John Feal Good Foundation Certified 501 (c)(3)?

[nlarosa]

What is Certified 501? Is John Feal Good Foundation a "real" Charity for first responders?

[Gravy]

Why not ask John Feal?

Donations
100% of the operating income for the FealGood Foundation is provided by undesignated contributions. You can help improve the lives of 9/11 first responders and their families by supporting the FealGood Foundation and making your tax deductible gift today.

Donations are accepted via Paypal (https://www.paypal.com/) (please direct payments to feal13@aol.com) or by sending a Personal Check to the mailing address listed below.

Credit Cards (Visa/Mastercard/Discover) can be accepted via phone only at (631) 724-3320.

FealGood Foundation
144 Shenandoah Blvd
Nesconset, New York 11767

If you wish to contact us with questions please send an email to feal13@aol.com

Edit: or whoever is handling questions there.
John Feal is scheduled to donate his kidney on August 30, 2007
http://www.fealgoodfoundation.com/Bulletin.htmlHere's wishing him good health.

[Alt+F4]

From the New York State Attorney General's office:

New Yorkers donate billions to charity every year. The Attorney General's Charities Bureau is responsible for supervising charitable organizations to insure that donors and beneficiaries of those charities are protected from unscrupulous practices in the solicitation and management of charitable assets. The Bureau also supervises the activity of foundations and other charities to insure that their funds and other property devoted to charitable purposes are properly used.

The Charities Registry Search feature is currently under maintainance so we can't check right now if the Fealgood Foundation is registered in New York State. I'll try again tomorrow.

But as you can see from the page Gravy posted, no indication of who specifically donations go to or this organization's legal status.

Linky: http://www.oag.state.ny.us/charities/charities.html


Also, it's not mentioned in this database of New York Charities
http://www.nycharities.org/index.asp

[CptColumbo]

If you look on the FDNY site you can also find links to other charities. I don't think they can comment on the legitimacy of a charity, but the union probalby endorses a few.

http://fdnyfirezone.org/contact_us/

[jhunter1163]

501(c)(3) means that an organization is registered with the IRS as a nonprofit organization and that contributions to the organization are tax-deductible.

Since the Feal Good Foundation states that contributions are tax deductible, it would appear to be a 501(c)(3) non-profit. Of course, that says nothing about its legitimacy or how much (if any) of its receipts go to first responders. However, I believe that 501(c)(3) charities are required to disclose that percentage if asked. If someone really wants to know, they should ask.

[T.A.M.]

Their description seems to indicate that their primary role is to help the first responders effected medically by the 9/11 dust.

TAM:)

[nlarosa]

501(c)(3) means that an organization is registered with the IRS as a nonprofit organization and that contributions to the organization are tax-deductible.

Since the Feal Good Foundation states that contributions are tax deductible, it would appear to be a 501(c)(3) non-profit. Of course, that says nothing about its legitimacy or how much (if any) of its receipts go to first responders. However, I believe that 501(c)(3) charities are required to disclose that percentage if asked. If someone really wants to know, they should ask.

thanks for the info, i just e-mailed Feal to see that information. I hope i get a reply back.

[Gravy]

All organ donors are amazing, but this is a particulary striking story.

Feal: "Back in September of 2006, Paul Grossfield went to my website. He said, 'I think what you're doing is phenomenal. By the way, I'm on the kidney donor transplant list. Can you link me to your website?'"

"I said, 'No, but you can have mine.'"

http://www.liveleak.com/view?i=97b_1176417880&p=1

Feal said there was a 1-in-30,000 chance that he and Grossfield would be compatible. They were.

Wow.

[~enigma~]

All organ donors are amazing, but this is a particulary striking story.

Feal: "Back in September of 2006, Paul Grossfield went to my website. He said, 'I think what you're doing is phenomenal. By the way, I'm on the kidney donor transplant list. Can you link me to your website?'"

"I said, 'No, but you can have mine.'"

http://www.liveleak.com/view?i=97b_1176417880&p=1

Feal said there was a 1-in-30,000 chance that he and Grossfield would be compatible. They were.

Wow.
Stunning...I am speechless

[T.A.M.]

That is a pretty incredible story.

TAM:)

[RedIbis]

Dare I say it's a feel good story?

