If you get a solicitation from the Firefighters Charitable Foundation to buy tickets to a rodeo at the Cow palace to pay for “assistance programs,” do not respond. This has no relationship to Richmond firefighters.

The organization indicates that is missions is “…for the purpose of providing direct aid to victims of fire and disaster, children in need, and families. Currently, the foundation's fundraising efforts are conducted in forty-five states throughout the country,” and that its programs provide “…outreach services for individuals - provide direct aid and funds for qualified victims and families in areas such as medical care, housing, rehabilitation, food and clothing. 595 clients were served.”

A check on the California Attorney General’s Charity Search website http://partners.guidestar.org/partners/cadoj/index.jsp, shows that the organization returns only 6% of proceeds to “programs,” and those programs are not specified in any detail.