Sunday, January 17, 2010
Karen's Blog of the Week: Hope for Haiti
Most of them have already been said by others, and far more eloquently than I ever could.
I think I spent the first half of the week in some sort of bubble. It was the first week of the semester and the ensuing stress and exhaustion kept me from understanding the seriousness of the crisis until I finally saw videos and images on the news Thursday morning.
If I had the means, I would have headed straight to the airport instead of to work. Rather, the means AND anything even remotely resembling a useful skill, of course.
There have been comments, speeches and remarks that, well, to say they were disappointing would be an understatement. Some believe the Haitians brought this on themselves. Others think the millions of tax dollars our government has sent them in aid through the years has already satisfied our obligation.
I happen to believe that we are all children of God. As such, we are all brothers and sisters. It's our responsibility to look out for one another, to be there, to "succor the weak, lift up the hands which hang down, and strengthen the feeble knees."
We are in hard economic times. There's no escaping that fact. Many of us that really wish we could help simply don't have the means to donate significantly. But, in a crisis like this, any little thing we can do makes a big difference.
I was going to forego the whole Featured Blogger thing this week, but that was before I found Hope for Haiti. Jenny from Simply Delightful Designs started Hope for Haiti mere hours after news of the earthquake hit the airwaves. In just a few days, she has joined forces with nearly two dozen bloggers and organizations to raise funds by raffling various products and services. Together, they have raised almost $5000 on 30 different raffles.
When crises happen, I always find myself wondering what I can do. Jenny didn't wonder what she could do. She jumped online and got to work. No one can do everything. But everyone can do something.
I encourage you all to go visit Jenny and check out the amazing site she has created.
And while you are in the mood, Leslie is collecting items for hygiene kits. I don't know Leslie, but I was touched when I read that she is trying to collect enough to make 100 hygiene kits. I say that we use the power of the internet to send her enough for five hundred. Heck. Why not a thousand? Everything she needs can be found at the local dollar store. She's also accepting Pay Pal donations. And for those of you in the Salt Lake area, she would even appreciate just an extra couple of pairs of hands to put the kits together.
Those are two great ways to help. Here are just a couple of others:
The Chic Life is organizing an online bake sale.
Amanda is donating a quarter per comment on this post.
AphroChic is auctioning off various awesome accessories.
and Alyssa Francis has a long list of linked up bloggers that are donating in different ways.
I hope you'll all have a great Sunday. And be sure to count your blessings. In times like these, it's hard not to be grateful for all the wonderful gifts we have in our lives.
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What a great collection of links! I think that the "viral" community will be able to really help out in this crisis.
ReplyDeleteI, too, have been baffled by the lack of sensitivity and compassion. I had someone actually tell me that Obama just approved aid to make his political image look good. And that hurt me deeply- I do a lot of compassionate and giving things for others and now I fear that this close friend thinks my intentions aren't as pure as they truly are. My concern isn't so much what she thinks of me- my heart is in the right place and God knows that- but that I so totally misjudged her.
Anyway- off topic. Great post, Karen!
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ReplyDeleteSandra Bullock, including many other celebrities, together donated MILLIONS of dollars to Haiti in the last few days. She has always impressed me. Kudos the raffle organizers as well. xoxo
ReplyDeleteGreat list of links!
ReplyDeleteThis is where I think the United States great strength can be, in our ability to help the devastated.
Thank you so much for linking to Leslie. She is awesome.
ReplyDeleteThis whole thing made me feel so sad last night. Sometimes life is so unfair. People in extreme poverty already get hit with this, while I was able to sleep in my nice big bed, with my new cell phone, and drive to church in my nice car.
I haven't seen many pictures. Thanks for posting them.
ReplyDeleteThank you for pointing out so many other ways that we can help. I've donated to the Red Cross but I really like some of these other methods as well.
ReplyDeleteBeautifully written post, Karen. :)
Thanks for sharing these great blogs. I've already visited a couple, and I'm off now to visit the rest!
ReplyDeleteAmen Karen. I am joining in on the efforts. Praying, and hoping for these great people. And I am counting my many, many blessings. Thanks for the reminder. Happy Sunday.
ReplyDeleteI was really surprised when a Facebook friend posted a link to some charities helping Haiti and the first comment from one of her other friends was that we should keep American money here at home, and not be sending it to Haiti. I was really shocked at this response. Since then I've seen and heard a few more things along these lines, and it's very disturbing.
ReplyDeleteThank you so much for this message. I have made a donation to The Red Cross, but somehow it just doesn't seem like enough.
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing all the various links, in ways that others are helping. I've donated through the Red Cross and all I can do is pray that somehow all the money, supplies and help that are being provided will make things better.
ReplyDeletethanks for all the links to different ways to help! I still feel at a loss in many ways, but keep reminding myself that every little bit helps...
ReplyDelete