You owe it to yourself, as a human, to read at least one story on the earthquake in Haiti. The New York Times has a great write-up here.
What follows disasters such as these is a humanitarian effort. That’s not an American effort or a Christian effort, but a humanitarian effort. Whatever motivates you to help is unquestionably good, and that’s where patriotism or spirituality may come into play. I choose to believe the good which surfaces is part of an innate sense we, as humans, feel to help others in need. Embracing that notion should eliminate the commentary which portrays the people of Haiti as somehow different because of their ethnicity or race.
You want to help other humans, and you can. From the New York Daily News:
– Text Yele. Wyclef Jean is urging donors to text ‘Yele’ to 501501 and make a $5 contribution to the relief effort over cell phone. Click here to get more information via Wyclef’s Twitter page.
– Save the Children. Donate at savethechildren.org or make checks out to “Save the Children” and mail to: Save the Children Income Processing Department, 54 Wilton Road, Westport, Conn. 06880
– UNICEF. Go online to unicefusa.org/haitiquake or call (800) 4UNICEF.
– Red Cross. Go online to redcross.org and click Donate, or call (800) REDCROSS.
– Direct Relief International. Donate online at directrelief.org.
– Mercy Corp. Go online to mercycorps.org or mail checks to Haiti Earthquake Fund, Dept. NR, PO Box 2669, Portland, Ore. 97208 or call (888) 256-190.