[~enigma~]

Dare I say it's a feel good story?
Puns are over to the left :)

[Digest]

All organ donors are amazing, but this is a particulary striking story.

Feal: "Back in September of 2006, Paul Grossfield went to my website. He said, 'I think what you're doing is phenomenal. By the way, I'm on the kidney donor transplant list. Can you link me to your website?'"

"I said, 'No, but you can have mine.'"

http://www.liveleak.com/view?i=97b_1176417880&p=1

Feal said there was a 1-in-30,000 chance that he and Grossfield would be compatible. They were.

Wow.

After watching that and reading some other stories about him - In my mind I dont doubt that he has the best intentions on any money given to him.

[LashL]

Strangely enough, some Loose With the Truth idiot viewed this thread as another excuse to try to bash Gravy by claiming that Mark was bashing Mr. Feal. A twoofer with the wholly inapt name "mensa0217" started a thread called "Gravy Now Making Remarks Against Another Hero, John Feal next victim of Gravy's lies?", with a link to this thread.

Within a few minutes of starting that stupid thread, "mensa0217" seemed to have realized that he'd screwed up but instead of admitting that he screwed up, he tried to claim that his starting that thread resulted in a change of heart on this thread (despite the fact that this thread and everything in it had been written prior to him starting his misguided thread).

A couple of posters (our own ~enigma~ was one of them) commented on how wrong mensa0217 was, and then, poof.... the entire thread went down the Dylan Avery memory hole.

It's a bizarre world the twoofers inhabit.

Even more bizarre that the Loose With the Truth gang deletes threads in their entirety without warning, without explanation, and just tries to pretend that they never existed.

[~enigma~]

Strangely enough, some Loose With the Truth idiot viewed this thread as another excuse to try to bash Gravy by claiming that Mark was bashing Mr. Feal. A twoofer with the wholly inapt name "mensa0217" started a thread called "Gravy Now Making Remarks Against Another Hero, John Feal next victim of Gravy's lies?", with a link to this thread.

Within a few minutes of starting that stupid thread, "mensa0217" seemed to have realized that he'd screwed up but instead of admitting that he screwed up, he tried to claim that his starting that thread resulted in a change of heart on this thread (despite the fact that this thread and everything in it had been written prior to him starting his misguided thread).

A couple of posters (our own ~enigma~ was one of them) commented on how wrong mensa0217 was, and then, poof.... the entire thread went down the Dylan Avery memory hole.

It's a bizarre world the twoofers inhabit.

Even more bizarre that the Loose With the Truth gang deletes threads in their entirety without warning, without explanation, and just tries to pretend that they never existed.
It was deleted as was mensaboy. But thanks for pointing my short lived post. BTW one of the others was the lady with the pretty icon above your post :)

[Gravy]

Thanks for getting my back.

What I want to know is, if the Loosers are reading this site, why aren't they learning?

[LashL]

It was deleted as was mensaboy. But thanks for pointing my short lived post. BTW one of the others was the lady with the pretty icon above your post :)

Unfortunately, I didn't see the post by the woman with the pretty avatar above. It must have been posted just before the thread disappeared down the Loose With the Truth memory hole. I did get screen shots of the short-lived thread up until moments before its demise, though. :)

[~enigma~]

Thanks for getting my back.

What I want to know is, if the Loosers are reading this site, why aren't they learning?
You posted a really good link (frankly I was floored by it) and you said nothing wrong so for those LCF guys watching...I HAD MY LEADERS BACK. Just send my payment to enigmanwoliaison@gmail.com and I accept paypal :)

Who said mensaboy was a looser?

[~enigma~]

Unfortunately, I didn't see the post by the woman with the pretty avatar above. It must have been posted just before the thread disappeared down the Loose With the Truth memory hole. I did get screen shots of the thread up until moments before its demise, though. :)
Just to preserve the historical record :)

[Sword_Of_Truth]

Is John Feal a troofer?

[Digest]

the thread was deleted - and yes both enigma and I pointed out the stupidity of the claim - along with some LCF people -who actually read this thread- joining in saying gravy was not attacking

I dont think it was deleted to hide anything - i think it was deleted because it was obviously completely stupid and baseless.

[nlarosa]

Is John Feal a troofer?

