Thursday, January 14, 2010

Haiti Earthquake update: support and donations coming in

The Haiti earthquake update news reports that support and donations are coming in, but is it enough? Organizations that in the past would have their own fiscal resources and need donations of items like food and clothing now ask for money, first. But the donations are coming in.

According to OnlyKent, American Red Cross has committed to sending $1 million in aid to Haiti, and Australia has pledged $2 million with more funds to follow for reconstruction. In total around £20 million will be sent to Haiti from around the world as of this writing, but it's not enough.

More money is needed. How much, is anyone's guess at this point.

What follows is an updated and expanded list of organizations planning relief efforts for Haiti. The response to the Haiti Earthquake support and donations list has been tremendous. Emails from around the country and from people not only presenting organizations that should be included in the list, but from people who want to know where to go to provide their own volunteer help for Haiti.

The damage, destruction, and loss of life has been just shocking. The impact has been immediate, and immediately felt. In Oakland, the lawyer-activist couple Walter Riley and Barbara Rhine, are missing.

Power is out everywhere and people are in the dark and need help. The capital city of Port-Au-Prince has been catastrophically damaged; hundreds of thousands of people are reported injured or dead.

Fortunately, legitimate online help efforts have been established. Here are more of them as of this writing and the list will be updated again, later this evening:

Airline Ambassadors - This organization of airline employee and members donates trips, in this case, to Haiti. The website reports:

Airline Ambassadors has acquired several aircraft from various major carriers. Each aircraft will carry 80,000 lbs. of critically needed, prescribed aid. Flights will depart from Denver, Miami, and JFK. We are currently working with Catholic Relief Services, Food for the Poor, LDS Charities, and Southern Command.

American Jewish World Service - Has a special Haiti-relief effort underway. From the press release:

"We are assessing where the gaps in service are and putting a process in place to help specific communities that might not be immediately served otherwise," said AJWS's vice president for programs, Aaron Dorfman. "Because of the economic and political situation in Haiti, disasters like this have devastating consequences throughout the country. Our long-standing partnerships with grassroots organizations in Haiti allow us to reach the poorest and most remote populations with the speed necessary to save lives."

American Red Cross (Reportedly has contributed $200,000 to Haiti relief.)

AmeriCares Help For Haiti. Goes to their International Disaster Relief Fund.

American Friends Service Committee - From the email:





American Friends Service Committee is seeking donations for immediate Haiti relief. This (Nobel Peace Prize winning) organization has a strong track record for efficient delivery of aid that actually goes to those in need.


AMURT is Ananda Marga Universal Relief Team - From the website:





AMURT & AMURTEL staff and volunteers are already on the ground and support teams are flying there in the coming days to assist in the operation. We have a decade of experience with relief work in Haiti and facilitate many ongoing development projects there. We are going to respond to this calamity fast and effectively and we are committed to stay as long as it takes to alleviate the suffering this natural disaster has brought about.
CARE - Reportedly has an ongoing program that focuses on food, water, and health security in Haiti  For program info: http://www.care.org/careswork/countryprofiles/61.asp (donation link is in the name itself.)

Catholic Relieft Services - From an email:

Please add Catholic Relief Services to the list of organizations responding in Haiti. CRS has already committed to a $5 million emergency response, and its 300 staff in Haiti are well-positioned to commence immediate relief activities. CRS works with many local partner organizations in Haiti. Website: www.crs.org

Caritas Internationalis - From the email and website:





Caritas Internationalis always gets primary aid and medical workers on the ground very rapidly as it has a large network of charities and sister organizations. Caritas has been unable to contact its staff in the capital, although CRS has report the CRS office is intact and the staff present there at the time of the quake are safe. Please pray for the safety of all our staff and all the people of Haiti. An international emergency response team is deploying in Haiti, including Caritas Internationalis Communications Officer Michelle Hough.


Chuck Simmins also has this blog - http://northshorejournal.org/haiti-earthquake-aid - of coverage of the Haiti Earthquake Disaster and where to donate, including any organizations that may not be listed here.

Compassion International - From email:






Compassion International is already established in the Haiti, with Nationals in position to distribute aid. Take a look at their web site at Compassion.com They are a highly rated child advocacy ministry. They would be a good addition to your list.



Direct Relief International - From email:

Direct Relief International is aiding Haiti. They have a fantastic record of supplying medical supplies and aid.  (Based in Santa Barbara.)  

Doctors without Borders - Updated web page to reflect their Haiti assistance efforts.

Faith In Action International  - Founded in 1997 by Tom Braak, Faith in Action International is a Christian, grass-roots organization whose goal is to tangibly express God's love to people living in impoverished communities.

Famine Relief Foundation - From email:







My Name is Pastor Mark Dreibelbis.

My Orphanage is in Citi Soleil, Haiti We are located down by the loading docks in Port Au Prince.

We are 7 miles from the epicenter of the quake.
We need donations badly!

Our organization is Famine Relief Foundation
The website is:
Faminerelieffoundation.com

Our orphanage is called Mission Ranch Orphanage
We are 501c3 here in the states and a registered NGO in Haiti.

Please get us on the donation list we need immediate help.

