We’ve received a couple of calls from (540) 431-1940 in the last week. The callerid listed the name as Medallion. When I answered, the representative asked for someone who hasn’t lived here in 7 years. When I told them he had the wrong number, the representative went into solicitation mode and said he was calling on behalf of the Special Olympics. When I asked to be removed from their solicitation list, the rep put a manager on the phone, and the manager said he’d take care of it.

If I decide to make a donation, I’ll go directly to the Special Olympics website, because they’ll receive more money that way. According to an article in the November 4, 2007 issue of the Roanoke Times, if you give money when the telemarketer calls, the telemarketer keeps up to 85% of the donation.

According to an article in the Honolulu Star Bulletin, Special Olympics Hawaii has a contract with Medallion, and Medallion takes 65% of the donation. The article states that this is a pretty standard Medallion contract.