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PsiCop
January 17, 2010 7:54 AM
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This is a great example of the proverbial warning that \"No good deed goes unpunished.\"

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_hi_
January 18, 2010 12:55 PM
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I'd rather give my money to the bankers so they won't fail.

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FacebookAppMaker
January 17, 2010 8:28 AM
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I see two things wrong with donating by text:

1) When Verizon and AT&T finally make their donation, they will receive tax benefits, and you won't (at least here in canada you receive no receipt). If you want to donate, go to the Red Cross, and if you really want, ask for a receipt. It's great for tax time.

2) It's too easy to commit fraud with messages. There was an article i found on google about someone who made a facebook game, went to his local carriers store, opened up 10 lines of service on two accounts, went home, and sent hundreds of premium SMS to his own game, then ditched the bill. He received tens of thousands of dollars. His carrier received nothing

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shanelee24
January 17, 2010 8:26 PM
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Way to post what you think is \"fact\" without actually researching it.

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allstarecho
January 17, 2010 4:47 PM
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When you donate using the \"Haiti to 90999\", you get a reply back telling you how to get a receipt. The company that handles the actual text transaction is called mGive and you can get a receipt at http://www.mgive.org/receipt/ for your tax purposes.

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Anathema777
January 17, 2010 11:46 AM
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I don't know about Canada, but in the US, you can use your phone bill as a receipt for the charitable donation. So, yes, it is deductible.

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wrjohnston91283
January 17, 2010 8:49 AM
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1) When Verizon and AT&T finally make their donation, they will receive tax benefits, and you won't (at least here in canada you receive no receipt). If you want to donate, go to the Red Cross, and if you really want, ask for a receipt. It's great for tax time.

I'm almost positive that in order for them to receive the tax deduction, they will need to recognize the donations as revenue (which will be reduced by the donation amount, and have no effect on net income). What they're really doing is acting as a middleman who the money flows through. That being said, I don't know if it is deductible by the consumer, since they aren't donating directly to the red cross.

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El_Red
January 17, 2010 10:09 AM
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Actually, in Canada, if you use Telus (other companies, I'm not sure), you can get a tax receipt. They don't collect donations directly, it's a sms donation charity that does. And if you enter, on charity's website, your bill details, you can get a receipt for taxes.

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DAK
January 17, 2010 8:43 AM
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There are times where I wonder if people aren't just looking for a new way to do something, just to be different. That's not exactly what I'm trying to say, but why the need to text a donation? Between phones and the internet, it's not like it was that hard to find a way to donate to begin with. It just seems unnecessary to begin with.

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Seanumich
January 17, 2010 12:11 PM
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Many people do not know where or how to help. If I had to write a check, go to the post office, get a stamp (since I don;t have any at home), address the envelope, put it in the mailbox, I might just say screw it. If I can press 5 numbers and get the same result why wouldnt I? The entire purpose of anything involving parting people with their money is to make it as easy as possible. Stores do not take credit and debit cars out of the goodness oftheir hearts. They know it makes it easier for people to spend MORE.
Though, I am going to say that it is probably a GOOD thing the money would not reach Haiti until April. The governments around the world will give the IMMEDIATE money needed. The real key is 6 months from now when nobody sees it on the news any more. Hurricane Katrina is a prime example of this

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DangerMouth
January 17, 2010 4:10 PM
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While I agree that texting donations is a huge plus to get impulse donations, my local red cross is right around the corner, snugged in between a kinko's/fedex and a Panera's which offers free wifi and which I often use for impromptu business meetings. It's so handy, I've actually donated blood just because I was there, and had a spare half hour.

What I'm guessing is that there are many red cross locations that are handy to people, but that they just aren't aware of. Look up your closest red cross, it might be more convenient than you think.

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shanelee24
January 17, 2010 8:36 PM
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No matter how convienient it is, it certainly is more difficult than a 20 second text from home. Come on people, this is a good thing.

