Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: WEDNESDAY, August 3, 1994 TAG: 9408030067
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: C3 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: DAN CASEY STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: LENGTH: Short
But that's what it sounds like, judging from a warning issued by the state Division of Consumer Affairs last week.
Headlined "Warning-Unregistered Charitable Solicitation," the Blue Ridge Zoological Society of Virginia tops the list of seven organizations the state says you should be wary of supporting financially.
"The Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, Division of Consumer Affairs, cautions consumers that the following organizations have failed to comply fully with the requirements of the Virginia Solicitations of Contributions Law and, therefore, any solicitations by these organizations are in violation of the law. ... Contributors are cautioned that their contributions to such organizations may be used for non-charitable purchases," reads the statement, dated July 27.
Beth Poff, executive director of the zoological society, said a mix-up in the Division of Consumer Affairs caused her group to make the list.
The society may be procrastinators when it comes to filing annual paperwork required of all charitable organizations seeking donations in the state, but it's not one of the fly-by-night charity cheats the division is set up to guard against, she said.
She conceded the organization was late this year in filing, but it was also granted an extension until Aug. 15 to do it, Poff said.
The extension letter, signed by consumer affairs investigator Jo Freeman, was dated July 28, a day after the warning was issued.
by CNB