In His service

Pastor Mark Dreibelbis
President
Famine Relief Foundation
Mission Ranch Orphanage


Habitat for Humanity - HFH has a special Haiti page. They're seeking financial support.

HaitiArise - HaitiArise has provided education and relief for the past six years. It's a registered Canadian charity and reports that 100 percent of donated funds go directly to Haiti.

Haiti Emergency Relief Fund - by Vanguard Public Foundation in San Francisco. Established for Haiti before the Earthquake.

International Medical Corps - From their website:



International Medical Corps’ Emergency Response Team is on the way to Haiti, focusing on providing lifesaving medical care and relief to survivors of this devastating earthquake.


Islamic Relief - Islamic Relief has launched an appeal for £1 million to respond to the disaster.

Life In Haiti - Founded in 2007 by R.J. (Bob) Davisson. They have a school in Chabin and report they're providing education to 400 children.

Life For The World - From an email:
My friends and my chldren at my orphanage and school are in deep trouble in Haiti. Eight years ago I built an orphanage and school in Source Matelas, Haiti called Maranatha Orphanage and School. We have 150+ children. We also feed thousands of the poor and befriend Haitians in Bon Repo and Port Au Prince. I personally know thousands of people that have been devastated by this disaster.

I am an American and you can go to our website at www.lifefortheworld.com and click on the lower right hand side to see the 50+ videos I have posted of our work and you will see me in at least half of them doing the work of feeding the poor in Port au prince and at our orphanage. We are seeking donations on our website to help the displaced with food, shelter and other necessities in the distressed areas of Port au Prince. You can also check out our facebook by searching facebook at "lifefortheworld".

Thank you for your support of our distressed brothers and sisters in Haiti!


Lutheran World Relief - From the website:




Lutheran World Relief is responding to the affected communities through its partners on the ground in Haiti. The coming days are critical as teams dispatch to Haiti to conduct search and rescue efforts. LWR anticipates a large response. Every dollar donated to this life-saving effort is critical to providing the necessary emergency support to the people of Haiti.

Merlin-USA - From an email:

In the aftermath of a massive earthquake that hit Haiti last night, Merlin has launched an emergency appeal to bring urgent humanitarian aid and assistance to those affected. Early reports suggest many buildings have sustained massive damage, including hospitals. Port-au-Prince and the surrounding area is very densely populated and millions of people have been affected. Merlin is assembling a team to assess the damage and health needs in the disaster zone. The team will arrive in Haiti on tomorrow, January 14th. Their first task will be to assess the most urgent medical needs, likely to be water, sanitation, shelter and disease prevention...Our initial fundraising target is $500,000 which will cover one month of the emergency response.



Mercy Corps - Mercy Corps' website is devoted to the Haiti Earthquake Disaster; they're deploying a team bound for Haiti now.

Mountain Top Ministries - Based in Chicago, they're organizing a medical team to go to Haiti.

Operation Blessing International - Operation Blessing International, the 7th largest international charity, has disaster relief teams on the ground and more en route. They are currently assessing the damage and beginning relief efforts.

Oxfam-America - From an email:



Has a Haiti Earthquake Response Fund. I choose them because they already had people in Haiti working on programs and created the donation link on their website within 2 hours.


Partners in Health - You can use the drop-down menu to specify donations to Haiti.

Real Help for Haiti - From the website:




The missionaries of RHFH count it an honor and a priviledge to serve the Haitian people. We trust as you prayerfully consider how to support what God is doing among the Haitian people, you too will see the beauty of the Haitians and be challanged and changed as well.
Sirona Cares - Has a trip scheduled for next Tuesday.  Michelle Lacourciere's the Director. You can contact her at the link to the blog.  The blog itself features posts on Haiti efforts and stories before the Earthquake struck.

The Salvation Army - The Salvation Army is active and on the ground in Haiti.  A representative was just on CNN's Larry King tonight.


Three Angels Children's Relief - Reportedly has a school and medical clinic in Petionville. 

Touch Ministries Recommended but no Haiti-specific page or announcement as of this writing.  




Yele Haiti - Wyclef Jean's Haiti initiative to assist his native Haiti.

UNICEF - UNICEF has set up a special page for donations for the children of Haiti. In an email, UNICEF's Alissa Pinck reports: "UNICEF’s country office in Haiti and the regional office located in Panama is on the ground and have already deployed emergency teams to assess the situation and determine what the additional emergency needs are for the people of Haiti."

What If Foundation - From the email:





I read your entry regarding Haitian aid donations; the What If? foundation is heavily involved with a feeding and education program for children in St Clare parish. As of the last report they have not been able to reach their contacts but continue to try, and will doubtless be active in assisting the people affected by this disaster. Please view their website at www.whatiffoundation.org and consider including them on your list.


William J. Clinton Foundation - From an email and the website:



My UN office and the rest of the UN system are monitoring the situation. While we don't yet know the full impact of this 7.0-magnitude earthquake, we do know that the survivors need immediate help. There's a way you can help Haiti recover and rebuild right now. (The link takes you to a special page for Haiti relief.)








World Vision - Has a Haiti-specific page with a range of donation levels.  The organization says they're on the ground in Haiti already.

If there are any Haiti-specific efforts not listed here, please send an email to zennie@zennie62.com and this entry will be updated.

