"The Goan community in Toronto, known for their generosity and compassion, are requested to come forward in this hour of need.
Cash or cheque contributions (cheques- made out to the Goan Charitable Organization (GCO) and please identify at the bottom of the cheque towards the �Tsunami Relief Fund� ) will be welcomed at the G.O.A. New Year�s Eve Dance, or via mail in a self addressed envelope to the following address by January 7, 2005:
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One hundred percent of your tax deductible donation will go to the Red Cross/WorldVision, and will help these organizations provide essential relief items such as food, clean water, tents, and blankets."
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On the face of it this seems a very laudable effort. But let us stop and think for a minute.
When we, Goa Action Watch, approached the G.O.A. & the G.C.O. to help the children of Goa against the ravages of pedophilia in 1996 (the time Freddy Peats made headlines), we were politely told that the the mandate of the G.C.O. was to help Goans in Canada only and that if they tried to help people outside Canada their legal mandate would be in jeopardy. Because of this, they could not issue tax deductible receipts. The G.C.O. told us that because of this restriction they could not reach out and help the children of Goa.
Similarly, the G.O.A. told us that they are a "social" organization and they considered the problem in Goa "political" and such the cause was outside their mandate too.
Now, it appears that their mandate has changed . . . . or maybe just an opportunity to gain some publicity in the local media?
I wish the G.O.A. / G.C.O. all the luck in their campaign. The tsunami victims need help.
Personally, I will be donating directly to the Canadian Red Cross.
Tim de Mello [EMAIL PROTECTED] CANADA
