Years ago, while traveling in Mexico, we frequently came across people standing by the sides of the roads who were carrying receptacles marked “Cruz Roja,” or “Red Cross,” in English. Sometimes the people blocked the road. They requested that travelers donate money to Cruz Roja, and indeed, some would not let you pass until you did.
Now, while I am sure that Cruz Roja is a legitimate entity in Mexico, I am skeptical that all of the people we saw, none of whom displayed credentials, were collecting for CR. In addition, and this is what sparked this question, I am now seeing people north of the border collecting for CR. A young woman wearing a nurse’s cap stood in front of our supermarket soliciting donations for CR.
So what’s up? Is all this money going to Cruz Roja? If not, where is it going?