Teddy Pendergrass dead at 59: the legendary prince of R&B

One of the most popular R&B singers of our time, Teddy Pendergrass is dead at 59 from colon cancer. EOnline explains that, Teddy Pendergrass - who's voice has been favorably compared to that of the late Barry White and called "Teddy Bear" - had what his son Teddy, Jr. described as a rough recovery from surgery for colon cancer eight months ago. The music legend and signpost of the Zeitgeist died Wednesday at Bryn Mawr Hospital in Philadelphia, his home town.



Teddy Pendergrass

Teddy Pendergrass got his start with the Philadelphia group Harold Melvin & The Blue Notes in 1970 when he was recruited as a drummer, then promoted to lead singer. That started a long string of 70s hits, from If You Don't Know Me By Now to The Love I Lost and Bad Luck.

Bad Luck:



Teddy became known for swooning women at his "For Women Only" concerts, and for selling over 10 million records during the amazing 80s. One of the post popular was made after he left Harold Melvin, thus taking away "the Blue note" which earned their albums platnum status; it's called Love T.K.O.

Here's Teddy singing it on Soul Train in 1980:



But it all nearly came to a fatal end in 1982. On March 18, 1982, in Philadelphia, Teddy Pendergrass' Silver Spirit Rolls- Royce reportedly ran into a guardrail and into a bank of trees, leaving the singer partially paralyzed.

He was wheelchair-bound and angry, but fought back with the help of his wife Karen and his family. He went on to make other songs, and was nominated for a Grammy for Voodoo in 1993.

Overall, Teddy Pendergrass produced 33 singles and received five Grammy nominations. He will forever been remembered and hailed as one of the pioneer success stories in black music, defining the music and culture of the 70s and 80s. Before his death Teddy Pendergrass had already achieved living legend status, and will forever hold that place in our lives. Teddy Pendergrass is the legendary prince of R&B.

More Teddy:

Go With Me (Come over to my place):



Close The Door: Apollo Hall of Fame Concert 1993



Teddy Pendergrass: RIP.

Wednesday, January 13, 2010

Haiti Earthquake support news has expanded list of organizations

This Haiti Earthquake support news presents an updated and expanded list of organizations. The response to the Haiti Earthquake support and donations list has been tremendous. Emails from around the country and from people not only presenting organizations that should be included in the list, but from people who want to know where to go to provide their own volunteer help for Haiti.

The damage, destruction, and loss of life has been just shocking. The impact has been immediate, and immediately felt. In Oakland, the lawyer-activist couple Walter Riley and Barbara Rhine, are missing.

Power is out everywhere and people are in the dark and need help. The capital city of Port-Au-Prince has been catastrophically damaged; hundreds of thousands of people are reported injured or dead.

Fortunately, legitimate online help efforts have been established. Here are more of them as of this writing and the list will be updated again, later this evening:

American Jewish World Service - Has a special Haiti-relief effort underway. From the press release:

"We are assessing where the gaps in service are and putting a process in place to help specific communities that might not be immediately served otherwise," said AJWS's vice president for programs, Aaron Dorfman. "Because of the economic and political situation in Haiti, disasters like this have devastating consequences throughout the country. Our long-standing partnerships with grassroots organizations in Haiti allow us to reach the poorest and most remote populations with the speed necessary to save lives."

American Red Cross (Reportedly has contributed $200,000 to Haiti relief.)

AmeriCares Help For Haiti. Goes to their International Disaster Relief Fund.

American Friends Service Committee - From the email:





American Friends Service Committee is seeking donations for immediate Haiti relief. This (Nobel Peace Prize winning) organization has a strong track record for efficient delivery of aid that actually goes to those in need.


AMURT is Ananda Marga Universal Relief Team - From the website:





AMURT & AMURTEL staff and volunteers are already on the ground and support teams are flying there in the coming days to assist in the operation. We have a decade of experience with relief work in Haiti and facilitate many ongoing development projects there. We are going to respond to this calamity fast and effectively and we are committed to stay as long as it takes to alleviate the suffering this natural disaster has brought about.
CARE - Reportedly has an ongoing program that focuses on food, water, and health security in Haiti  For program info: http://www.care.org/careswork/countryprofiles/61.asp (donation link is in the name itself.)

Catholic Relieft Services - From an email:

Please add Catholic Relief Services to the list of organizations responding in Haiti. CRS has already committed to a $5 million emergency response, and its 300 staff in Haiti are well-positioned to commence immediate relief activities. CRS works with many local partner organizations in Haiti. Website: www.crs.org

Caritas Internationalis - From the email and website:





Caritas Internationalis always gets primary aid and medical workers on the ground very rapidly as it has a large network of charities and sister organizations. Caritas has been unable to contact its staff in the capital, although CRS has report the CRS office is intact and the staff present there at the time of the quake are safe. Please pray for the safety of all our staff and all the people of Haiti. An international emergency response team is deploying in Haiti, including Caritas Internationalis Communications Officer Michelle Hough.


Chuck Simmins also has this blog - http://northshorejournal.org/haiti-earthquake-aid - of coverage of the Haiti Earthquake Disaster and where to donate, including any organizations that may not be listed here.

