Thank you for the recent article, “Volunteer with Compassion” on Aug. 18. As part of Compassion’s commitment to integrity, we thought it was important to correct a statement printed in the article.

The article states, “Unlike some sponsorship charities, Compassion funnels every penny of sponsor donations to a specific family. The organization raises separate funds to meet operating expenses.”

Compassion does not give money directly to the Compassion-assisted child or their family because of the inability to account for the use of our sponsor monies.

Instead, Compassion funnels at least 80 percent of funds to our country offices and local churches who administer the child development programs for our children. These partners allow Compassion to provide consistent, quality programming and account for the use of funds. Our child development programs provide educational opportunities, health treatment and training, individualized care and attention, and a regular opportunity to hear the Gospel for all Compassion-assisted children.

As a result, Compassion International has more than 459,000 sponsors throughout the United States, and we are committed to being financially accountable with the money they have entrusted us with to provide 691,188 children around the world with programs through our local church partners.

Paul Moede, vice president of communications and education, Compassion International, Colorado Springs, Colo.