Post here if you've given to haiti.

Eric Grossman · #1 01-22-2010, 07:17 PM

I gave by texting “HAITI” to 90999.

J. Crawford · #2 01-22-2010, 07:22 PM

I want to call into MTV to speak with one of the celebrities, thats a little added bonus to the good karma. Im not 18 though, so I doubt I can.

Tommygunn · #3 01-22-2010, 07:35 PM

I did about 10 minutes ago. As posted on jordan's facebook

bass12 · #4 01-23-2010, 01:06 AM

I donated to the Red Cross last week. I've also played a couple of fundraisers and am currently organising another.

Jefenator · #5 01-23-2010, 01:51 AM

I gave $100 to the Red Cross and played w/ 2 different bands in a benefit concert. (... which actually raised a significant amount of cash for the cause - a benefit first IME)

Mike N · #6 01-23-2010, 05:42 AM

The government is giving my tax dollars to Haiti. Does that count?

superjaay · #7 01-23-2010, 06:27 AM

I gave to the Red Cross and at my church.

bassman03 · #8 01-23-2010, 08:23 AM

Gave money to a fund we were raising at my school this past week. Our goal was $2000 with ~275, but we ended up getting $3400

Ziltoid · #9 01-23-2010, 08:25 AM

I gave 20$, not much but every bits helps.

Bassman316 · #10 01-23-2010, 08:44 AM

I did the text "Give" to 50555 last night during the Hope For Haiti Now special. I could only manage $10, but I know every little bit helps.

TBrett · #11 01-23-2010, 12:19 PM

Haven't donated any cash yet, but a shoe store near my office did a "gently used" shoe drive for Haiti this week, to which I contributed several pairs in excellent condition that my step-daughter had outgrown. The folks in my office must have collected at least 150 pairs to donate, as well. Money is critical, of course, but they're also going to need clothing and other every day necessities.

rayzak · #12 01-23-2010, 12:23 PM

electracoyote · #13 01-23-2010, 12:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mike N

The government is giving my tax dollars to Haiti. Does that count?

+1

And the thugs, gangs, and local warlords in Haiti have been taking it from there.

Just like they will do with the current glut of aid.

Randall · #14 01-23-2010, 12:28 PM

Yes. And the Canadian government matched all donations made by Canadians. You give 50$ and they chip in another 50$.

RWP · #15 01-23-2010, 12:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by electracoyote

+1

And the thugs, gangs, and local warlords in Haiti have been taking it from there.

Just like they will do with the current glut of aid.

Sad but very true. The poor people of Haiti can never win.

Hugh9191 · #16 01-23-2010, 01:14 PM

went busking in town today with some friends to raise some money for them. Managed to get more than £90.

Mike N · #17 01-23-2010, 01:19 PM

I also wonder how much of the donations will actually make it to Haiti, versus getting sucked up by "administrative costs."

GregC · #18 01-23-2010, 01:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mike N

The government is giving my tax dollars to Haiti. Does that count?

Quote:

Originally Posted by electracoyote

+1

And the thugs, gangs, and local warlords in Haiti have been taking it from there.

Just like they will do with the current glut of aid.

If you guys want to do the math--divide the US aid package by US tax revenues for one year--and calculate the number of cents or fractions of a cent of your personal tax dollars that are going to Haiti, go right ahead.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mike N

I also wonder how much of the donations will actually make it to Haiti, versus getting sucked up by "administrative costs."

That obviously depends on where one chooses to donate the money. A well-placed individual donation can be a pretty efficient way of helping the Haitian people. The Red Cross and Doctors Without Borders have low overhead and are trying to meet the huge, immediate medical needs of all the injured folks down there. My money went to the latter. As someone else here pointed out, during the tsunami-relief effort, Doctors Without Borders actually told people to stop giving them money because they couldn't use any more--that's a sign of a stand-up organization.
http://doctorswithoutborders.org/index.cfm

kesslari · #19 01-23-2010, 01:40 PM

What Greg said.
Give through reputable orgs that have low administrative overhead. They're easy to find.
My company has a program that matches employee donations, dollar for dollar, for approved chartiable orgs. Employees can nominate charities - one of the criteria is "less than 10% administrative costs".
And yeah, I've given. In fact, as a company we're up to about $2 million for Haiti earthquake relief. That's in addition to over $50 million to local foodbanks (yeah, give locally too) and relief for other disasters, regional, national and international.
It's one of my favorite things about the company for which I work - it believes in giving back as well as in making a profit and paying people fairly. That makes going to work on those "work is a PITA days" much better.

RWP · #20 01-23-2010, 01:55 PM

As cynical as I am, now is not the time to squabble over what percentage of our aid is squandered. All we can do is donate to what we consider to be the best charity and know you are helping human beings truly in need. Down the road when we are asked to rebuild their country on our dime knowing we will be taken as suckers, we can talk.