My Nonprofit Reviews
John McDonnell
Review for Mercy Ships International, Lindale, TX, USA
I have volunteered as a relief Chief Officer and Captain with Mercy Ships for the past ten years. I would not work for a charity that allowed others to live a life of luxury with my free labor. I have always been impressed with the skill and dedication of the management and the volunteers. I feel comfortable that my donations are well used. The cost of maintaining and operating a ship in compliance with international regulations is very high, but Mercy Ships has done an outstanding job of keeping the ship safe without squandering its resources.
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I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...
In my 45 years of commerical ship operation, I have never had a reward like seeing the difference Mercy Ships has made in the lives of the people they serve. I have danced with those who were blind a month earlier, and huged patients who have undergone life transforming surgery. I have donated my blood and visited with the recipients. The medical staff, all volunteers, are amazing.
If I had to make changes to this organization, I would...
Ask regulatory bodies and auditors for either a special dispensation from some of the expenses or for pro-bono inspections and audits. I would try to increase public awareness of the work by increased exposure to the media. they used to have their ships travel to Europe and North America for fundraising and volunteer recruitment, but now they stay in Africa all year.
