Carver says he has received 8 complaints about national fundraising group

By TERESA RESSEL
Daily Journal Staff Writer

Friday, October 24, 2008 10:00 AM CDT

The people who have been collecting money for D.A.R.E. at the local Wal-Mart stores and grocery stores are not doing it for the local D.A.R.E. Organization, according to Deputy Gary Carver.

Carver, the D.A.R.E. Instructor for Central, West County, North County, and Bismarck schools, has been told that those people are from Quantum, a fundraising company in St. Louis, who is hired and contracted by D.A.R.E. America.

Carver said Mike Dean, the state D.A.R.E. coordinator has been flooded with complaints about these people and their “high-pressure sales.” He said Dean wants nothing to do with Quantum.

Earlier this month, the group collected at Desloge Wal-Mart, Farmington Wal-Mart, and Bonne Terre Country Mart, telling people that a portion of the proceeds would go to the local D.A.R.E. Carver has received eight complaints about Quantum.

Carver said Quantum did not contact him or the Farmington D.A.R.E. officer to let them know they were raising funds. He said he is not going to get money or any free supplies from this group nor does he get anything free from D.A.R.E. America. He said even if the group followed its contract with D.A.R.E. America, the local D.A.R.E. officers would only get “a small amount.”

He feels that these people’s sales tactics are damaging D.A.R.E.’s reputation and the reputation of all who work so hard to support the D.A.R.E. program like the Lions Club, the Rotary Club and Crown Motors.

“They’re putting a bad taste in people’s mouths,” he said.

He said one mother of a past D.A.R.E. student called to give him an earful when a D.A.R.E. representative wouldn’t take her donation of $3 or any donation under $5.

Carver said the woman is unemployed right now but her daughter wanted to give a couple of dollars to D.A.R.E. because she loves the program. Carver had to explain that it wasn’t his fundraiser and at the time he didn’t know anything about it.

“I didn’t have a clue what they were doing,” he said.

A school social worker complained that one of the people followed her across the parking lot trying to get her to buy a child identification kit.

He said he has tried to call the company twice. The Sheriff talked to a company representative Tuesday and warned them to stop.

“If they are telling them that the money is going to the local D.A.R.E. they are misrepresenting,” Carver said. “At the worst, they are stealing by deceit.”

He said the way the group is operating, he would not welcome them here and would not take their money.

“I wouldn’t take any money from them if they are going to treat citizens the way they have,” he said.

He has talked to the local store managers to let them know this group is not benefiting him. They were surprised and upset, he said.

While he has not collected money at local stores, the local BackStoppers and Shop With a Cop groups have. He said if he was collecting money, he would be out there in his uniform with his D.A.R.E. truck.

D.A.R.E teaches students about drugs, peer pressure and how to say no to drugs and alcohol.

Teresa Ressel is a reporter for the Daily Journal and can be reached at 573-431-2010, ext. 179 or at tressel@dailyjournalonline.com.

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