I e-mailed Feal with the question "why is your foundation affiliated with the truth movement wearechange.org, the speakers for your event have all claimed the FDNY were "in on it" why do you affiliate with them? "

Feal reply was "As for the truth movement,there are some great people asking hard questions and I support anyone who seeks the truth and justice.So that is my reason for affiliating with them."

I am not sure if he is a troofer, my guess is yes but i am still not sure on his foundation, he does have a tax id but is not listed in nycharities.org

but i did find some info on this website...

melissadata.com/Lookups/np.asp?zip=20-5187809&submit1=Submit

Sorry I can not post links yet

[LashL]

the thread was deleted - and yes both enigma and I pointed out the stupidity of the claim - along with some LCF people -who actually read this thread- joining in saying gravy was not attacking

I dont think it was deleted to hide anything - i think it was deleted because it was obviously completely stupid and baseless.

Actually, at that forum, they delete threads specifically to hide the fact that they are stupid and baseless.

[~enigma~]

Actually, at that forum, they delete threads specifically to hide the fact that they are stupid and baseless.
That works for me though :)

[Sword_Of_Truth]

I e-mailed Feal with the question "why is your foundation affiliated with the truth movement wearechange.org, the speakers for your event have all claimed the FDNY were "in on it" why do you affiliate with them? "

Feal reply was "As for the truth movement,there are some great people asking hard questions and I support anyone who seeks the truth and justice.So that is my reason for affiliating with them."

I am not sure if he is a troofer, my guess is yes but i am still not sure on his foundation, he does have a tax id but is not listed in nycharities.org

but i did find some info on this website...

melissadata.com/Lookups/np.asp?zip=20-5187809&submit1=Submit

Sorry I can not post links yet

Giving away his kidney is still impressive.

[nlarosa]

I can't find this charity anywhere not

give.org/
newyork.bbb.org/home2.aspx
nycharities.org/index.asp

no where to be found... a tax id don't mean anything, anyone can pay 30 dollars a month and get a tax ID from what i have read.

If he is giving his kidney away good health to him but there is no way to really find any info on this that isn't bias in my opinion.

Beacause he is affiliated with the "truth movement" and what i have learned about them I don't trust this charity untill i can get real proof. The speakers for the event he is holding doesn't make sense to me if this even is for the first responders

[SpaceMonkeyZero]

I think it's time for someone to contact This Guy (http://www.oag.state.ny.us/) for an investigation into their claims.

[Swing Dangler]

I can't find this charity anywhere not

give.org/
newyork.bbb.org/home2.aspx
nycharities.org/index.asp

no where to be found... a tax id don't mean anything, anyone can pay 30 dollars a month and get a tax ID from what i have read.

If he is giving his kidney away good health to him but there is no way to really find any info on this that isn't bias in my opinion.

Beacause he is affiliated with the "truth movement" and what i have learned about them I don't trust this charity untill i can get real proof. The speakers for the event he is holding doesn't make sense to me if this even is for the first responders

Don't some "Truthers" use this same tactic to prove the passengers or hijackers are still alive because they didn't show up on the death index list?

[Disbelief]

Don't some "Truthers" use this same tactic to prove the passengers or hijackers are still alive because they didn't show up on the death index list?

So, no one should research a charity that they might give their money to? They should just donate because it sounds good?

[Viper Daimao]

Don't some "Truthers" use this same tactic to prove the passengers or hijackers are still alive because they didn't show up on the death index list?

You mean the Victim death index list? Perhaps you can see why the hijackers would not show up on that list, while a charity should show up on the state list of charities.

[SpaceMonkeyZero]

Don't some "Truthers" use this same tactic to prove the passengers or hijackers are still alive because they didn't show up on the death index list?

Let's see you try deducting your "tax deductible donation" to a charity that doesn't exist according to the state.

If they're not registered as a charity, then they're not on the list. Plain and simple.

Time to talk with Mr Cuomo: http://www.oag.state.ny.us/contact.html

[Gravy]

I can't find this charity anywhere not

give.org/
newyork.bbb.org/home2.aspx
nycharities.org/index.asp

no where to be found... a tax id don't mean anything, anyone can pay 30 dollars a month and get a tax ID from what i have read.

