We’ve all seen the images splashed across the screen of the devastation and destruction left behind by the 7.0 earthquake that hit Haiti January 12.
While it is estimated that up to a quarter-milion people may be dead and about 3 million people will be affected, the real aftershock of this natural disaster remains to be seen.
One thing we do know: Disaster relief for Haiti needs money. Fast.
Troops, relief workers and even aid cannot get there without our help. So, Make It Better has compiled a list of trusted sources and ways that you can give money now.
Ways to help locally:
Help foster: Haitian refugees are arriving daily–if you are open to fostering children and/or families, and can speak French, please call 312-814-6800.
Yoga class–Attend a Karma Yoga class at Niyama Yoga on January 24 or 31 and proceeds will be donated to the American Red Cross.
Dine out–Mia Francesca’s is donating 100 percent of their profits on Monday, January 25 to the American Red Cross, up to a maximum of $10,000.
Shop–SHE Boutique in Highland Park will donate 10 percent of the price paid for full-priced merchandise and match the donation, for a total of 20 percent donated to a Haitian relief fund, through February 14.
Eat–Bennison’s Bakery in Evanston is hosting a PACZKI Eating Contest on February 13 at 3 p.m. The money collected will be given to the American Red Cross for Haitian relief efforts.
Give–Common Good (Glencoe Park District, Glencoe School District 35, Glencoe PTO, Glencoe Junior High Project, Writers’ Theatre, Glencoe Public Library, Family Service of Glencoe, Glencoe Human Relations Forum, Chicago Botanic Garden) is encouraging Glencoe residents and employees to text “HAITI” to “90999” and to donate clothing, blankets, sleeping bags and tents (will go to Salvation Army, targeted for Haitian relief). You can drop them off at the Takiff Center, 999 Green Bay Rd., Glencoe.
Buy a “brick”–The French Institute in Winnetka is sponsoring a “brick” buklding drive with students and community members. For a $5 donation, your name will be included on a brick as the school attempts to build a 1,000-brick wall as a visual reminder of the ongoing rebuilding effort in Haiti. Donations will be accepted at the school Monday – Friday, 8:30 a.m. – 5 p.m. For more informaiton, call 847-501-5800.
Support local stores and organizations that are supporting Haiti: Many North Shore businesses are donating percentages of their profits to Haitian relief efforts. For example, Proforma North Shore Marketing is donating 5% of every order to World Vision’s relief program, through February 26.
Text it
Text: “Haiti” to 20222
As the UN’s Special Envoy to Haiti, President Clinton is asking everyone to give what you can to help the people of Haiti respond and recover from this disaster. When you send the text message, $10 will be donated to relief efforts, charged to your cell phone bill.
Text: “Haiti” to 90999
One of the most trusted disaster relief organizations, the Red Cross has pledged an initial $1 million to Haiti relief. When you send the text message, $10 is added to your phone bill, and all funds will go to support American Red Cross relief efforts in Haiti. Want to make a larger or more specific donation to help the relief efforts in Haiti, visit their donation website, and choose your option. You can also call 1-800-RED-CROSS.
Text: “Yele” to 501501
Yéle Haiti was founded by Wyclef Jean, a Haitian musician formerly of the Fugees, in 2005 and is a grassroots movement that builds global awareness for Haiti while helping to transform the country through programs in education, sports the arts and environment. When you send the text message, $5 is added to your phone bill, and 100 percent of the funds will go to the relief operation. Want to donate more than $5? Go to their donation website.
Click it
Red Cross has pledged an initial $1 million to Haiti relief. To make a specific donation to help the relief efforts in Haiti, visit their donation website, and choose your option. You can also call 1-800-RED-CROSS.
American Jewish World Services
Donations to AJWS’s Haiti Earthquake Relief Fund will enable AJWS’s network of grantees in Haiti to meet the urgent needs of the population based on real-time, on-the-ground assessments. You can also mail checks to: American Jewish World Service, 45 West 36th Street, 11th floor, New York, NY 10018-7904.
CARE is deploying additional emergency team members to the devastated city of Port-au-Prince in Haiti, where the worst earthquake in 200 years destroyed houses and left thousands homeless. While the exact death toll from the 7.0-magnitude quake is not yet known, it is expected to be catastrophic. All contributions help the relief effort.
Emergency responses from the U.S. Department of State, the American Red Cross, Mercy Corps, and others have been quick, but the Clinton Foundation needs your immediate support to provide food, shelter and other relief supplies. As the UN’s Special Envoy to Haiti, President Clinton is asking everyone to give what you can to help the people of Haiti respond and recover from this disaster.
Doctors without Borders (Medecins Sans Frontieres) has already treated more than 1,000 people on the ground in Haiti following Tuesday’s earthquake, but the needs are huge. An inflatable hospital with operating theatres is expected to arrive by the end of the week. Donate now to help support their work in Haiti.
Mercy Corps exists to alleviate suffering, poverty and oppression by helping people build secure, productive and just communities. They have an online donation page set up so that you can designate that funds go to Haitian earthquake relief.
Operation Blessing International
Specializing in disaster relief, Operation Blessing International has set up a site to Help Haiti Quake Victims Now. Your gift of $50 or more can help bring emergency food, water, medicine and more to Haiti’s quake victims.
The first Samaritan’s Purse cargo plane arrived in Haiti Wednesday with emergency relief supplies for victims of the massive earthquake that rocked the country on Tuesday, and five more flights were scheduled for Thursday. Samaritan’s Purse deployed the team just hours after the earthquakes to help with water, shelter, medical care, and other emergency needs. To help them continue their quick response, donate now and specify Haiti Relief.
UN Central Emergency Response Fund (CERF)
The UN has already released $10 million from CERF to extend immediate assistance and rescue missions. Read more about the UN response to the Haiti disaster. Help the UN: donate NOW.
UNICEF’s offices in Port-au-Prince were damaged yesterday, but staff are ready to deliver disaster relief to the children and families affected by yesterday’s earthquake in Haiti. Children—the most vulnerable population in any disaster—are most likely to suffer the consequences. You can help by spreading the word about UNICEF’s disaster relief efforts and/or by making an online donation.
World Concern has worked in Haiti since 1978, and their work with the poor includes microfinance, agriculture, disaster response and small business development. They are currently providing blankets, plastic sheeting and emergency supplies of water to those who survived the quake and are in need of cash donations that will enable World Concern’s staff to carry out their relief and rescue work on the ground.
World Vision is on the ground rushing emergency supplies to survivors of this catastrophe. Your gift now will help distribute life-saving relief supplies—including food, clean water, blankets, and tents—to children and families devastated by the earthquake and aftershocks in Haiti.
Yéle Haiti
Yéle Haiti was founded by Wyclef Jean, a Haitian musician formerly of the Fugees, in 2005 and is a grassroots movement that builds global awareness for Haiti while helping to transform the country through programs in education, sports the arts and environment. Right now, 100 percent of your donation will go to the relief operation.
For more information on how you can donate money—along with where that money will go—visit the CNN special section Impact Your World.
You can also read about one local couple’s journey to Haiti and back at Little By Little.
Stay tuned, because as the situation develops and settles, we will also be sharing ways to give time and give things.
Raw video from CBS of the quake aftermath
(Photo caption: Capt. Mark Poirier gives medical attention to a baby in Haiti — courtesy of Flickr/Creative Commons)
