Good cause 4Ocean

Havana Shamrock

Havana Shamrock

Well-Known Member
SILVER Sponsor
Sep 9, 2008
5,422
Sarasota Fla.
Boat Info
2019. 250 SDX OB
Engines
300 Verado V8
i saw a commercial for a small company Called 4Ocean today and signed into the site after reading all the press I decided it was a great cause.
As boaters and people who genuinely love being on the water how could we not try and help remove plastics from the oceans?.
So we donated for some small gifts in hopes of helping.
We NEVER throw anything overboard that didn't start in the water but there's plenty of trash that ends up there. So we're trying....
Take a look and give a few bucks...
https://4ocean.com/pages/ocean-plastic-recovery
 
Made a small donation after I saw an interview with one of the guys that runs it on a financial channel last month. Ordered a bag and bracelet. Looks like a great company.
 
Being a river boater the amount of plastic trash that builds up in the locks after high water is just unbelievable. Unfortunately we live in a state that has a group of citizens that just do not care what they throw over the riverbank or out on the highway that makes it’s way to streams and finally into the river. Having lived in SE Asia for 4 years what happens in the third world is not to be believed.
 
Guys, I'm in the charity space, so I want to caution you a bit about this company. I'm not saying they aren't great, perhaps they are. Trouble is, it's a bit hard to find out. Usually, when that's the case, there might be issues...

I should note, that I'm always checking charities for BS, so this is in my wheelhouse. I've prob. looked at over 1000 990 forms over the years...

First, this isn't a charity. This is a for profit business with a slick website and brand concept....

They sell plastic bracelets for $20... That's not a donation...They use SOME of the profits to clean up the plastics or other issues. Trouble is, there is no accountability.

You want to buy a plastic band that's worth $1 for $20, have at it....

You want to clean the oceans, look for a non-profit that shows their 990 form on their website and you know where the money is going.

I don't want to rain on anyone's parade, but the oceans are very important to me... I'm not saying don't buy a bracelet if you want one. But they are getting a lot of press and hype, and honestly I think the bulk of the money is going into their pockets.

https://www.reddit.com/r/IsItBullshit/comments/8sqmdh/isitbullshit_are_4ocean_bracelets_really/
 
Boat Guy said:
Guys, I'm in the charity space, so I want to caution you a bit about this company. I'm not saying they aren't great, perhaps they are. Trouble is, it's a bit hard to find out. Usually, when that's the case, there might be issues...

I should note, that I'm always checking charities for BS, so this is in my wheelhouse. I've prob. looked at over 1000 990 forms over the years...

First, this isn't a charity. This is a for profit business with a slick website and brand concept....

They sell plastic bracelets for $20... That's not a donation...They use SOME of the profits to clean up the plastics or other issues. Trouble is, there is no accountability.

You want to buy a plastic band that's worth $1 for $20, have at it....

You want to clean the oceans, look for a non-profit that shows their 990 form on their website and you know where the money is going.

I don't want to rain on anyone's parade, but the oceans are very important to me... I'm not saying don't buy a bracelet if you want one. But they are getting a lot of press and hype, and honestly I think the bulk of the money is going into their pockets.

https://www.reddit.com/r/IsItBullshit/comments/8sqmdh/isitbullshit_are_4ocean_bracelets_really/
Click to expand...
My wife and I are very giving people but I do the same thing. I check out all charities prior to writing the check. It is like these folks that call your house asking for donations for local law enforcement I come to find out only 15% of the money actually makes it down to local dept.
 
Litterbugs really irritate me. Even the ones that throw their cigarette butts out the window. As far as donations, we always donate to the humane society and I used to donate a portion of my paycheck to the United Way for 10 years. Hard to trust and of these scammers now. My wife takes dog food, blankets and toys to the humane society a few times a year
 
The guy I saw being interviewed didn’t allude to it being a non profit at all during the interview.
How I remember it was that he was being interviewed on the financial channel as an entrepreneur who started a unique company that created jobs while doing something for the environment.
That was good enough for me.
 
