I did the text thing last night. My brother called this morning to say that they can't come to stay the weekend because he is organizing a mission to Haiti. So I was able to contribute to his project knowing that the funds would actually be used as intended. I worry that my donations, like the majority of donations, don't make it to those in need.

I got an email this morning from a friend who was passing along the info that American Airlines will fly any Dr, Nurse or EMT to Haiti for free. I don't have the phone number with me but I can post it later.

It is heartbreaking

Alexa

Good luck to your brother, Mustangs. What a great guy! They said this morning that the airport can't handle all the airplanes trying to go into Haiti. I don't know what they're going to be able to do about that problem.

Sally

Sally, that was my question too. My brother is in South FL and there is a merchant marine in the congregation who is working on the logistics of using a boat. I don't know anything beyond that as the brother didn't have time to chat.

What a horrible situation. My heart breaks for those innocent people.

I agree that I am not comfortable giving money via text message. The world is just too full of scammers. I made a contribution through The Salvation Army. I have confidence in them. I used Paypal for my gift and at the end there is a space to fill in how you want your money directed, so I wrote Relief for Haiti.

I also have confidence in The American Red Cross and Doctors Without Borders. You can check up on most non-profits through Charity Navigator, which rates them and gives information about how their funds are allocated. They have info posted on their front page about sending help for Haiti. It's amazing how all those $10 donations add up.

Here is a link that might be useful: Charity Navigator.

Just got this article from The Chronicle of Philanthropy regarding all the donations for Haiti. I didn't know that the Red Cross was receiving gifts via text.

Here is a link that might be useful: Article about donations for Haiti

I think we do have to be careful which charity we give through. It has to be a personal decision for each of us.

Even though I've never used texting before and don't plan to start using it I am texting my donation. I would never give anyone a credit card number for a donation, but will be glad for them to apply it to my telephone bill. I feel this has been checked out and will go where it is supposed to.

I feel the same way, Beverly. I have no use for texting, but will make an exception for this.

Now if they would just set up a way to text for donations to send Pat Robertson to another planet, I'd be on board with that, too. That man has made a lot of ridiculous and mean-spirited claimes over the years, but what he said yesterday about Haiti just boiled my blood.

If anyone has any prayers left, a local nurse, Sue Alexander, sure could use them. She arrived in Port-au-Prince for a mission just a few hours before the quake hit. Her family has not been able to contact her. Our entire community is praying that she just has no way of making contact.

Linda

Linda, I will channel as many positive vibes to your friend as I possibly can. How awful!

My heart goes out to all the people in Haiti. My guess would be they will divert the planes to Santo Domingo Dominican Republic and probably have to bus the emergency workers to the quake site.

It is terrible...just terrible.

Linda

Just the tought of the destruction and lost/hurt lives makes me teary.

Cathy, email me the donation info for your brothers group please. And yes, I have head that they are planning on using ship both to get cargo in and for hospitals.

I wonder if we have any old naval ships, not in use that could be sent. Even in bad shape, they would be a roof and a bed.

Re - Pat Robertson, I wonder how he gets any listeners at all!

I thought you might be interested in this clip. This book is on my book club's list to read this year, prior to the earthquake -- thought it might hold more widespread interest now, also info on their charity.
http://www.azfamily.com/video/featured-videos/Both-Ends-Burning-81492392.html

I know this is OT, but religious preachers....particularly TV evangelists just make my blood boil and steam come from my ears. I think being a spiritual person and doing the right thing on this earth is important. But the people who exploit and twist any religion, particularly christianty just make me angry in a very personal way. Has anyone caught Mike Murdoch on t.v.? He insists that if you send him a $1000.00 "seed" he will make sure God makes you a millioniare! He says God wants him to create 300 millionaires because God wants him to make people have lots of money. What a load of CRAP!!!!!!!!! But this guy continues with his message for years and years. I know this is OT from the Haiti issue, but it brings to mind that we should be careful who we send money to. I think the salvation army and red cross are safe, but please don't send money to t.v. evangelists who promise to use the money for 'GOD'.....I wish I could strangle some of these opportunists...it just really hits a sore spot when people take advantage of others through the ruse of religion.

Duane

Here in Los Angeles, a Haitian restaurant near downtown (TiGeorge's) is having a fund raiser tonight. George is a sweetheart and has told me many stories and shared lots of his recipes. When my DH worked downtown he would buy trays of his food for his office parties. If you are in Los Angeles and reading this, please go for me!

Regarding the text thing, when we were in England, we were shocked (and a bit jealous) that people could pay their parking meter tab by text! No more carrying around coins for the meter! So we are catching up to the rest of the world.

