SEND US YOUR TAMPONS!!

[rhoyaltempest]

Originally Posted by DrPhil

On the donation link, only the first donation category listed Haiti. It took me like 30 minutes yesterday to notice that.

I ended up not donating because I don't feel comfortable having to assume the money is going to Haiti.

ETA: I'm not too keen to texting for donations regardless of the source, but I'm more trusting of Red Cross getting their money from my service provider than Yele.

Try this link: http://american.redcross.org/site/Pa...O_BigRedButton

All of the money might go into the International Response pot anyway though and they'll possibly just use as much as needed or as much as they have pledged.

[ladygreek]

Originally Posted by OTW

Aqua, please don't send me anymore PMs, thanks.

just realized to what she was responding - ROTFL

[33girl]

I lost it laughing because this was under a thread called "going through rush a second time." The 2 titles together for just some reason set me off.

The 90999 thing adds it to your phone bill.

[preciousjeni]

I work for a non-profit in an area with a high population of Haitians. This morning (well yesterday now) I went to a Haitian Task Force town meeting where the task force was trying to work out a plan to get donations to Haiti. Several of the people leading the meeting were in touch with various agencies within Haiti.

To echo what many people are saying here, the agencies and orgs in Haiti that were directly in contact with the folks present at the meeting said do not send supplies. Relief workers literally have to carry things into the more devastated areas.

It's money that is most needed to send people there for clean-up, medical aid and food/water drops. Also, I heard that there are some health organizations that have partnerned with airlines to fly nurses and doctors there for free.

ETA: http://urbanlegends.about.com/b/2010...r-facebook.htm So, that last part was probably part of the hoax that local people have bought into. How horrible!

[dreamseeker]

Originally Posted by preciousjeni

ETA: http://urbanlegends.about.com/b/2010...r-facebook.htm So, that last part was probably part of the hoax that local people have bought into. How horrible!

Last night's hoax on Twitter about American and JetBlue flying doctors and nurses to Haiti for free was just that -- a hoax," wrote American Airlines spokesman Tim Smith in an email quoted on CNN.Com. "We don't know who is responsible, but it's a very low thing to do."

THIS. some people are just callous. Granted, people should always verify info but still...

[KSig RC]

Originally Posted by OTW

I saw an insane amount of tweets last night about UPS shipping supplies for free to Haiti. This probably came after the company pledged $1 Million in aid to the country. This was untrue as well.

I saw the video footage of all the planes lined up at the airport. I can only imagine trying to manage all that while trying to get supplies in as quick as possible.

It's kind of similar to the FBI warning people to "be vigilant" when receiving donation requests . . . like, how on Earth would UPS actually do this? If you just addressed something "TO: Haiti FROM: My loving heart!" would it get there? It's amazing how many people care and how many people truly want to do good and spread the word, but common sense just gets tossed aside . . . it would almost be impossible for a commercial carrier to "donate" flights to nurses, for example, because how the poop would they find enough nurses in one hub to justify the flight? Et cetera . . .

The fact that you can donate via cellphone is amazing, and a true marvel of the modern digital age. The rest? Kind of stunning.

[Confucius]

Originally Posted by Little32

With the Doctors Without Borders and the Red Cross, is there any way to make certain that you money is going to Haiti, or does it just go into a common fund for all of their efforts?

I looked at the red cross website and couldn't tell.

Me either, so I ended up going through a telethon on Channel 3 in Philadelphia. Is the RC doing a telethon or specific event about Haiti in your area?

[epchick]

Originally Posted by preciousjeni

I work for a non-profit in an area with a high population of Haitians. This morning (well yesterday now) I went to a Haitian Task Force town meeting where the task force was trying to work out a plan to get donations to Haiti. Several of the people leading the meeting were in touch with various agencies within Haiti.

To echo what many people are saying here, the agencies and orgs in Haiti that were directly in contact with the folks present at the meeting said do not send supplies. Relief workers literally have to carry things into the more devastated areas.

