I won't donate money to anyone over the phone, never have. Send me the paperwork, I'll do the research and if it's legit, I'll send a money order. Fraternal order of anything ain't get too far with me.
I donate to charity, VA associations and the like....I wish I could do more sometimes but like anything else, it's all in the timing.
I have dozens of old friends who managed to get their 20 or 30 years in and are having a hard time understanding why Vets and Retirees are getting the shaft on "promised" health benefits, COLA increases and other extended benefits promised to them for a lifetimes service.