I'm not saying he did / or would...In fact, I'm sure he's very careful not to misrepresent even though I think most people think they are giving to a cause... You're not. It's a business that doesn't disclose profits.

What I'm saying is a company that sells $20 rocks and uses $5 for a cause might be a great rock for you. That said, I think there are non-profits where the full $20 will be used to solve the problem... I'm not supporting a company that sells a plastic bracelet for $20 that will probably end up in the trash as well.
 
Boat Guy said:
I'm not saying he did / or would...In fact, I'm sure he's very careful not to misrepresent even though I think most people think they are giving to a cause... You're not. It's a business that doesn't disclose profits.

What I'm saying is a company that sells $20 rocks and uses $5 for a cause might be a great rock for you. That said, I think there are non-profits where the full $20 will be used to solve the problem... I'm not supporting a company that sells a plastic bracelet for $20 that will probably end up in the trash as well.
Click to expand...


Thanks for staying on top of this. Frankly......after working with Non-Profits for years.....I don't believe in any of them. United Way is the worst taking north of 30% of any contribution for their business expenses which include private jets for the executives. Even the Red Cross while it does good things prays on the heartstrings of honest people. Disaster = Blood drives. The Red Cross makes close to a billion a year on donated blood. They collect 6.5 million units....do the math and they plan on raising their prices in 2019. The top exec makes $600k a year and people line up to give it because they think the Red Cross gives it away to "needy" hospitals.

Don't get me started on the Veteran charities. Most of them are complete scams.

The only one I really like is the Salvation Army. They enable people to help themselves. I can't tell you how many stories I have heard where people buy logo clothes from a Salvation Army store, take them home and wash them then sell them on Ebay making several hundred a week to supplement their income. I like that because it builds self reliance.

But in the end it is your money and if you want to give it away.....it is your right to do so.
 
Well for $35 I felt good in hopes that they would pickup an empty soda bottle.
I reached out to wounded warriors a few years ago (posted here about it) we wanted to meet a family here and do something for them all they harked on was how much $$ was I willing to send?
I hung up.
 
I was sounding the alarm on Wounded Warriors long before they got exposed...They are a prime example of greed and what 990 forms can do...They have been exposed, had a change at the top, and are better now...Still not a fan of theirs.

Sorry, I don't want to deflate your feelings. I simply want you to put your money into something you can feel great about. Further, I don't want the hype to escalate here. I value CSR and everyone here...So I can't just let it go.

PlayDate - I'll be back in Annapolis over the summer. Perhaps we'll get a chance to connect. I'd like to learn how you worked with non-profits.
 
WV 320 Dancer said:
Being a river boater the amount of plastic trash that builds up in the locks after high water is just unbelievable. Unfortunately we live in a state that has a group of citizens that just do not care what they throw over the riverbank or out on the highway that makes it’s way to streams and finally into the river. Having lived in SE Asia for 4 years what happens in the third world is not to be believed.
Click to expand...

I lived in India for a year. Just bonkers. SE Asia is a HUGE part of the problem. Probably most of the problem.
 
I'm another who reached out to Wounded Warriors and got turned away.

I wanted to take some out on the boat with their helpers for a day on the water at no cost to them. Feed them, entertain them, etc. I even arranged for a local hotel to give them free accommodations.

All WW wanted to know is how much I would donate.

Thanks, but no thanks..
 
Boat Guy said:
I was sounding the alarm on Wounded Warriors long before they got exposed...They are a prime example of greed and what 990 forms can do...They have been exposed, had a change at the top, and are better now...Still not a fan of theirs.

Sorry, I don't want to deflate your feelings. I simply want you to put your money into something you can feel great about. Further, I don't want the hype to escalate here. I value CSR and everyone here...So I can't just let it go.

PlayDate - I'll be back in Annapolis over the summer. Perhaps we'll get a chance to connect. I'd like to learn how you worked with non-profits.
Click to expand...

Sounds great. Let me know when you will be in town.
 
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