MAGNOLIA

CLIPPING SERVICE

(601) 856·0911 I (205) 758·8610

NEW ALBANY GAZETTE

NEW ALBANY, MS

Circuiation < 5923

WEEKLY

04/28/2010
1111111 1111111111111 lIIil:111 i!IIII:I

!!etter Business Bureau urges caution to donors

t'J.l In light of the storms nated" or restricted for a spe· are providing services to help
that caused major dam· cifie use. Often local churches families get back on their feet.
age across areas of Missis·
sippi Saturday, including
the deaths of 10 people in I
Yazoo City, the Be!~r Busi·
nesuureau released a few
rules of thumb for those
. who wish to donate to reo
pairs work being done .
• If you are a homeown·

er affected by the storm,

be careful about contrac· ,

tors, When approached by
a contractor. ask for proof
of licensing and bonding,
and remember that most
reputable contractors will
not demand payment up
front. Try to get at least 3-4
quotes from contractors,
and insist that payments
be made to the company,
not an individual. A signed
contract is a good idea, es·
pecially for costly jobs, If
you have access to the In·
ternet, search companies'
history at ms.bbb.org or at
bbb.org.
• If approached by a
charity for money, ask lots of
questions and ask for infor·
mation to be mailed to you
before making a decision.
Reputable charities will not
pressure you Into making a
deCision "on the spot", and
Will be able to provide you
With Information about how
they have used donations in
the past.
• If approached about
giving for specific families
it's always a good idea to
send a donation not just to
a qUickly· established bank
account, but rather to a
known charity which ac.
<::~et". contritMions "desig