrote their own letter stating they had nothing to do with this. Or can't you read.
Oh, let me add. If you think sending money to MECA will do more good than calling your Delegates, well, you go to special ed classes then because you have no clue how things work. MECA and their representatives have no influence over your Delegates.
I do not donate money anyway. TOO many ppl who cant keep their hands out of the funds.
I know Vic Gordy personally and know that he would never take advantage of a situation like this to scam people. He has a family of his own and was putting himself in the shoes of Sarah's family. He is honest and geniune and was just trying to make a difference. That's what is wrong with the world today, everyone is quit to judge and complain, but it's people like Vic who make a difference. If you don't trust a complete stranger in donating the money, then don't buy the ribbon. It really is that simple, but I bet all these people causing the backlash aren't doing anything to make a difference.
Regarding MECA ~ I find it sad that an organization founded on raising awareness of missing and exploited children in Maryland did not make their presence known or step up in any way during this entire process. Also, rather than just reiterating over and over that they had no involvement in this fundraiser, why not get the contact information of Mr. Gordy and work with him on selling the ribbons and accepting the donations?
To Mr. Gordy ~ When doing any type of not-for-profit fundraising all information with regard to costs associated with the fundraising and dollars received should be logged and tracked and made publicly available. I believe people would like to know, how many ribbons were sold? How much money was raised? How much of this is going to cover costs and how much is being donated? And finally where is it being donated with a contact name and number of the organization receiving the donations so that people may verify that their money is going to the cause they believe it to be prior to donating?
It is sad that in this day and time we have to be so sceptical but as people have mentioned before, there are those out there who will take even the most horrible occurance and use it to make a dollar. Unfortunately this means that those who are truly trying to do good are the ones who pay the price and have to go the extra mile to prove their cause.
Thanks for catching my spelling mistake... that's important!!! So, you're not condemning the efforts, but yet your instincts never fail you and you have forwarded the contact info to the proper authorities in hopes that something gets done about it. Maybe you are right and I can't read or maybe I'm just not comprehending what I'm reading. The message I did get was that you don't approve of Mr Gordy's actions toward this fund raiser.
Special Ed classes... really? How about Howard T Ennis? They seem to do a good job with my son! Even he can read MECA's home pge where it states "MECA also acts as a legislative advocate for missing and exploited children issues." What does that mean to you? My interpretation is that they are legislative activists. Are you telling me activists and lobbyists have no influence? Are you telling me that they can't make the same calls which you claim to make? Who knows, maybe Howard T Ennis school could help you too!
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