Compassion International - From email:






Compassion International is already established in the Haiti, with Nationals in position to distribute aid. Take a look at their web site at Compassion.com They are a highly rated child advocacy ministry. They would be a good addition to your list.



Direct Relief International - From email:

Direct Relief International is aiding Haiti. They have a fantastic record of supplying medical supplies and aid.  (Based in Santa Barbara.)  

Doctors without Borders - Updated web page to reflect their Haiti assistance efforts.

Faith In Action International  - Founded in 1997 by Tom Braak, Faith in Action International is a Christian, grass-roots organization whose goal is to tangibly express God's love to people living in impoverished communities.

Famine Relief Foundation - From email:







My Name is Pastor Mark Dreibelbis.

My Orphanage is in Citi Soleil, Haiti We are located down by the loading docks in Port Au Prince.

We are 7 miles from the epicenter of the quake.
We need donations badly!

Our organization is Famine Relief Foundation
The website is:
Faminerelieffoundation.com

Our orphanage is called Mission Ranch Orphanage
We are 501c3 here in the states and a registered NGO in Haiti.

Please get us on the donation list we need immediate help.

In His service

Pastor Mark Dreibelbis
President
Famine Relief Foundation
Mission Ranch Orphanage


Habitat for Humanity - HFH has a special Haiti page. They're seeking financial support.

HaitiArise - HaitiArise has provided education and relief for the past six years. It's a registered Canadian charity and reports that 100 percent of donated funds go directly to Haiti.

Haiti Emergency Relief Fund - by Vanguard Public Foundation in San Francisco. Established for Haiti before the Earthquake.

International Medical Corps - From their website:



International Medical Corps’ Emergency Response Team is on the way to Haiti, focusing on providing lifesaving medical care and relief to survivors of this devastating earthquake.


Islamic Relief - Islamic Relief has launched an appeal for £1 million to respond to the disaster.

Life In Haiti - Founded in 2007 by R.J. (Bob) Davisson. They have a school in Chabin and report they're providing education to 400 children.

Life For The World - From an email:
My friends and my chldren at my orphanage and school are in deep trouble in Haiti. Eight years ago I built an orphanage and school in Source Matelas, Haiti called Maranatha Orphanage and School. We have 150+ children. We also feed thousands of the poor and befriend Haitians in Bon Repo and Port Au Prince. I personally know thousands of people that have been devastated by this disaster.

I am an American and you can go to our website at www.lifefortheworld.com and click on the lower right hand side to see the 50+ videos I have posted of our work and you will see me in at least half of them doing the work of feeding the poor in Port au prince and at our orphanage. We are seeking donations on our website to help the displaced with food, shelter and other necessities in the distressed areas of Port au Prince. You can also check out our facebook by searching facebook at "lifefortheworld".

Thank you for your support of our distressed brothers and sisters in Haiti!


Lutheran World Relief - From the website:




Lutheran World Relief is responding to the affected communities through its partners on the ground in Haiti. The coming days are critical as teams dispatch to Haiti to conduct search and rescue efforts. LWR anticipates a large response. Every dollar donated to this life-saving effort is critical to providing the necessary emergency support to the people of Haiti.

Merlin-USA - From an email:

In the aftermath of a massive earthquake that hit Haiti last night, Merlin has launched an emergency appeal to bring urgent humanitarian aid and assistance to those affected. Early reports suggest many buildings have sustained massive damage, including hospitals. Port-au-Prince and the surrounding area is very densely populated and millions of people have been affected. Merlin is assembling a team to assess the damage and health needs in the disaster zone. The team will arrive in Haiti on tomorrow, January 14th. Their first task will be to assess the most urgent medical needs, likely to be water, sanitation, shelter and disease prevention...Our initial fundraising target is $500,000 which will cover one month of the emergency response.



Mercy Corps - Mercy Corps' website is devoted to the Haiti Earthquake Disaster; they're deploying a team bound for Haiti now.

Mountain Top Ministries - Based in Chicago, they're organizing a medical team to go to Haiti.

Operation Blessing International - Operation Blessing International, the 7th largest international charity, has disaster relief teams on the ground and more en route. They are currently assessing the damage and beginning relief efforts.

Oxfam-America - From an email:



Has a Haiti Earthquake Response Fund. I choose them because they already had people in Haiti working on programs and created the donation link on their website within 2 hours.


Partners in Health - You can use the drop-down menu to specify donations to Haiti.

Real Help for Haiti - From the website:




The missionaries of RHFH count it an honor and a priviledge to serve the Haitian people. We trust as you prayerfully consider how to support what God is doing among the Haitian people, you too will see the beauty of the Haitians and be challanged and changed as well.
Sirona Cares - Has a trip scheduled for next Tuesday.  Michelle Lacourciere's the Director. You can contact her at the link to the blog.  The blog itself features posts on Haiti efforts and stories before the Earthquake struck.

The Salvation Army - The Salvation Army is active and on the ground in Haiti.  A representative was just on CNN's Larry King tonight.


Three Angels Children's Relief - Reportedly has a school and medical clinic in Petionville. 

Touch Ministries Recommended but no Haiti-specific page or announcement as of this writing.  




