From 2004 to 2006, public safety charities in Virginia received about 26 percent — or about $6 million — of the $23 million that Virginians donated, according to data from the Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services.

Professional solicitors hired by the charities kept the rest.

Charities say they would have to cut back on programs without the money raised by telemarketers, but some of them agree that it’s an expensive way to fill their coffers.

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