|
Red Cross Sends e-mails (finally) to Prior Donors
by Rick Christ Last year I made a test contribution at redcross.org, mainly to test their online contribution processing system. Admittedly, it wasn't of a size to warrant their immediate attention, but I was surprised that I had not heard from them since. In December, I reported here that they had hired direct response agency Huntsinger & Jeffers to begin re-soliciting prior donors like me. It must have worked, because on June 6 I received the following e-mail: Subject: Disastrous Weather Predicted The experts at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) are anticipating storms, high winds and flooding throughout the hurricane season, which ends November 30. The forecast for the 2001 season: 5 to 7 hurricanes, of which 2 will be major. According to experts, there's a strong chance that one of these major storms will make a direct hit to the U.S. coastline. Because of the generosity of friends like you who have made an online gift at http://redcross-donationform.0mm.com/ARC014021+200300102, the American Red Cross Disaster Relief Fund allows us to respond when hurricanes and other disasters strike." The e-mail also listed the names designated for Atlantic storms this season, and mentioned that the first, Allison, had just made landfall in Texas. That turned out to be a major disaster across the eastern US over a two week period, so the e-mail was certainly timely. I question the need for the Red Cross to use such a provocative, almost apocalyptic headline, when in fact the prediction is that the Atlantic hurricane season will be average. But, at least they are sending e-mails asking for money. Are YOU? July 2001 | |
|
|
|