Yele Haiti - Wyclef Jean's Haiti initiative to assist his native Haiti.

UNICEF - UNICEF has set up a special page for donations for the children of Haiti. In an email, UNICEF's Alissa Pinck reports: "UNICEF’s country office in Haiti and the regional office located in Panama is on the ground and have already deployed emergency teams to assess the situation and determine what the additional emergency needs are for the people of Haiti."

What If Foundation - From the email:





I read your entry regarding Haitian aid donations; the What If? foundation is heavily involved with a feeding and education program for children in St Clare parish. As of the last report they have not been able to reach their contacts but continue to try, and will doubtless be active in assisting the people affected by this disaster. Please view their website at www.whatiffoundation.org and consider including them on your list.


William J. Clinton Foundation - From an email and the website:



My UN office and the rest of the UN system are monitoring the situation. While we don't yet know the full impact of this 7.0-magnitude earthquake, we do know that the survivors need immediate help. There's a way you can help Haiti recover and rebuild right now. (The link takes you to a special page for Haiti relief.)








World Vision - Has a Haiti-specific page with a range of donation levels.  The organization says they're on the ground in Haiti already.

If there are any Haiti-specific efforts not listed here, please send an email to zennie@zennie62.com and this entry will be updated.

Haiti Earthquake update: Oakland's Walter Riley and Barbara Rhine missing

OaklandSeen's Aimee Allison posted a blog on Facebook reporting that Oakland attorneys and activists Walter Riley and Barbara Rhine are missing in Haiti:

Walter Riley and wife Barbara Rhine and daughter Selena were last contacted in Port-au-Prince carrying out mission work for Haiti Action (http://www.haitiaction.net/About/HERF/HERF.html) when the earthquake hit yesterday. His family, including well-known hip hop artist Boots Riley and ABC News Reporter Denise James have not received any word from Walter and Barbara as of this morning.




Walter Riley 

Walter Riley is a well-known civil rights attorney and progressive activist in Oakland. He is also lawyer for the Oakland Post, and President of Vanguard Foundation.




Barbara Rhine 
Barbara Rhine is a practicing lawyer in downtown Oakland and lifelong progressive activist. She has represented the United Farmworkers Union, and been a law professor at San Francisco's Golden Gate University and serves on the board of the Kehilla Community Synagogue.

The State Department has set up a phone number for Americans seeking information about family members. That number is 1-888-407-4747. Here's a link on CNN where you can post a pic and info about missing people. http://www.ireport.com/ir-topic-stories.jspa?topicId=381628

Our prayers go out to the family and entire Oakland community as we await word.


Let's hope they're found.

Help for Haiti after 7.0 Earthquake: 2nd update of donation list and information

This is the second update of two earlier blog reports on Help for Haiti after the 7.0 Earthquake. The organization list was updated such that new information was placed in alphabetical order. (If I made a mistake in an entry, please send an email to me.)

(And the reason for the delay was for me to take a break both physically and emotionally and also let the information accumulate until such time as I figured it would subside: Midnight PST. The outpouring of emails has been tremendous and it shows that people really can come together and help others.

This has become a resource page where information is placed in alphabetical order. I received one email that requested "top placement"; that's not what this is for at all. This order is fair to everyone. Where I received a press release or a specific request, I made a separate blog post.)

Haiti's an impoverished nation that is asking for fiscal help in the wake of the terrible destruction from the 7.0 Earthquake, the largest ever in that region of the World. Moreover the nation's being battered with aftershocks.

Power is out everywhere and people are in the dark and need help.  The capital city of Port-Au-Prince has been catastrophically damaged.

Fortunately, legitimate online help efforts are being established. Here are some of them as of this writing:

American Jewish World Service - Has a special Haiti-relief effort underway. From the press release:

"We are assessing where the gaps in service are and putting a process in place to help specific communities that might not be immediately served otherwise," said AJWS's vice president for programs, Aaron Dorfman. "Because of the economic and political situation in Haiti, disasters like this have devastating consequences throughout the country. Our long-standing partnerships with grassroots organizations in Haiti allow us to reach the poorest and most remote populations with the speed necessary to save lives."

American Red Cross (Reportedly has contributed $200,000 to Haiti relief.)

AmeriCares Help For Haiti. Goes to their International Disaster Relief Fund.

CARE - Reportedly has an ongoing program that focuses on food, water, and health security in Haiti  For program info: http://www.care.org/careswork/countryprofiles/61.asp (donation link is in the name itself.)

Chuck Simmins also has this blog - http://northshorejournal.org/haiti-earthquake-aid - of coverage of the Haiti Earthquake Disaster and where to donate, including any organizations that may not be listed here.

Compassion International - From email:



Compassion International is already established in the Haiti, with Nationals in position to distribute aid. Take a look at their web site at Compassion.com They are a highly rated child advocacy ministry. They would be a good addition to your list.



Direct Relief International - From email:

Direct Relief International is aiding Haiti. They have a fantastic record of supplying medical supplies and aid.  (Based in Santa Barbara.)  

Doctors without Boarders - Updated web page to reflect their Haiti assistance efforts.

Famine Relief Foundation - From email:


My Name is Pastor Mark Dreibelbis.

