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The Red Cross has turned to Edelman PR Worldwide in the wake
of the controversy triggered by its decision to withhold $264
million of the $564 million pledged or contributed to its
Liberty Fund set up for victims of terror attacks.
Darren Irby, director of disaster PA at the Red Cross, said
the group hired Edelman because it was swamped by media inquiries.
Red Cross ad says organization
has responsibility for 'future terrorist threats.' |
Leslie Dach, vice chairman/ general manager of Edelman's
Washington, D.C., office, is leading the account. He is assisted
by Jere Sullivan, executive VP/deputy GM in D.C., and Loretta
Ucelli, who heads Edelman's crisis group in New York.
The Red Cross maintains that contributions made to the Liberty
Fund also were intended to deal with future terror victims.
President Bernadine Healy, who is stepping down at yearend,
told Congress on Nov. 6 that it would be fiscally irresponsible
to just cut a check for the families of victims of Sept. 11
without putting aside funds for future attacks.
The organization points out that Liberty Fund ads stated
that the "American Red Cross has a responsibility to
participate in civilian preparedness for future terrorist
threats. This is a focus of our fund raising and our programs.
The aftermath of Sept. 11 will be with us well into the future."
Congress doesn't buy that pitch. Rep. Billy Tauzin (R-LA),
chairman of the House Committee on Energy and Commerce, accused
the organization of misleading donors who believed they were
helping victims of the World Trade Center, Pentagon attacks
and the Pennsylvania hijacked plane crash.
Bart Stupak (D-MI) accused the Red Cross of taking advantage
of a very tragic situation.
New York Attorney General Elliot Spitzer said the monies
in the Liberty Funds should be distributed equitably so than
no victim is left unassisted.
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