I don't know about Pat Robertson, should I go look.....

I donated somewhere other than the Red Cross.

I'm sorry of my rant above, although it was sincere. I think we should all say a prayer (if you are so inclined) and give as much as we are able for those poor people in Haiti. I can't believe what a terrible thing these people have been put through. Years and years of rebuilding not to mention the horrible loss of life. It is so sad. I feel so bad about all of those poor people, especially the children.

My heart breaks for the people of Haiti. We have been there twice and will be next month on Royal Caribbean's private island, Labadee. The Haiti people sell their crafts there and they are so poor and desparate. It is sad.

I always buy whether I want it or not, but I sure will this time.

Mustangs, I sent you an email. If you don't get it please let me know.

Additional prayers will go out for Sue Alexander. Thank you for giving us a specific name to mention in our prayers. And please let us know if you hear from her.

Beverly

If any of you have a LiveJournal account, there is an auction going on. A lot of the items might not be of interest unless you're a big fan of fan fiction, but in the "Something Interesting" thread, there are hand-knit items, hand made jewelry, etc. I participated in similar LJ auctions for Katrina relief and CF before. This one is set up differently (and is much bigger). I'm not involved in this in any way whatsoever, just passing it on in case someone is interested.

If you don't have an LJ account, you could probably bid anonymously and put a coded email address in the body of the text.

There's a goodie box from Istambul's central market that was calling me, but the bid has gone way above what I can do.

(Jessy, about Robertson, you don't want to know. It's just too stupid and bigoted to even give him attention for it.)

Here is a link that might be useful: Help Haiti

Yeah, I'm surprised that anyone gives Robertson attention at all, and it surprises me that he would have any followers left. It scares me to think he does have any followers. Duane, I understand your gripe completely.

Linda, I'll keep your town's nurse in my thoughts and prayers. There are so aid workers there that are missing or unheard from, it's sad and scary.

It sounds like at least some planes are getting through, now.

Sally

I agree, Doctors without Borders is a good charity and I trust them. There's so much need and I agree, I hope that in rebuilding, it gets better, it was abysmal before the quake, now it's devastating.

My prayers will go for Sue Alexander too, hoping she's safe and sound and busy doing what nurses do in a place where she is needed the most.

Annie

Jessie, the event last night at your friend's restaurant is covered in this story in the LA Times, and I got it from Huffington Post

Here is a link that might be useful: L.A. Haitians gather to mourn

Thanks Helene, he raised $14,000 yesterday and will have another go at it tomorrow at 2:00, I can't go!

We received word late last evening that Sue is alive. A woman from Austin, Texas was able to make it to Miami yesterday and called the family to let them know that Sue is alive and well. She is officially still listed as missing by the State Department since they have had no direct communication from her. We have four people from here that have made it into Port au Prince and they are trying to find her and get her home.

Thanks for the prayers.

Linda

I agree that Doctors Without Borders is good, and Haiti doesn't have nearly enough doctors right now, particularly surgeons, to treat the injured.

Also Oxfam and Oxfam America focus on making sure people have clean water to drink, which is critical at this time.

Very Sad...My peditrician's sister is still missing!

Oh, dear, Eileen, that's scary. They are still finding people alive, though, so there's hope.

Sally

Two men from out town, Lakeland FL were there to do mission work, building and construction work, for their Methodist Church. They had just arrived a few hours before and were killed.

The United Methodist Church Relief Organiztion, (UMCOR) is listed in the top three for making sure the highest % of the donations go directly to relief effort and not for adminstrative costs. We gave through them.

Another friend had a relative who was in the Dominican Republic, along the coast, for a destination wedding and they never knew there had been an earthquake. Never felt a thing!

I just got back from giving blood to be shipped to Hati. I was glad to see that there was a good size line for donating specifically to Hati's hospitals and temporary hospitals. Supposedly Florida's proximity to Hati allows plasma and other medical supplies to be delivered immediately. I hope that's the case.

Danny Glover, the actor, said "When we see what we did at the climate summit in Copenhagen, this is the response, this is what happens, you know what I'm sayin'?" So it's the climate summit's fault?

"Danny Glover, the actor, said "When we see what we did at the climate summit in Copenhagen, this is the response, this is what happens, you know what I'm sayin'?""

Huh? I'd have to hear or read that in context. I just don't understand that statement out of context.

Mboston, Yes, UMCOR is one of the best and least trumpeted relief organizations.

Sally

I agree Sally. I did "hear" his statement in it's entirety and it was still challenging to understand his rambling. The point being we have crazy statements from evangelists and actors, neither in my opinion, know the root cause of this disaster.