My Orphanage is in Citi Soleil, Haiti We are located down by the loading docks in Port Au Prince.

We are 7 miles from the epicenter of the quake.
We need donations badly!

Our organization is Famine Relief Foundation
The website is:
Faminerelieffoundation.com

Our orphanage is called Mission Ranch Orphanage
We are 501c3 here in the states and a registered NGO in Haiti.

Please get us on the donation list we need immediate help.

In His service

Pastor Mark Dreibelbis
President
Famine Relief Foundation
Mission Ranch Orphanage


HaitiArise - HaitiArise has provided education and relief for the past six years. It's a registered Canadian charity and reports that 100 percent of donated funds go directly to Haiti.

Haiti Emergency Relief Fund - by Vanguard Public Foundation in San Francisco. Established for Haiti before the Earthquake.

Life In Haiti - Founded in 2007 by R.J. (Bob) Davisson. They have a school in Chabin and report they're providing education to 400 children.

Life For The World - From an email:
My friends and my chldren at my orphanage and school are in deep trouble in Haiti. Eight years ago I built an orphanage and school in Source Matelas, Haiti called Maranatha Orphanage and School. We have 150+ children. We also feed thousands of the poor and befriend Haitians in Bon Repo and Port Au Prince. I personally know thousands of people that have been devastated by this disaster.

I am an American and you can go to our website at www.lifefortheworld.com and click on the lower right hand side to see the 50+ videos I have posted of our work and you will see me in at least half of them doing the work of feeding the poor in Port au prince and at our orphanage. We are seeking donations on our website to help the displaced with food, shelter and other necessities in the distressed areas of Port au Prince. You can also check out our facebook by searching facebook at "lifefortheworld".

Thank you for your support of our distressed brothers and sisters in Haiti!


Mercy Corps - Mercy Corps' website is devoted to the Haiti Earthquake Disaster; they're deploying a team bound for Haiti now.

Mountain Top Ministries - Based in Chicago, they're organizing a medical team to go to Haiti.

Partners in Health - You can use the drop-down menu to specify donations to Haiti.

Real Help for Haiti - From the website:



The missionaries of RHFH count it an honor and a priviledge to serve the Haitian people. We trust as you prayerfully consider how to support what God is doing among the Haitian people, you too will see the beauty of the Haitians and be challanged and changed as well.
Sirona Cares - Has a trip scheduled for next Tuesday.  Michelle Lacourciere's the Director. You can contact her at the link to the blog.  The blog itself features posts on Haiti efforts and stories before the Earthquake struck.


Three Angels Children's Relief - Reportedly has a school and medical clinic in Petionville. 

Touch Ministries Recommended but no Haiti-specific page or announcement as of this writing.  




Yele Haiti - Wyclef Jean's Haiti initiative to assist his native Haiti.

UNICEF - UNICEF has set up a special page for donations for the children of Haiti. In an email, UNICEF's Alissa Pinck reports: "UNICEF’s country office in Haiti and the regional office located in Panama is on the ground and have already deployed emergency teams to assess the situation and determine what the additional emergency needs are for the people of Haiti."

What If Foundation - From the email:



I read your entry regarding Haitian aid donations; the What If? foundation is heavily involved with a feeding and education program for children in St Clare parish. As of the last report they have not been able to reach their contacts but continue to try, and will doubtless be active in assisting the people affected by this disaster. Please view their website at www.whatiffoundation.org and consider including them on your list.


World Vision - Has a Haiti-specific page with a range of donation levels.  The organization says they're on the ground in Haiti already.

If there are any Haiti-specific efforts not listed here, please send an email to zennie@zennie62.com and this entry will be updated.

Tuesday, January 12, 2010

Solar Lighting wants to donate solar lights for Haiti aid - seeks contact

Richard Schuett, President & CEO of Solar Lighting, or Sol, inc., is seeking information on who is coordinating on-the-ground relief efforts in Haiti after the Haiti Earthquake and that is in need of solar lighting. His firm donated over 40 solar-powered lights after the 2007 Peru Earthquake.

Sol, inc has created solar powered light systems since 1990 and have 38,000 systems installed around the World, including Australia, Canada, USA, as well as parts of Europe, the Middle East, the Caribbean, Central and South America.

If you have a need for donated solar lights for the Haiti relief effort, contact Richard Schuett at rschuett@solarlighting.com, website is www.solarlighting.com

UNICEF issues appeal for Haiti Aid in wake of Haiti Earthquake

The U.S. Fund for UNICEF, the United Nations Children's Fund, has sent out a urgent appeal for aid to victims in the wake of the 7.0 Haiti Earthquake, regional tsunami warning, and subsequent 13 aftershocks above 4.0 on the Richter Scale.

Haiti's population of 9.6 million people is just barely larger than that of the San Francisco Bay Area. Half of Haiti's population is under the age of 21, and the country is severely impoverished. It's estimated that 80 percent of Haiti's residents live in total poverty.

UNICEF reports:

Funds are urgently needed to provide safe water, temporary shelter systems, essential medical supplies etc. UNICEF’s country office in Haiti and the regional office located in Panama has deployed emergency teams to assess the situation and determine what the additional emergency needs are for the people of Haiti.