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Nicole
January 17, 2010 9:00 AM
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To me, the thinking is that people who might not think to donate otherwise may do so by text just because of how easy it is.

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techstar25
January 17, 2010 8:58 AM
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Never underestimate the laziness of the American public.

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Chongo
January 18, 2010 10:04 AM
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I don't think it's lazy at all to donate anything in any way. Now, if this were something like \"Text 44044 for a large sausage pizza\" then yes, I would agree with you

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henrygates3
January 17, 2010 8:55 AM
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This does actually make sense, since they really don't have your donation until you've given them your cash. Someone should have thought of this before hand though!

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3 replies
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1kamaz
January 17, 2010 11:34 PM
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The only donation I would give them is a shovel, so they can f*cking dig themselves out. That's what most other nations have traditionally done - just look at China. Out of all other nations that have been stricken by much more serious natural disasters, this one receives the most attention and aid from the already broke U.S. government. Why, oh why.. And now they are going to expect, no, DEMAND, that the U.S. taxpayers rebuild that sh*thole. Just take a look at the Google maps satellite map of Haiti - you can clearly see the border between Haiti and the Dominican Republic - they've hacked down nearly all of the vegetation on their half of the island. Surely, Dominican Republic was affected by the earthquake too, but you don't hear them complaining and begging. And after the U.S. pours billions into that worthless excuse of a country and rebuilds all of its infrastructure, it will look exactly the same 10 years from now. Flame me all you want for this, but I say if they aren't willing to rebuild their own nation, we should just let 'em rot. Sadly, that's not going happen..

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NatalieErin
January 18, 2010 12:07 AM
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Of FFS, get off the soapbox.

Every nation that experiences a natural disaster gets aid from all over the world. The US even received international aid after Hurricane Katrina. China is the exception, not the rule. Considering they accomplish what they accomplish by strict control of populace, I don't want them to become the rule.

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henrygates3
January 17, 2010 9:00 AM
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Looking at the whitehouse.gov website they are really pushing the texting donations, which seems like a bad idea now! clintonbushhaitifund.org looks like the only other obvious way to donate (they were touting the whitehouse.gov website for donations all day yesterday).

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missdona
January 17, 2010 9:15 AM
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I have no issue with this, as the relief efforts certainly will continue into the coming months and I'm sure that donations will drop off as the efforts continue. I donated directly, so my company would match.

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shanelee24
January 17, 2010 8:29 PM
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Thank you for your thoughtful post. Too many company bashers on here are jumping on the \"there's no way this won't get screwed up\" bandwagon. I wish people would think for a second before they make up their minds about things.

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TVGenius
January 17, 2010 2:12 PM
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Exactly. Throwing millions at Haiti this month isn't going to help; this stage of the recovery is best left to governments and the Red Cross. Where these donations will be needed most is in the coming months, trying to get the families, businesses, and ultimately, county, functioning again.

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Hoss
January 17, 2010 9:38 AM
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Only in America will you find lame excuses not to give. The people of Haiti are a model of giving. Please donate funds to trusted organizations and feel the warmth.

In my opinion, the country will be overwhelmed with supplies of food and medicines. i suggest Habitat for Humanity www.habitat.org

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brianguyy
January 19, 2010 9:46 AM
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the U.S. is expected to provide about $1B in PUBLIC aid and rebuilding efforts when all is said and done. this is my tax dollars, baby. sure I still donated some pocket money, but don't need the unnecessary guilt trip, thanks. private donations from citizens and corporations may easily equal that $1B mark.

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johnfrombrooklyn
January 18, 2010 10:24 AM
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You must know nothing about the rest of the world then. I've lived in the UK, Hong Kong, Manila, and Melbourne. The American people are - by far - the one nation of people that will volunteer their time and money to help other people in need. The amount of volunteer hours that Americans contribute per person is far and above that of any other country in the world. That is not a comment on the good, bad, or ugly of other countries or of the United States, but it's true.

