Article Contributed on: 2/29/2008 2:46:21 PM
When the doorbell rings and the teenager on the other side of the door tells you they're selling magazine subscriptions to benefit Boys & Girls Clubs of Metro Denver, they're not. BGCMD has learned that sales efforts are underway by people claiming to represent the organization, not just in Denver, but as far away as Evergreen.
"Boys & Girls Clubs of Metro Denver is not participating in any sort of magazine subscription fundraiser," stated Interim CEO Kathy Luna, who warned, "We want to alert everyone about this scam."
The Denver Better Business Bureau's Vice President of Public Affairs, Susan Liehe, added, "This is a classic scam, and this one has potentially three victims: one, the consumer (who may never receive a single magazine for their money), two, the nonprofit that isn't the beneficiary, even though their name is being used, and three, the young people themselves who have been recruited to actually go door-to-door may have no idea that the premise of the sale (i.e., "benefiting Boys & Girls Clubs") is a sham. Often they have problems being paid a fair wage for their work, too."
About Boys & Girls Clubs of Metro Denver: The mission of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Metro Denver is to inspire and enable young people, especially those from disadvantaged circumstances, to realize their full potential as productive, responsible, and caring citizens. Since 1961, BGCMD has been helping kids from tough neighborhoods stay out of trouble, stay in school, and succeed in life. Not just after school hangouts, the Clubs are places where young people come to learn, do homework, develop social skills, express themselves creatively, and participate in sports. Learn more at www.positiveplacedenver.org.