You can donate to UNICEF's effort at http://www.unicefusa.org/haitiquake or call 1-800-4UNICEF

Stay tuned.

Help for Haiti after 7.0 Earthquake: updated donation list and information

This is an update of an earlier report on Help for Haiti after the 7.0 Earthquake.  The organization list was updated such that new information was placed in alphabetical order.

Haiti's an impoverished nation that is asking for fiscal help in the wake of the terrible destruction from the 7.0 Earthquake, the largest ever in that region of the World. Moreover the nation's being battered with aftershocks.

Power is out everywhere and people are in the dark and need help.  The capital city of Port-Au-Prince has been catastrophically damaged.

Fortunately, legitimate online help efforts are being established. Here are some of them as of this writing:

American Red Cross (Reportedly has contributed $200,000 to Haiti relief.)

AmeriCares Help For Haiti. Goes to their International Disaster Relief Fund.

Chuck Simmins also has this blog - http://northshorejournal.org/haiti-earthquake-aid - of coverage of the Haiti Earthquake Disaster and where to donate, including any organizations that may not be listed here.

Doctors without Boarders - not a Haiti Specific page as of this writing.

HaitiArise - HaitiArise has provided education and relief for the past six years. It's a registered Canadian charity and reports that 100 percent of donated funds go directly to Haiti.

Haiti Emergency Relief Fund - by Vanguard Public Foundation in San Francisco. Established for Haiti before the Earthquake.

Mercy Corps - Mercy Corps' website is devoted to the Haiti Earthquake Disaster; they're deploying a team bound for Haiti now.

Partners In Heath - You can use the drop-down menu to specify donations to Haiti.

Yele Haiti - Wyclef Jean's Haiti initiative to assist his native Haiti.

UNICEF - UNICEF has set up a special page for donations for the children of Haiti. In an email, UNICEF's Alissa Pinck reports: "UNICEF’s country office in Haiti and the regional office located in Panama is on the ground and have already deployed emergency teams to assess the situation and determine what the additional emergency needs are for the people of Haiti."

If there are any Haiti-specific efforts not listed here, please send an email to zennie@zennie62.com and this entry will be updated.

Haiti Earthquake: Mexican Embassy issues help notice

This latest update comes from Twitter and is related to the Mexican Embassy:

@HIValicious: Mexicans in need of help in #Haiti call Embassy of #Mexico (509) 3804-6962 3804-7296 bsanchezr@sre.gob.mx in Port-Au-Prince.
25 minutes ago from TweetDeck


Or...

The Mexican Embassy in Haiti has issued a number to call for Mexicans needing help in Haiti. The number is (509) 3804-6962 3804-7296 and email is bsanchezr@sre.gob.mx in Port au Prince.

(Mexicanos que necesiten auxilio en #Haiti llamar Embajada de #Mexico (509) 3804-6962, 3804-7296 bsanchezr@sre.gob.mx en Puerto Príncipe)

In related news, a 5.1 aftershock just erupted as of this writing. Reports are that buildings are still falling.

The 7.0 earthquake hit at 5 P.M. 10 miles and 6 miles below Haiti's capital city of Port-Au-Prince.

Stay tuned.

Help for Haiti after 7.0 Earthquake: updated donation list and information

This is an update of an earlier report on Help for Haiti after the 7.0 Earthquake.  The organization list was updated such that new information was placed in alphabetical order.

Haiti's an impoverished nation that is asking for fiscal help in the wake of the terrible destruction from the 7.0 Earthquake, the largest ever in that region of the World. Moreover the nation's being battered with aftershocks.

Power is out everywhere and people are in the dark and need help.  The capital city of Port-Au-Prince has been catastrophically damaged.

Fortunately, legitimate online help efforts are being established. Here are some of them as of this writing:

American Red Cross (Reportedly has contributed $200,000 to Haiti relief.)

AmeriCares Help For Haiti. Goes to their International Disaster Relief Fund.

Chuck Simmins also has this blog - http://northshorejournal.org/haiti-earthquake-aid - of coverage of the Haiti Earthquake Disaster and where to donate, including any organizations that may not be listed here.

Doctors without Boarders - not a Haiti Specific page as of this writing.

HaitiArise - HaitiArise has provided education and relief for the past six years. It's a registered Canadian charity and reports that 100 percent of donated funds go directly to Haiti.

Haiti Emergency Relief Fund - by Vanguard Public Foundation in San Francisco. Established for Haiti before the Earthquake.

Mercy Corps - Mercy Corps' website is devoted to the Haiti Earthquake Disaster; they're deploying a team bound for Haiti now.

Partners In Heath - You can use the drop-down menu to specify donations to Haiti.

Yele Haiti - Wyclef Jean's Haiti initiative to assist his native Haiti.

UNICEF - UNICEF has set up a special page for donations for the children of Haiti. In an email, UNICEF's Alissa Pinck reports: "UNICEF’s country office in Haiti and the regional office located in Panama is on the ground and have already deployed emergency teams to assess the situation and determine what the additional emergency needs are for the people of Haiti."

If there are any Haiti-specific efforts not listed here, please send an email to zennie@zennie62.com and this entry will be updated.

