Friends of the Elderly

Individual approached us with laminated pages soliciting in a parking lot by Landstown Commons.

Very aggressive, won’t take no for an answer even though we donate through our local churches food pantry. After trying to tell him so, he only let us go after we agreed to take a picture of his flyer.

After this experience and seeing what other people have posted, I’m very concerned. I find it hard to believe that a genuine and charitable organization such as FOTE could be affiliated with such a person. As another comment says, I worry this man is not even connected to the organization.


Potential victims, beware. This man is aggressive, has no concept of personal space or privacy, and cannot take no for an answer.

To others who have already had to endure an encounter with this individual, you have my condolences.

To FOTE, do something about this man. Either let him go from your organization, correct his behavior, or pursue legal action against him if he is not affiliated with you. All he is doing is harming your image and chasing away potential donors. Every day he walks freely harassing folks is another day of lost donations and goodwill.

This old man solicitor was getting aggressive with people outside of the brand new ABC store at the oceanfront and wouldn’t leave me alone when I said I would find the website bc I didn’t have cash on me. I saw him harass another man who declined to donate until it escalated to yelling. What the heck is going on here? How many negative reviews does it take to put an end to his involvement with the organization??

This organization's procurement officer(the guy who comes in restaurants and finds people on the street asking for money), this man's attitude and tactics to manipulate and shame people into giving were awful to witness. People give out of goodness and generousness of their hearts and should not be harassed and guilt tripped into giving.
Breaking and crossing people's boundaries and abd when handed a 5, the guy said give at least 10 dollars. His tactics are shameful and attacking and a disservice to charity. I just pray and hope it's not a scam. It is wrong to ask for donations in this way. People in this small business were harassed into giving when in reality God loves a cheerful giver. The guy laughed at this even while wearing a God hat.
Is this guy Biblically sound or just skamming?
I hope the person who asks for donations would be replaced please. That's our prayer from our business. Just want people aware.
Thank you, bless you!

This organization's procurement officer is a public nuisance at best, a threatening bully at least, and has been observed numerous times skimming the collections he extorts. If there is any legitimacy at all to this organization, their interest would be best served by giving this guy the boot. He is infamous for intimidating women in parking lots, blocking their access to their vehicles and trying to browbeat would-be donors into submission.

Someone tell the procurement officer his tactics are aggressive and come off as threatening to a mom just getting into her car at night with her small child. He accosted me and my son at the Sam’s parking lot this evening. When I told him I would research the organization and consider giving online, he raised his voice at me telling me to take a picture of his pamphlet. He wouldn’t let me get a word in as he continued speaking over me telling me more about the organization. He gives the organization a bad image, and I would encourage its board to confront him with his behavior.

I too want to help the community by expressing disappointment in the procurement officer. However, I am not certain this aggressive hawk is actually affiliated with this charity as he claims. The man walks around parking lots knocking on car windows to solicit for money, even at night. He approaches me even when I am on the phone in my car with my child. I tell him nicely that I already donated. He stares at me as if I were wrong to say this. I have called the charity to find out if the man is even affiliated with this charity, but I haven't heard back yet.

I am posting a review to hopefully make all who are involved aware of a growing problem with FOTE’s procurement officer. This man is so well known in the Virginia Beach area for randomly harassing the public for donations. He has blocked people from pulling out of their parking spaces in public parking lots, followed women around and into their places of business, and recently it was posted on a social media website, a bystander witnessed their procurement officer yelling at an elderly woman at a grocery store parking lot. I personally have had this man block me and tell me he needed to talk to me and I needed to listen as I was trying to pull out of my spot to pick up my ten year old son. I post this b/c I fear his behavior negatively impacts FOTE: a seemingly wonderful, charitable organization. Currently there are over 60 comments made on a post complaining about their procurement officer on a specific social media website. FOTE surely needs to address the situation.

Helping to provide services such as food, clothing, toys,school supplies, pampers, referals to shelters and churches that provide assistance with utilities. They also provide prayer and Christian counseling.

Participated in their back to school program. Received school supplies and back for my kids. They do wonderful work!

Your solicitor in my opinion is persistent, not aggressive. I believe his cause justifies his effort...Keep up the good work.

One of your solicitors is very aggressive and harassing. Numerous people in the community are posting awareness of the unbecoming tactics used to collect donations for your charity. Unfortunately, you are getting less donations and businesses in the strip malls he frequents are losing business because women are choosing to go somewhere else when they see him. His safety is also of concern. There is a good chance he will approach the wrong person.

I just wanted to share my gratitude for the assistance I received through FOTE Outreach Programs. I had just moved into my apartment after experiencing homelessness and was living in a hotel. I was in need of supplies for my home~ simple things like toilet paper and cleaning supplies. The offered me those supplies I needed. Upon delivering the supplies to me the saw that I did not have much furniture and asked me if I had a way of securing those things I needed. To my embarrassment my son announced that he was sleeping on an air mattress. Within a week a bed for my son was sent to me; along with a sofa and a dining room table w/ chairs. I am grateful that that they gave me the assistance that I needed. This is truly a wonderful organization. Thank you.

I would advise your people not to solicit near ATMs,especially during nighttime. There are fewer things more intimidating than one's having a solicitor, FOTE or otherwise, approach him at an ATM during nighttime. This could prove to be more hazardous to the solicitor. Keep up the charitable work but please limit your soliciting to daytime.

Wonderful people! They give me a Thanksgiving basket yearly! I love their personality and spirits! Just a great organization! Down to earth and sweet!

I recently experience a situation that led to me becoming homeless. Even though they didn't have accomodations for me; they contacted local resources for me and helped me obtain entry into a local shelter program. Additionally they are continuing to work with me to locate affordable housing and assistance with applications to additional resources and services. They are dedicated to help those in need.

I helped with the Thanksgiving deliveries to the Outreach clientele for Friends of the Elderly. The joy that I saw on their faces was priceless. I feel that the food that was provided to each family was needed and appreciated and brought much joy. The hard work that was given by the foundation and the many supporters of their holiday food program was truely inspirational and is a needed component to the program as there are many families who are in need. The staff went above and beyond any expectations that the families may have had. I personally helped deliver food baskets to over 25 families right here in the Hampton Road community.

Things were really hard for me this Thanksgiving. My husband had lost his job and really were in a financial bid. It is simply amazing how something like a little Thanksgiving cheer can do wonders to lift our spirits. We were grateful for the food basket that we received from them. Our family sincerely appreciates the kindness and generousity that was shown to our family.

Ms Cleo Rush is a great organization, here's my story, almost twenty years ago, being a single parent, i became disabled on my job, my 2 children were taken by defacs and were placed in foster care i was very depressed at that time, someone told me go see Ms Rush, through Mrs. Rush's organization and her family and staff, i was given affordable housing and counseling and through the power of our Creator, my children were returned to me in 30 days!!!!!!! A Miracle! yes a Miracle! through the next ten years my children and i prospered immensly!! FOTE, is a Great nonprofit organization, they have Great staff and a Great leader in Ms RUSH! anyone that wants to see Miracles happen to transform your family, go see Ms Rush and FOTE Please donate to this great organization, and see Miracles! transformed, thank God for giving Ms Rush the gifts that she shares! all i can say is thank you!! your adopted son James Harvey