Help for Haiti
I have been a bit reluctant to donate money to the Haiti relief effort since this deadly earthquake hit a week ago. Initially, I thought about waiting to see what was needed, thinking that I could start a food drive or donate old clothing- something that I knew would go directly to them instead of just blindly giving money to an organization that I wasn’t even sure would directly help the Haitians in need. Seems like warnings are popping up everywhere about only giving money to “credible” organizations. And so I’ve been pondering what to do. To whom should I donate and what do they need the most have been the questions on my mind.
The answer came to me this afternoon as I was flipping through my son’s school work. In the mess of papers that had accumulated in his backpack, I found a bright yellow sheet of paper with the headline “Pennies for Haitians”. Apparently, there are families at the school from Haiti, and, as an effort to reach out to them and to teach the kids about current worldwide issues, they will be accepting donations, which will then be given to The American Red Cross, until January 29th. The class that gets the most monetary donations will then be rewarded with a pizza and ice cream party. Perhaps I will tell my son that I will match his donation, that way he really understands the process of giving to help others.
And so my dilemma of how how to give and where to give has been resolved; The American Red Cross it is.
What about you? How have you reacted to the crisis in Haiti? Are there any local charities that you know of and that you trust who are accepting donations? Any local businesses that you have donated to? Speaking of local, if you would like to donate and get out of the house, here are a couple of benefits happening around town in the coming days:
Wednesday, January 20, 2010- Scholz Beer Garten (1607 San Jacinto) is hosting a live music event with Jimmie Dale Gilmore, James McMurtry, and Jenny Reynolds. The show is from 5:00- 7:30pm and is family-friendly. Benefits will go to the Salvation Army.
Wednesday, January 20, 2010- Molotov (719 W. 6th Street), with Rare Media and CharityBash, is hosting a benefit for Haiti. There is a $10 admission fee, $2 off wine and happy hour prices with 15% of the bar being donated to The American Red Cross Haiti Relief and Development Fund. Music by DJ Johnny Bravvo. The show begins at 7:00pm
Sunday, January 24, 2010- Love all of those Austin musicians? You’ll be able to find many of them performing at The Austin Music Hall (208 Nueces) this Sunday! Guy Forsyth, Asleep at the Wheel, Bob Schneider, Shawn Colvin, Reckless Kelly and more! Doors open at 1:00pm and the show begins at 2:00pm. This is an ALL AGES show- bring the kids along if you can’t find a babysitter.
You can also donate much needed medical supplies at Antone’s. For a complete list of items needed, click here.
Don’t feel like leaving the house?
Text ‘Haiti’ to 52000 to make a $10 donation to the Salvation Army relief effort.
January 21st, 2010 at 6:04 pm
I found this website which offers lots of detail about each charity such as how much of every dollar goes to releif and how much goes to fundraising, etc and also CEO salary. I really liked this site.
http://www.charitynavigator.org