Twitter news, 7.0 Earthquake in Haiti near Port-au-Prince reveals damage

A 7.0 earthquake struck Haiti just 10 miles from Port-au-Prince, the nation's capital city. According to CNN, the earthquake knocked down buildings and inflicted "a catastrophe on the impoverished Caribbean nation."




NBC's Brian Williams reports that it's the largest earthquake ever to hit that region of the World.



The earthquake hit at 5 P.M; little information has come since then, but Twitter tweets indicate many people have friends, relatives, and relations in Haiti, and can't contact them:



reduceharm Can't get through to my aunt and some cousins who have phone access in Port-Au-Prince... who would've predicted.
2 minutes ago from web

Alexandros_ It appears situation in Haiti is bad. Really bad. Still no images or coverage from Port-au-Prince. Only scattered reports.
3 minutes ago from TweetDeck


But a person named Musician Richard Morse is producing tweets from there, as he reportedly manages a hotel in Port-au-Prince:



samseder Haiti 7.) earthquake RT@cbcconnect Musician Richard Morse, who also manages a hotel in Port-au-Prince, is tweeting updates @RAMhaiti
3 minutes ago from web



These are the latest tweets from Richard Morse at http://twitter.com/RAMhaiti as of 4:48 PM PST / 7:48 PM PST and arranged latest tweet first:



another aftershock..people are screaming and freaking out down towards the stadium..much singing and praying in large numbers
2 minutes ago from web

Collapsed UNIBANK building is on NYTIMES.com
11 minutes ago from web

people are needing medical supplies..food, housing; I don't know water situation;
12 minutes ago from web

I can't confirm what I hear about different buildings which are said to have collapsed but all reflects intensity of situation
14 minutes ago from web

A few people showing up @ Oloffson..roads are blocked by falling walls..much destruction on Grand Rue. I hear hospital General has collapsed
16 minutes ago from web

Phones are starting to work..got a call from some one who's house fell in, child is hurt but ok. .
19 minutes ago from web

we're ok..a little freaked out but ok..every one is hanging out outside on the driveway @mannysister
22 minutes ago from web

I see people on Rue Capois and I see some cars but i think getting around is difficult @tinoisette
23 minutes ago from web

isabelleMORSE much destruction on Grand Rue (Ave Dessalines) Daniel Morel's ok. Police Sta, Cathedral, Downtown teleco, Church St Anne all destroyed
31 minutes ago from web
Retweeted by RAMhaiti and 4 others

the tsunami warnings are for Jamaica and Cuba
about 1 hour ago from web

cars are starting to circulate..I see lights in the distance towards the wharf
about 1 hour ago from web

A huge hospital that was being built across from the Oloffson has collapsed
about 1 hour ago from web

Port au Prince is dark except for a few fires
about 1 hour ago from web

two helicopters have flown over head an hour ago but nothing since then
about 1 hour ago from web

they say it was a magnitude 7.0 earthquake..there are tsunami warnings here and in the Caribbean
about 1 hour ago from web

people are bringing people by on stretchers
about 1 hour ago from web

I'm told that parts of the Palace have collapsed..the UNIBANK here on Rue Capois has collapsed
about 1 hour ago from web

people are praying in groups..others are looking for relatives..no phone service..no electricity
about 1 hour ago from web

Our guests are sitting out in the driveway.. no serious damage here at the Oloffson but many large buildings nearby have collapsed
about 1 hour ago from web

lot's of rumors about which buildings were toppled..The Castel Haiti behind the Oloffson is a pile of rubble..it was 8 stories high
about 1 hour ago from web

Pete Carroll press conference at Seattle Seahawks

Former USC Head Coach Pete Carroll officially became the new head coach and executive vice president of The Seattle Seahawks in a press conference held at their headquarters today.

In his rambling, cheerleader way, Pete Carroll expressed how excited and happy he was to be in Seattle: "I am so fired up to be here today. Right from the beginning, they undersold. This is a tremendous place to come to work. It's really almost dreamlike for me."

Coach Carroll steps into a situation where, he says, the Seahawks are letting him do it his way: "They have embraced my approach (and) in a manner in which they want to wipe the path clear and give me the clearest opportunity to bring everything that I have to offer. That's really what I was looking for, the trust and belief from the top of the organization."

Pete Carroll leaves a legendary mark at USC. He has 97 wins and 19 losses, and two national championships. Pete Carroll's the only coach to have won the Rose Bowl three straight years, and has produced a record seven BCS bowl appearances.

And he leaves it all for Seattle and the Seahawks.

Pete Carroll takes over a team that's solid at quarterback with Matt Hasselbeck, but has questions in its defensive personnel. The Seahawks finished at 5 and 11, a record that led to the immediate ouster of Head Coach Jim Mora, Jr.

Here's a video of excerpts from today's press conference:



More duties than just coach


Pete Carroll will have a larger number of duties than just those of head coach. He will the kind of control that a general manager has but to a degree. Pete Carroll will actually pick his general manager, and work alongside, not for, that person. It's an arrangement that appears to circumvent the concerns of the Fritz Pollard Association, which advocated for the interviewing of and hiring of Minnesota Vikings Head Coach Leslie Frazier.

Stay tuned.