2007 PRESS RELEASES
April 2, 2007
STATE WARNS PUBLIC ABOUT TURNNER-DOUGLAS CORPORATION
Contact: Marion Horsley, 804.225.3820
The Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services’ Office of Consumer Affairs (OCA) cautions consumers that the Turnner-Douglas Corporation of Cross Junction, Virginia, has solicited contributions from Virginia citizens for allegedly charitable purposes. As of April 2, 2007, this organization has not registered with or been granted the appropriate exempt status by the Commissioner as required by law. Therefore, contributors are cautioned that their contributions to such organization may be used for non-charitable purposes.
Thomas E. Bowman, president of Turnner-Douglas Corporation, has posted fliers in and around Fauquier, Frederick, Shenandoah, Page, and Rockingham Counties asking for donations of household items, clothing and automobiles, to help the elderly, needy families with children, and the homeless.
According to OCA, the Turnner-Douglas solicitation flier misleads consumers by indicating that all donations are tax deductible. Turnner-Douglas does not currently appear on the IRS Web site list of entities to which contributions are tax-deductible
OCA requests that anyone who has donated items or contributed to Turnner-Douglas Corporation contact OCA Investigator Sheerie Ayres by calling 1.800.552.9963, extension 6.1288 toll-free within Virginia. Anyone who has donated a vehicle should contact Special Agent Tony Stovall, Department of Motor Vehicles Police, at 540.432.0313.
The Office of Consumer Affairs recommends that before responding to any charitable appeal by making a donation or by making a purchase in the name of a charity, consumers verify that the organization is registered with the Office of Consumer Affairs. Click here for current registration status for charitable organizations.
Consumers should also determine how much of their donation will be actually used to support the organization’s charitable purpose, and how much will be used for other expenses such as administrative overhead and fundraising.
For additional information, call the Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services’ Office of Consumer Affairs, toll-free in Virginia at 1-800-552-9963 or in the Richmond area call 804.786.2042.