My Nonprofit Reviews
Dianne Nethery
Review for Operation Lookout National Center for Missing Youth, Everett, WA, USA
I worked for this organization form early 1996 through late 1998 - (and was forced to volunteer for the "other" charity as part of my job description). THE ONLY PURSPOSE OF THIS CHARITY and the founder's other charity - CARING FOR OUR CHILDREN FOUNDATION, - is to support Michael and Melody Gibson ! This is achieved by extremely unethical, bordering on illegal, operation strategies for both charities. They get your attention by using logos that are very close to those of REAL charities such as the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children, the spy glass image used by St. Jude's Hospital, and the almost identical Children of the World. Although they claim an 82% success rate, this organization has absolutely no true claims of even aiding in the location of any missing child ! Their services include and intake questionaire and donated posters to send to the area of the missing child ! Period ! Give you money to a REAL charity, not this scam.
More Feedback
Would you volunteer for this group again?
No
For the time you spent, how much of an impact did you feel your work or activity had?
None
Did the organization use your time wisely?
Very Well
Would you recommend this group to a friend?
No
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
1998
***The respective organizations are separate entities with different missions, different office venues, separate accounting and reporting procedures provided by 3rd party professionals to insure the public of disclosure transparency. The common thread between the organizations is the dedication of Ms. Gibson, co-founder of each (OL in 1984 and CFOC in 2001) Ms. Gibson's heart and expertise has benefitted at-risk children and their families for many years. CFOC provides net grant funding, data entry and administrative assistance to OPERATION LOOKOUT, allowing it to remain focused solely on child search and case management. As a side note, this disgruntled lady served OL for many years until a lay-off was looming close. OPERATION LOOKOUT is in compliance with the authorities and copyright rules and regulations. OPERATION LOOKOUT'S logo was designed in 1984 showing a child in a looking glass following a 4 day search for and recovery of young Jason Redfern in Woodinville, WA. Go to www.operationlookout.org to view the logo re-designed by the Gibson's daughter, Becky Lund of Phoenix, AZ. The prior logo was designed in 1984 by Melody Gibson, Cofounder. To view the logo of Caring For our Children Foundation go to www.caringforourchildrenfoundation.org designed by friend of Susan Baliwala, one of the foundation's founding board members. Melody Gibson was the salaried executive director for OPERATION LOOKOUT from 1984 -2010. Melody Gibson became a volunteer for Caring For Our Children Foundation from 2001 to 2009; she was hired by by CFOC in 2009 as the general manager of its thrift store. In 2012 the thrift store was closed; Mrs Gibson is currently semi-retired serving PT as CFOC'S salaried Executive Director and volunteer treasurer.