If he is giving his kidney away good health to him but there is no way to really find any info on this that isn't bias in my opinion.You can ask some of the foundation's board members. Their legal counsel is Attorney Frank Andrea:
Andrea & Towsky
320 Old County Rd
Garden City, NY 11530
(516) 739-0081

Board member and attorney Sean Riordan gives his email address: seanr@brecherfishman.com (seanr@brecherfishman.com)

Beacause he is affiliated with the "truth movement" and what i have learned about them I don't trust this charity untill i can get real proof. The speakers for the event he is holding doesn't make sense to me if this even is for the first respondersI believe that Feal has been an advocate for first responder health care long before any association with the truthers. The September event that the "truth movement" is holding is not John Feal's event. He is only a scheduled speaker, and I assume he'd be talking about WTC worker health issues, not "Dick Cheney ordered a stand down." I don't know how likely it is that he'll make his scheduled appearance nine days after his surgery.

[peteweaver]

Thanks for getting my back.

What I want to know is, if the Loosers are reading this site, why aren't they learning?

Theres an old saying; you can lead a horse to water, but you cannot make him drink...

That said, the more 'water', the better.

[T.A.M.]

This is the issue;

Now that LC and other elements of the truth movement are blurring the lines with their support of the 1st responders (and good for them if their motives are legit, shame on them if they do so to deflect criticism of their nonsense), you will find many more groups and people who would normally not give them the time of day, but now, because they have linked themselves to a LEGITIMATE cause, will associate with them.

I unfortunately suspect alot of this support of the first responders is to make the waters murky, as an attempt to make their agenda harder to hit, without shrapnel hitting the "1st responder" issue. When that happens, watch how quick they are to state "how dare you insult or attack the heroes of that day".

I hope I am wrong.

TAM

[Spindrift]

I e-mailed him a few days ago specifically asking if the Foundation is a 501 (c)3 and never received a response.

[Cl1mh4224rd]

I unfortunately suspect alot of this support of the first responders is to make the waters murky, as an attempt to make their agenda harder to hit, without shrapnel hitting the "1st responder" issue. When that happens, watch how quick they are to state "how dare you insult or attack the heroes of that day".


Remember the rare mention of insurgents in Iraq using civilian crowds and children as shields?

Yeah...

That's what comes to mind when I hear truthers complaining about being taken to task for, so they say, "sticking up for the first responders".

There's no reason they can't genuinely care and want to help these folks, but... many of them are most definitely using it as shield to deflect criticism of their movement in general.

[Sword_Of_Truth]

Theres an old saying; you can lead a horse to water, but you cannot make him drink...

That said, the more 'water', the better.

Speaking as an ex-NWO conspiracy nut; yes, more water.

For those of us horses who can drink, it's like booster-shots against stupid.

[nlarosa]

I e-mailed him a few days ago specifically asking if the Foundation is a 501 (c)3 and never received a response.

I looked up the Tax ID # and it is 501 (c)3

I emailed Board member and attorney Sean Riordan about my concerns about not finding this charity anywhere here

give.org/
newyork.bbb.org/home2.aspx
nycharities.org/index.asp

he replied "As for the question in your email regarding the BBB’s, those organizations are enrollment based and the FealGood Foundation has not enrolled in them at this point."

"As for NYCharities, the FealGood Foundation headquarters is located in Long Island, NY and is therefore not a New York City Charity."

I guess the next step would be to see records to see how much goes to the responders?

This charity may be legit but because they are involved with the truth movement and who they have for speakers at the event i am skeptical

[Horatius]

I looked up the Tax ID # and it is 501 (c)3

I emailed Board member and attorney Sean Riordan about my concerns about not finding this charity anywhere here

give.org/
newyork.bbb.org/home2.aspx
nycharities.org/index.asp

he replied "As for the question in your email regarding the BBB’s, those organizations are enrollment based and the FealGood Foundation has not enrolled in them at this point."

"As for NYCharities, the FealGood Foundation headquarters is located in Long Island, NY and is therefore not a New York City Charity."

I guess the next step would be to see records to see how much goes to the responders?

This charity may be legit but because they are involved with the truth movement and who they have for speakers at the event i am skeptical


There's a site you can look up details about 501(c)3 charities. Look at:

http://www.guidestar.org

You need to register, but registration is free, for the basic information at least.