It's money that is most needed to send people there for clean-up, medical aid and food/water drops. Also, I heard that there are some health organizations that have partnerned with airlines to fly nurses and doctors there for free.

Hey Jeni, I know what you posted here, but have you heard anything about the relief efforts being in "desperate need of supplies?" I know a girl in NY that claims the Haitian Consulate is telling people they want supplies over money, because they are so desperate.

[preciousjeni]

Originally Posted by epchick

Hey Jeni, I know what you posted here, but have you heard anything about the relief efforts being in "desperate need of supplies?" I know a girl in NY that claims the Haitian Consulate is telling people they want supplies over money, because they are so desperate.

I haven't personally heard that. My understanding is that it's such a mess that even the airport is crowded with planes because there isn't enough fuel to fly them back out.

What I'm hearing from everyone is to donate money to established organizations that have a clear action plan. However, I am aware that some organizations are accepting things like medical supplies.

Of course, there are organizations that ARE taking donations of all kinds, but there's the matter of actually getting the items out of the United States.

[epchick]

Originally Posted by preciousjeni

Of course, there are organizations that ARE taking donations of all kinds, but there's the matter of actually getting the items out of the United States.

Ahh I see. Yeah, she's a teacher and her school was supposedly designated by the Haitian Consulate as a drop off site. But when I mentioned that supplies might not be the best thing to send, she went off and said she should know b/c the Haitian Consulate told them that they were in desperate need of supplies.

Just kinda struck me as a contradiction of everything i've heard.

[Little32]

Originally Posted by Confucius

Me either, so I ended up going through a telethon on Channel 3 in Philadelphia. Is the RC doing a telethon or specific event about Haiti in your area?

I actually end up going with an organization in my city that has pre-existing operations on the ground in Haiti.

The only telethons that I have heard about are the national ones, so far.

[DrPhil]

A woman with the last name of "Jean" (Wyclef's wife, perhaps?) was on TJMS this morning. When they asked about Yele being questioned, she began to cry. She said he put in 1million of his own money to get it started. She also said that he was trying to help back when no one else cared. Welp, mainstream media didn't care but there were always service organizations trying to help Haiti.

I understand why she and others think this is the wrong time to try to discredit his organization. At the same time, what better time is there than after tragedy strikes and people are searching for (sometimes mindlessly) places to donate?

[Little32]

I saw Wyclef's statement the other night, and it seems plausible to me that he put his own money into the organization to get it started. Not only has the mainstream media not been particularly concerned with the goings on in Haiti, but most Americans have not either--until now. I can see how his organization might have struggled to find financial support.

I agree though, now is an appropriate time to scrutinize all of these organizations, particularly the untested ones, to make sure that they are doing the work and using the funds as they said they would. Hopefully, even if Yele's money has been funny in the past, this added scrutiny will make sure that the millions that he has received in donations certainly ends up in the right place.

[dreamseeker]

^^ yeah, i understand why she feels that way, but ppl are really scrutinizing everyone now to ensure that their hard earned dollars are put to the best of use.

soo...what about the Clinton Bush Haiti fund? LOL @ Bush fidgeting in the vid. while I was watching it all i could think about was Kanye...ha! Bush looked like he was scared Kanye would run out and start talking.

[DrPhil]

rant ahead/

There's so much disproportionate poverty going on in America and Haiti isn't even the poorest country in the world. So, as much as I want people to be socially conscious, I don't think it is collectively our "duty" to be concerned over every struggle for every group of people. Those who are willing to serve always have been serving and always will be serving. Who's to say what group of people receives "our" concern at any given time?

Sorry for the rant, but everywhere (literally, EVERYWHERE) I turn there are solicitations for donation and service regarding this. America gets blasted SO MUCH but that doesn't stop the America "haters" (hate that word) and commentors from knowing EXACTLY where to turn when they need something. Hmph.