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Anathema777
January 17, 2010 9:50 AM
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Where are you seeing excuses not to give? This article is just warning people that their donations may be delayed if they choose to donate in a certain way.

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Hoss
January 17, 2010 11:23 AM
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You did read the WSJ article, didn't you? The republican writer is saying not to follow Hillary's idea of donating by text. As if charities haven't already budgeted for future cash inflows. This is nonsense.

(We lost a niece in the earthquake. Not that that matters in my thinking, but please do not listen to any discouragement about giving.)

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pecan 3.14159265
January 17, 2010 9:15 PM
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There is absolutely no indication that the writer is a Republican who is anti-Hillary Clinton. We can disagree with each other in this country, you know. Just because the writer laid out the facts does not mean she is telling people to stop donating.

I personally did not donate by text - for a variety of reasons, but mostly because I trusted donating directly to the website first. Now that I know that donations will take 30 to 90 days to actually reach their destination, I am even more glad that I donated through a different method.

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Jesse
January 17, 2010 12:15 PM
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The author did not say not to donate via text message. They simply explained it could take 30-90 days for the pledged funds to reach the charitable organizations.

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Anathema777
January 17, 2010 11:27 AM
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The writer is saying not to donate by text, not to stop donating.

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Hoss
January 17, 2010 9:39 AM
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My first sentence was pretty bad english -- sorry about that

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Rachacha
January 17, 2010 9:40 AM
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This may not be a problem. Based on the news reports there are pleanty of supplies on the ground to assist the immediate ned, and more supplies are arriving daily. The US Government, Red Cross and foreign governments have stockpiles just so they have the supplies immediately when they are needed. As I understand it, the problem today is getting the supplies to the people who need them because the roads are littered with debris, or were ruined by the quake.

Supplies will be needed for quite some time until basic necessities and infrastructure can be brought back online. The donations will help to keep the supplies going and replenish the stockpiles at the red cross and other organizations.

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crazydavythe1st
January 18, 2010 12:13 AM
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I agree. In a few months, donations will have probably tapered off overall, and it's very likely this money will still be needed.

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LESSTHANKIND
January 17, 2010 10:02 AM
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Part of the attraction to this method, I'm sure, is there are many teenagers with cellphones who don't have credit cards to donate online, but would still like to do their part.

Also, maybe there are people who were VERY short on cash when this happened (between when the rent was paid and the mid-month paycheck arrived). But perhaps their next cellphone bill doesn't become due until next month, so they were able to make a text donation or two in the meantime.

In any event, this relief effort will be going on for months. Those few millions that *might* be delayed will come in handy for the rebuilding process down the road. There are plenty of millions that will be available immediately, between corporations, celebrities and direct donations from the public through websites. Criticizing one method as worthless is kind of counterproductive, and only serves to discourage giving by people who want to help in whatever way they can, IMHO. The money WILL get there, and it WILL be needed. This is not something that will be over in 90 days.

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davere
January 17, 2010 10:09 AM
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So I was one of those who donated $10 that way. I figured it was an easy quick credit-card-less way of donating.

Now I'm wondering if there is a way to take the donation back and donate directly instead. Or I guess I'll just make an extra donation. ..... Doctors without borders, you just got some cash from me.

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shanelee24
January 17, 2010 8:24 PM
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Be proud of your donation. This is a stupid article that shouldve been scrutinized a little more. Your money, when it hits, will help the Haitians when they need it most. They are receiving too much in the way of supplies like it is. But two months down the road the money hitting will help rebuild and reinforce infrastructure. They aren't ready for that yet. Read the CNN article of the same name for verification. This article makes the telcos sound bad, when in all reality this is what the experts are saying is necessary. Once again, be proud.

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yevarechecha
January 17, 2010 1:50 PM
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I gave to Doctors Without Borders as well. I couldn't shake the feeling that by donating through Verizon, some of it would be lopped off. If a chunk is going to be taken out, I'd rather it go to DWB's administrative overhead than my cell phone company's.