On this site, they give this info:


FEAL GOOD FOUNDATION INC
144 SHENANDOAH BLVD N
% JOHN FEAL
NESCONSET , NY 11767

GENERAL INFORMATION

* This organization is a 501(c)(3) Public Charity.
* This organization is required to file an IRS Form 990 or 990-EZ.
* Contributions are deductible, as provided by law.



But they don't have any copies of the Form 990 that lists their operating budgets and what not. When was this foundation created? If it's new, they may not have filed such a form yet.

[SpitfireIX]

I looked up the Tax ID # and it is 501 (c)3

I emailed Board member and attorney Sean Riordan about my concerns about not finding this charity anywhere here

give.org/
newyork.bbb.org/home2.aspx
nycharities.org/index.asp

he replied "As for the question in your email regarding the BBB’s, those organizations are enrollment based and the FealGood Foundation has not enrolled in them at this point."

"As for NYCharities, the FealGood Foundation headquarters is located in Long Island, NY and is therefore not a New York City Charity."

I guess the next step would be to see records to see how much goes to the responders?

This charity may be legit but because they are involved with the truth movement and who they have for speakers at the event i am skeptical


Mr. Riordan is mistaken; NYCharities is for charities in New York State; possibly he and others involved with the Fealgood Foundation were confused by the capital "NYC" at the beginning of the organization's name; I initially wondered about this myself.

The Fealgood Foundation is not listed in GuideStar.org (http://www.guidestar.org); the only reference is for the Gear Up Foundation, which lists Fealgood as a partner organization. According to the information available from GuideStar without a paid subscription, Gear Up, which was also founded by a former Ground Zero first responder with health problems, has annual income less than $25,000, four board members, no employees, and 11-20 volunteers. I strongly suspect that Fealgood is similarly situated.

As for the Better Business Bureau, note that membership is not free; a figure I've seen quoted for dues in one area is $350 per year; this could well be higher in NYC. That's money that's not going for program activities or assistance.

So, while there is every reason to believe that these are legitimate charitable organizations, because they are so small, they are more likely to support ideas outside the mainstream, such as September 11 conspiracism.

[Alferd_Packer]

Puns are over to the left :)

As opposed to the left kidney

[SpitfireIX]

There's a site you can look up details about 501(c)3 charities. Look at:

http://www.guidestar.org

You need to register, but registration is free, for the basic information at least.

On this site, they give this info:





But they don't have any copies of the Form 990 that lists their operating budgets and what not. When was this foundation created? If it's new, they may not have filed such a form yet.


Ah, you found it with a space in between; that's not how it is on FealGood's web site.

[Viper Daimao]

Don't some "Truthers" use this same tactic to prove the passengers or hijackers are still alive because they didn't show up on the death index list?

I think you may have had more of a point here than I gave you credit for, and I dismissed it too hastily. My apologizes.

[Swing Dangler]

I think you may have had more of a point here than I gave you credit for, and I dismissed it too hastily. My apologizes.

Apology accepted. Have a wonderful weekend.

[Mooseman]

Guide is always a year or so late in proviving 990 info. This is probably a new org. Give it some time. They catch up.

[Oxigen]

John Feal apparently wasn't a great match for Paul Grossfeld. According to the latest news I've heard, Feal donated his kidney to a recipient, whose spouse donated a kidney to another recipient. In turn that spouse donated a kidney to Paul Grossfeld. Hopefully three lives have been saved. John Feal should be applauded.

[~enigma~]

John Feal apparently wasn't a great match for Paul Grossfeld. According to the latest news I've heard, Feal donated his kidney to a recipient, whose spouse donated a kidney to another recipient. In turn that spouse donated a kidney to Paul Grossfeld. Hopefully three lives have been saved. John Feal should be applauded.
I agree thet Feal did a wonderful thing.

[Oxigen]

Thanks Enigima. Appreciated the respnse.:) (just learning how to use the smilies,so it mightn't be appropriate):jaw-dropp

[nlarosa]

I agree thet Feal did a wonderful thing.

I think so too

[nlarosa]

But I just don't understand why he is a speaker for wearetruth and the truth movement event. :confused: Mostly everyone on that list said the government and FDNY AND NYPD were "in on it" with no facts and the movement upsets victims family members on the 11th ever year yelling "911 was an inside job" at the grave site of our love ones. No one wants to hear that the people we trust were in on something like 911 with no facts :( Firemen had their friends die there and they gotta hear that junk to pay their respects to their brothers... :( its so sad i wish these people would wake up and see who they are really hurting, our nation, FDNY, NYPD and other fellow New Yorkers.

