My Nonprofit Reviews

They do good transporting equipment donated by other organizations. They are not transparent and provide no answers how their money is allotted. They say it is "all their own money". so where do donations go? Charity paperwork does not disclose that many family members are on the board, even though it is required. One example: the wife and co- founder checked " no" on the public form where it asks if she is related to anyone in the organization. Her husband is the other co- founder.

This organization seems to mainly exist to stroke the ego of it's founder. He ran for Senate in CT while wearing a jacket identifying him as a member of FDNY. He makes more of deal of being a " heroic firefighter who responded to Ground Zero" something thousands did unselfishly, than helping foreign fire departments. He was never on FDNY or in the military. Yet he wears a firefighter uniform with a Distinguished Service Cross ( which is illegal) and various other dubious medals. His story of being trapped at "Ground Zero" constantly changes and flies in the face of physics and basic firefighting practices. He has no witnesses, worked alone even though he was on a team , and told no one at the time. He solicits funds in the name of 9/11 responders but donates to none.

vforras wrote: August 30, 2013
Negative comments continue to be posted by people who have NEVER worked with the foundation or participated in any way. SERVING MEMBERS of FDNY and their THUGS continue to post non factual and completely fabricated information about both the foundation and myself. We are looking forward to the legal action that is imminent to reveal the true nature of these attacks and the extent of what these individuals have gone to. Gear Up Foundation's actions around the world speak volumes to what we have accomplished over the past 11 plus years and the baseless agenda of a handful of malcontents will not deviate us from our noble mission or the recognition that we have been given for our actions in tribute to ALL THOSE WHO PERISHED ON 911. These same individuals continue to promote this agenda on various social media sites for their own personal reasons. Our foundation has provided documentation in painstaking detail to entities who needed to confirm our operation. We have and continue to operate to the highest standards in the non-profit world. These malcontents should spend more time focused on doing their collective jobs and helping others than making up stories and promoting out and out lies that will easily be exposed very soon. The one thing to keep in mind is that we don't owe these THUGS any explanation whatsoever. We have filed every document with IRS and NYS AG and we have been in operation for over 11 years. The facts are that we are and always have operated our foundation to the highest standards. The so called "facts" are merely a compilation and manipulated by those who apparently have too much time on their collective hands. Again, with all the "FAKE" and "Constructed" complaints sent to various government agencies and others in such volume and containing NOTHING worthy of actions tells it all. I continue to put our faith in the governing agencies that oversea non-profits and trust that their clear and untainted evaluations are far more valuable to everyone who is really concerned.

The facts come from the foundations own propaganda-videos and pictures posted on the Internet. Mr. Forras any organization soliciting donations in the name of charity are obligated by pure integrity to answer legitimate questions. Your answers to my respectful questions were evasive, semi-insulting , and befuddled. You preach love but you attack anyone who has genuine concerns, hardly part of the Brotherhood. You attack members of the FDNY who you emulate and claim to support. Your definition
of 9/11 on your website is totally unrealistic. Problems in fire departments due to poverty, corruption, or indifference in no way equate to a Major Mass Casualty, Fire, Haz-Mat Event perpetuated by murderer's which is what happened on 9/11. Your only purpose seems to be to inflate your ego by replacing the American Flag with one stamped with your foundations name, in bold print,and hijacking the names of those we lost. Any true Memorial would not be festooned with corporate or organizational
logos. Whatever good you do is overshadowed by your self promoting actions and behavior.

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