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Conformist138
January 18, 2010 8:11 AM
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nothing will be taken out by verizon (not even the most ruthless company would take that kind of risk, they'd know if anyone even suspected it, they'd be ruined by the bad press it would get), and, as everyone has said, the money will be needed then as it is now. it's ok that it's not there this second, the problem isn't over, it's just started.

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jamar0303
January 17, 2010 10:37 AM
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Out of curiosity, do any charities accept donations via Paypal or wire transfer? I don't have any other way, but I really want to donate.

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pantheonoutcast
January 17, 2010 10:43 AM
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And in a few months, Consumerist will be posting a story about how millions of dollars in donations sent via text messages never reached their intended recipients, and instead ended up in the hands of a corrupt few. There will be outrage among the majority of readers, disbelief among others, and, in the case of a handful of cynics, a collective shrugging of shoulders combined with an exclamation of \"Yup. Knew that was going to happen.\"

A lot of people will blame the wireless carriers, a bunch more will blame Obama, and a few clueless holdouts will blame Bush.

Someone will comment on how it would have been easier to donate to (Insert Big Charity Here) directly, only to be answered by someone who says that (Big Charity) is fraudulent, discriminatory, or otherwise unseemly. That person will not provide any supporting evidence.

And at least one person will attempt to be humorous by saying, \"That's why I make my own donations at home.\" It will, in fact, not be humorous.

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Hoss
January 17, 2010 6:06 PM
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There was a time when misdirected goods to Haiti could be intercepted by your corrupt few, but in this emergency please donate to a trusted organization nothing will get lost. Nothing. The people of Haiti are loving and giving and will not tolerate issues with aid relief

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shanelee24
January 17, 2010 12:43 PM
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What a stupid and overly cynical comment. Already these people are receiving money and aid, but you feel the need to slam it because in your mind the only decency in the work comes from you. You sir are an unfortunate by product of this web site, the self serving, all companies are evil, let's firebomb the world type. Your attitude makes me suck, in the face if such a huge tragedy.

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liz.lemonade
January 17, 2010 1:14 PM
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And I saw his comment as poking fun at the way the Consumerist comment threads tend to work (especially the \"I make my own\" bit), rather than at the worthiness of donating to Haitian relief or other charitable causes. Nearly every one of his \"predictions\" were spot-on for how people here often react to damn near anything.

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shanelee24
January 17, 2010 12:45 PM
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Makes me sick, meant to say. Not suck. To irritated to review the comment first.

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pantheonoutcast
January 17, 2010 12:59 PM
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Your Freudian Slip is showing...

...as is your lack of reading comprehension.

Your ability to be judgmental and jump to conclusions seem to finely honed, though.

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shanelee24
January 17, 2010 1:04 PM
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You make it easy to be judgmental, and there is nothing wrong with my reading skills. You were either serious, or failed in an attempt to be humorous. Either way, it's not a situation to joke about.

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Anathema777
January 17, 2010 11:16 AM
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So basically what you're saying is this: \"If we found out that someone stole this donation money, many would be outraged, I, on the other hand, would me smug and self-satisfied.\"

Did you want kudos for your edgy comment?

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pantheonoutcast
January 17, 2010 12:37 PM
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Yes, please Text Message your kudos to GETASENSEOFHUMOR. Standard messaging rates will apply.

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shanelee24
January 17, 2010 12:56 PM
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Sounded more like a politically misguided rant. There was nothing funny about your comment, and it made me think that you probably suck as a person. If that is your sense of humor, then I feel sorry for those that have to be around you on a daily basis.

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pantheonoutcast
January 17, 2010 1:09 PM
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Ad Hominem attacks - truly the mark of an enlightened individual. I tell you what: if, in three or four months' time my predictions don't come to pass, then I'll buy you a box of cupcakes as my way of saying \"I'm wrong.\"

However, I stand by my statements; there WILL be future controversy about these charitable donations, because there has been controversy about EVERY charitable donation made in the information age.

I have every right to be cynical, because I have very little faith in society in general. History bears me out on my observations.

