Q: The USO volunteers greeting the returning/departing U.S. troops were once allowed to accept donations to fund the services provided at Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport. This was stopped and the airport authority deferred all questions to Mayor Kasim Reed's office. I have reached out to his email address on five occasions to request that the "fishbowl" be allowed so that travelers can quickly donate to support our heroes. With the anticipated return of thousands of troops through Atlanta, what reason would there be to not allow this?
—Tom Davies, Acworth
A: There were many people soliciting money for the USO in the airport's terminal prior to Mayor Reed's administration, spokeswoman Sonji Jacobs told Q&A on the News in an email. She said city code prohibits people "begging for money" on city property, so it was enforced and the practice was stopped. "We still occasionally stop 'solicitors' – people asking for donations, distributing pamphlets, selling products and so on in the airport," she said. Jacobs said most charitable organizations – The Salvation Army at Christmas being a notable exception -- do not solicit contributions on city streets. "It's hard to manage and can lead to fraud," she said. Reed and Gov. Nathan Deal unveiled two large USO banners at the airport and toured the USO office before Thanksgiving, Jacobs said. "Mayor Reed is very supportive of USO." The USO accepts donations on its website at www.uso.org/donate/.
Andy Johnston wrote this column. Do you have a question about the news? We’ll try to get the answer. Call 404-222-2002 or email q&a@ajc.com (include name, phone and city).
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