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Published Monday, April 20, 2009 in Local
Scam using name of local charity
By Jeff Bishop
The Times-Herald
The recession and its accompanying unemployment can make some people desperate, which is one reason why scams are on the increase.
One local scam involves a woman and child going door-to-door in the Sharpsburg area, soliciting donations for the local Community Welcome House shelter for victims of domestic violence.
"We don't solicit door-to-door," said Linda Kirkpatrick, executive director of Welcome House. "That's not how we raise money."
Community Welcome House reported the scam to the Coweta County Sheriff's Office Friday, as soon as the group discovered it was going on.
Morgan Reese, house manager for Welcome House, found out about the scam from a neighbor in the Barrington Farms subdivision.
"A neighbor called me and said that someone came to her door, trying to get money for the Community Welcome House, but they didn't have any paperwork," said Reese.
She said the neighbor knew Reese worked at the Welcome House, so she mentioned her by name, which drew only a blank stare from the solicitor.
That's when she contacted Reese, and Reese contacted the sheriff's office.
"Community Welcome House does not go door to door, asking for money," said Reese.
The group maintains a Web site, www.communitywelcomehouse.org, and accepts donations at P.O. Box 1631, Newnan, GA.
It also raises funding through events such as Belk Charity Day and Newnan's Dancing Stars.
The group assists women and children who are victims of domestic violence. The hotline number is 770-304-0966.
Last year the organization provided 134 women and children with a temporary "safe haven" and assisted an additional 314 through its outreach program.
"Staying at the Welcome House is free," said Kirkpatrick.
If anyone suspects that they are being solicited in a scam, they should contact local law enforcement.
Scams on the rise include credit card scams, mortgage modification scams, and scams claiming to arrange stimulus package grants.
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Its disheartning to know that money that could have gone to the minority community was stolen.
Posted by Ezekel Harold at 10:55 PM
I was comparing the soliciting of funds like the tv evangelist that is asking for money in the name of the Lord. Obviously above your mentality.
Posted by Dash Riprock at 10:38 PM
Dyark and Riprock you need to keep your stupid comments to yourself. I don't see how they compair. Reese isn't asking for money it is some low life trying to cheat someone else in the name of The Welcome House. Don't leave comments that son't make any sense no one cares about what you have to say!
Posted by walker at 9:30 PM
I agree with ya brother its like them tv evangelist wantin ya to send some seed money.
Posted by Dash Riprock at 7:50 AM
This lady choose to put her name in the paper. So how can the newspaper be at fault? Trust me if she didn't want it out there she could have requested. And its pretty hard to find the community welcome house. About the only people who do are law enforcement and the few people that live in the house.
Posted by C at 8:21 AM
Dyark is most likely an idiot. One that would never scam anyone or give to this charity either. Investigate it and see where the donations go.
Posted by Dyark at 4:59 AM
The newnan times herald should be ashamed of them self's this lady works with people who want to harm women and children and they published her name and where she lives not only puting her and her family at risk but also the other families and children that live there too... shame on you times herald
Posted by joe at 9:41 PM
Dyark, you are an idiot. Learn to read and not assume the worst of people all the time.
Posted by Liz at 8:35 PM
Dyark you ever considered maybe she isnt the only person working. Think before you complain
Posted by Jesse at 8:14 PM
The Community Welcome House would never go door to door to get donations. Someone is out there giving Community Welcome House a bad name. People are getting ripped off, that is the big factor here. People making comments about where someone lives or how much money they make is ridiculous. It could have happened in anyone’s neighborhood. She was just trying to protect people, times are tough enough without someone taking advantage in unsuspecting neighborhoods. They could show up somewhere else tomorrow. Thanks Ms Reese. Keep up the good work!
Posted by Sandy at 5:47 PM
Dyark you need to get your facts straight. The article is about a SCAM not where someone lives. She was trying to let people know the welcome house doesn't go door to door for donbations! Thanks Reese for alerting the community!
Posted by walker at 4:48 PM
I continue to be mind boggled at some of the comments. Why does any issue always have to come back to how much money a person has or does not have? The whole class warfare will never make sense to me. I have worked hard all my life, but will never be rich. So what? i I don't care what you earn or how much money you have or don't have. Just let me keep more of what I can earn. I will support charities I want to. Many folks work for charities for free. Hello!
Posted by Sarah at 9:36 AM
Reese can live anywhere that she so chooses just like every other hard working American. Who's to say that she isn't married and there are two incomes in the home and quite possible that they have paid for their home in its entirety? You are only assuming things. It sounds as if you are just looking for something. The point is that there is a scam going on and the solicitor got caught in that neighborhood.
Posted by Concerned Citizen at 8:54 AM
Your mindless blather is uncalled for, as this speaks nothing of what the workers spouse does for a living so that they can afford to live there. The scam artist probably thought he was safe going to that subdivision to prey on the unknowing, not realizing that we have a pretty close knit community here
Posted by Armchair Vigilante at 7:33 AM
Someone who "works" for a charity can afford to live there? I would hope they are not getting paid by the "charity" enough to live there. "That said" Thieves are everywhere looking for easy money and they are not all in insurance and banking.
Posted by Dyark at 10:55 PM
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walker
4/24/2009
Link To This Comment
You wouldn't have anything to worry about you probaly wouldn't give a red cent to charity.
Posted by Dash Riprock at 10:57 PM