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shanelee24
January 17, 2010 1:18 PM
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Then I tell you what, dig a hole, cement it up, fill it full of food and some form of entertainment, and go away. Please. The rest of us will donate and watch as the work comes together in this tragedy, and hopefully some will regain some humanity along the way. Sounds like it's too late for you.

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pantheonoutcast
January 17, 2010 1:24 PM
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If you would stop jabbing away at the keyboard for a moment, remain still and quiet, and concentrate real hard, you may be able to hear the faint, but recognizable sound of the point whizzing directly over your head.

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shanelee24
January 17, 2010 2:46 PM
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I got your point bud. A jab at consumerist and at the comments thread also, and the people that visit this site. But enough ideas like yours might lead some to not donate, or to lose faith in what little we gave left. Your cynicism may be warranted, it could actually affect people. Save it for an article about best buy, and I'll join in.

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shanelee24
January 17, 2010 2:23 PM
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I got your point bud. A jab at consumerist and at the comments thread also, and the people that visit this site. But enough ideas like yours might lead some to not donate, or to lose faith in what little we gave left. Your cynicism may be warranted, it could actually affect people. Save it for an article about best buy, and I'll join in.

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Anathema777
January 17, 2010 12:50 PM
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When you say something funny, then we can talk about my sense of humor.

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shanelee24
January 17, 2010 11:00 AM
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How about, congrats large telcos for setting up a system where people can donate on the fly. If you read the CNN article about this, you would see that this is standard, always happens, and the people there helping are happy about this as it will create an influx of cash down the road when they need it. Why are we always slamming companies regardless of what they do? I find it pathetic that we slam these guys for setting this system up to help.

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hatrack666
January 17, 2010 7:12 PM
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Yay, Telcos!! I hear on the psa's that \"regular text charges may apply\". Way to buck up for the cause.

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shanelee24
January 17, 2010 9:24 PM
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Regular charges will apply. It's still a text. That dosent take away from the fact that they have set up a donation system that will benifit people in a serious amount of need right now. they should be commended, not ridiculed. Thank you verizon, AT&T, tmobile, sprint, and all others for providing a portal for a charitable cause that will help people who desperately need it.

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Julia789
January 17, 2010 11:08 AM
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But Red Cross already said - there is no hold up. They have millions of dollars in reserves they are putting into use immediately, and the text donations will replenish these emergency reserves. So they are \"instantly\" helping.

They were on the news, Red Cross executives, saying this last night - saying keep donating by text if it's convenient for you because we are getting the money. When they see they have $5 Million in text donations, for example, they take $5 Million out of emergency reserves and send it to Haiti in form of supplies and rescue workers.

In addition, rescue efforts will be taking months, not days. So all donations are welcome.

Donate blood at your local Red Cross as well. They will be sending blood supplies to Haiti, which will need to be replenished here in the U.S. Just as our text donations replenish monetary donations, we can also donate blood to replenish Red Cross supplies. Type \"O\" is especially needed at ALL times. I'm type O so I donate every two months. I have to take an iron supplement to keep doing it this often, and it is uncomfortable, but it saves lives. Typo O is very rare.

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Kerov
January 17, 2010 1:45 PM
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After incessantly asking for blood in the days following 9/11, the Red Cross ended up with *way* too much blood and incinerated most of the donations. After that manipulative fiasco, clearly designed to meet unrelated needs by using 9/11 as a \"marketing opportunity,\" I'm unduly skeptical of Red Cross appeals for blood.

And quite frankly, I don't completely understand why the Red Cross Blood Services pockets a couple hundred bucks for selling the blood I donated. And why it's A-OK to pay people for plasma donations, but it's somehow verboten to pay for whole-blood donations. The whole blood business sets off my \"someone is grossly abusing my good will\" meter.

