Wounded Warrior Project spends more money advertising than they do on actually helping our wounded soldiers. I sent money to them two years ago along with a matching gift from my employer.
Since that time I've received countless calendars, return address labels and other trinkets in the mail, more than I could count. I'd much prefer they spent that money on actually helping our wounded vets, than "marketing the hell out of me."
To make matters worse, they also sold my name to other veterans organizations who now also market the hell out of me.
We stopped giving to Wounded Warriors and now give our money to Fischer House, who doesn't sell my name, doesn't market the hell out of me, and actually sent a thank you letter for our "gift" (something Wounded Warriors never did.)
We'll continue our annual gift to Shepherd House because they actually use the money to benefit our wounded vets. They also have a much higher charity rating than Wounded Warriors. Charity rating = amount per dollar donated that actually reaches the veteran via services.
No disrespect to those who chose to give to Wounded Warrior project, however if you're wondering why your junkmail ticked way up, now you know why.
>To make matters worse, they also sold my name to other veterans organizations who now also market the hell out of me.<
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I started to contribute to a small number of charities some 15 years ago and presently my mail consists of 90% of unsolicited requests for contributions.
And then there are the many telephone calls. Luckily I have phone caller ID.