Humanitarian Relief Efforts Continue Despite 2008 Presidential Election

Dear Friends:

The current national election campaign portends an expenditure of between $4 billion and $5 billion. This sum is equivalent to all “people-centered” humanitarian and development assistance from the U.S. Government to the world’s most needy people. It is likewise equal to all private American giving to international relief and is more than double the amount of private aid received by victims of Hurricane Katrina.

In our own Gulf Coast, over one million people remain displaced, nearly two years after The Hurricane. In other areas of the world, the combination of disease, endemic poverty and violence affects hundreds of millions more. These situations do not disappear during an election campaign.

In plain language, it is difficult for those of us engaged in humanitarian work to quietly observe a presidential election in which each party’s successful candidate will have to raise and spend over $500 million through the general election; a race for the U.S. Senate or a Governorship (especially in California) can cost well over $30 million; and, Congressional races and mayoral races in major cities cost well into the millions of dollars. These substantial sums of money “feed the beast” of modern campaigns (e.g. television advertising, pollsters, consultants and direct mail).

I support the democratic process, but ask you to consider matching every dollar you give to a politician or political party with a dollar to meet human needs –imagine the impact this can have on families throughout the world.

That impact underscores why it’s important to support Operation USA’s mission to provide Smart Aid to all those we can reach. Smart Aid is aid which promotes self sufficiency, is sustainable and enhances the human condition. Click here to see a sample list of Operation USA’sSmart Aid projects, which encompass all areas of development. It’s impressive what relatively modest sums can do to dramatically improve people’s lives.

Your choice in this election year, therefore, is especially important. I encourage you to participate in the electoral process and still provide help to those in need. Operation USA’s low 1.2% overhead for administration and fundraising ensures that when yougive, it gets there.

Sincerely,

Richard M. Walden
President & CEO

Operation USA Awarded Four Stars By Charity Navigator For Fourth Consecutive Year