[Gravy]

Update (http://www.fealgoodfoundation.com/Message.html) from John Feal:

...I wanted to let you all know that I've now been discharged and I'm recovering from the recent kidney swap surgery.

As some of you already know, I was rushed to a local hospital only a few hours after I was discharged because of some blockage that I was feeling inside.

Today, I was able to get an emergency appointment at NY Presbyterian Hospital, where I had my surgery. My surgeon examined me and confirmed that I have developed a hernia since the operation.

I am now scheduled for a hernia operation on October 15, 2007 at NY Presbyterian Hospital. Until that time, I will have to wear a support belt to contain the hernia.

Yes, it's all been a very painful experience, but I want you all to know, that I'd do it all over again.

Thanks for your continued support.

John Feal

[ref]

I appreciate his kidney donation more than anything.

That's why it's so hard to determine what to think about statements of his supporting the truth movement, like this one:

I wish to thank everyone for their support and well wishes. While I got a chance to make a difference in 3 lives last week while risking my own health, I want you all to know I will not stop there. From 9/11 responders to Americans across the board who need help while our federal govt sits idle, I will stress the message of compassion, love and caring for those less fortunate. I will also continue to be a big pain in the ass to those who should be helping and are not. Jon Gold you and the truth movement ROCK, ROCK, ROCK and if anyone needs my other kidney they can have it.


Sincerely,
John Feal
FealGood Foundation Founder
9/11 Responder Advocate

(bolding not mine)

http://www.911blogger.com/node/11044

[Parsman]

But I just don't understand why he is a speaker for wearetruth and the truth movement event. :confused: Mostly everyone on that list said the government and FDNY AND NYPD were "in on it" with no facts and the movement upsets victims family members on the 11th ever year yelling "911 was an inside job" at the grave site of our love ones. No one wants to hear that the people we trust were in on something like 911 with no facts :( Firemen had their friends die there and they gotta hear that junk to pay their respects to their brothers... :( its so sad i wish these people would wake up and see who they are really hurting, our nation, FDNY, NYPD and other fellow New Yorkers.

Actually this illustrates a point most truthers seem not to get. Life, the universe, human beings, we are all way more complicated than you might hope. It is possible for a human being to be a decent or sensible person in one walk of life but be confused and wrong in another. Sometimes it might seem that to your "common sense" things shouldn't happen that way in the real world, but the evidence shows that is how they did happen. Things are compicated and there are no easy answers.

[uk_dave]

and if anyone needs my other kidney they can have it.

Doesn't he need it?

[SpitfireIX]

Doesn't he need it?


Yes; if he donates his other kidney (which I strongly suspect would not be allowed), he'll have to start having regular dialysis for the rest of his life. This statement greatly magnifies a concern I had privately, but didn't mention, when I read of his first donation. I was afraid that part (though certainly not all) of the reason that he was donating a kidney was that he didn't expect to live much longer. :(

[~enigma~]

Actually this illustrates a point most truthers seem not to get. Life, the universe, human beings, we are all way more complicated than you might hope. It is possible for a human being to be a decent or sensible person in one walk of life but be confused and wrong in another. Sometimes it might seem that to your "common sense" things shouldn't happen that way in the real world, but the evidence shows that is how they did happen. Things are compicated and there are no easy answers.
Personally I am waiting for someone to call him a twoofer just like they have called me for saying the exact same thing that you just did. So you should expect to be called a twoofer too...

[Oxigen]

Parsman,
You are assuming that what you believe is correct. Everyone else is automatically wrong if they don't believe the same. I'm sorry but I don't blame John Feal for being skeptical. I strongly suspect that not too many people on this forum would be willing to donate a kidney. And I definitely would not have a problem with a new commission. What is everyone afraid of -- the truth.

[Cl1mh4224rd]

I strongly suspect that not too many people on this forum would be willing to donate a kidney. And I definitely would not have a problem with a new commission. What is everyone afraid of -- the truth.


How... How are you even relating these two things? That's pretty low.