Contact:
Alexxa Tavlarides Denver Rescue Mission 303.618.4004
IMMEDIATE RELEASE July 13, 2011
UNAUTHORIZED DOOR TO DOOR FUNDRAISING Solicitation Not Approved by the Denver Rescue Mission Monday, July 11, 2011 (DENVER) – The Denver Rescue Mission (DRM) today issued a warning to donors that fraudulent fundraisers are working in the Denver area. The Mission does not authorize or conduct door-to-door or street solicitations. Mission officials issued the warning to protect those wishing to support the work of the organization that money collected by these solicitors has little chance of actually helping the homeless in the city. “We take our stewardship of the donations the community generously gives to the Mission very seriously,” said Brad Meuli, President of the Denver Rescue Mission. “We are a member in good standing of the Evangelical Council for Financial Accountability (ECFA) as well as the Better Business Bureau (BBB), and adhere to good fund raising standards. We do not authorize staff, volunteers or anyone else going door-to-door or asking for money.” Recent door-to-door solicitations have been reported by community members in Curtis Park, University Hills and Stapleton, where individuals are claiming to represent the Mission and are soliciting funds. According to callers to the Mission one individual wears a shirt with a Denver Rescue Mission Logo and carries papers with a DRM logo. He reportedly states that he is a DRM volunteer canvasser requesting donations to benefit the homeless and hungry. When donations are denied, this individual becomes visibly upset and ill tempered. This person does not represent the Mission. The Denver Rescue Mission does not support, partner nor benefit from any individuals and companies claiming to raise funds through door-todoor solicitations. Community members should be careful not to give donations, money, or personal information to these individuals. They should also call the police if any aggressive or violent behavior. In a similar incident, reported in May of 2011, a citizen called DRM to report individuals going door-to-door on behalf of a company. They are asking citizens to purchase books that they claim will be delivered to children being helped in DRM programs. No funding or books have been provided to the Mission by this company.