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Julia789
January 17, 2010 9:36 PM
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They don't \"pocket\" the money the hospitals pay them for blood for routine use. It costs a LOT of money to pay all those thousands of nurses to take that donated blood. It costs a lot of money for the Red Cross to have EVERY blood donation tested in a laboratory for many different diseases, that could be transmitted to others. It costs money to store the blood. It costs money to transport the blood. It costs money to run a network keeping track of all the donors and their health status. It costs money to run the donation centers and mobile donation clinics. If they make anything - anything at all - besides breaking even on what they spent preparing the blood for use, the money is immediately put back to use in preparing new blood donations for those that cannot pay for it - such as rescue efforts overseas and in disasters - and for improving the systems in place to collect, test, store, and distribute blood.

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DangerMouth
January 17, 2010 4:21 PM
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In the days following 911, iirc, we kept thinking there would be more (thousands of) injured survivors.

It took a day or two to realize that if they hadn't got out that morning, they weren't coming out at all.

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huadpe
January 17, 2010 12:34 PM
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I'm O positive myself but not allowed to donate. Stupid rules about men who have had sex with men since 1972.

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liz.lemonade
January 17, 2010 1:16 PM
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I'd also love to give blood, but I'm banned because I lived in London for a year back in 1995. Something about how the evil menace of Mad Cow Disease might be lurking in my hemoglobin.

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milrtime83
January 17, 2010 11:09 AM
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The WSJ article must be older. This is from the 15th:

http://bits.blogs.nytimes.com/2010/01/15/verizon-speeds-up-text-message-donations-to-haiti/

They are sending donations much earlier.

\"Verizon Wireless said it had transmitted nearly $3 million to the American Red Cross for its efforts to help victims of the earthquake in Haiti. \"

“We are bypassing our normal financing accounting and checks and balances,” said a Verizon Wireless spokesman, Jeffrey Nelson. “We’re doing it because the humanitarian need is immediate.”

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bikeoid
January 17, 2010 11:12 AM
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Hey, if AT&T and Verizon can afford to \"advance\" $63,000 worth of data downloads to some poor random schlub who wanted to view a movie while he was in Mexico, surely they can 'advance' $10 donations to the Red Cross?

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Trai_Dep
January 17, 2010 11:21 AM
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I'm assuming that the carriers are waiving the usual transaction fees for this?
(I'm resigned to be informed that in fact, no, they're not)

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Syrenia
January 17, 2010 12:11 PM
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The 4 major US ones are. I read Friday that VISA, MC, and AMEX are also waiving their percentages for certain organizations for the near future, when you donate by credit card.

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anthonyris
January 17, 2010 11:31 AM
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In respinse to Trai_Dep:

Mobile Giving donations are not subject to carrier premium transaction fees.

The full $5 or $10 you donate goes directly to the charity.

.//A.

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anthonyris
January 17, 2010 11:29 AM
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Thank you for highlighting the Mobile Giving programs that directly benefit the Haiti Relief efforts.

I am the CEO of Mobile Commons, one of the companies that enable Mobile Giving via text. The very last thing Haiti needs right now is for people to delay their contributions because of any confusion related to Mobile Giving. This is a relatively new way to donate for many, although we have been enabling mobile donations for several years now.

Yes, historically, there has been a 30-90 time period required by the carriers to distribute charitable donations raised via mobile billing. This has *never* been an issue during regular fundraising drives. *However*, the crisis in Haiti has prompted many of the carriers to immediately disburse funds to the relief organizations. We applaud their actions!

In fact, the article title could read: Mobile Donations Now Flowing Immediately to Relief Organizations!

A number of relief organizations have launched new text-to-give programs in the last 24 hours. Everyone's help is needed. A full list is at http://www.mobilecommons.com/blog/

New Mobile Giving Programs:
•Text HABITAT to 25383 to donate $10 to Habitat for Humanity
• Text CARE to 25383 to donate $10 to CARE
• Text HAITI to 25383 to donate $5 to International Rescue Committee
• Text OXFAM to 25383 to donate $10 to Oxfam International
• Text LIVE to 25383 to donate $10 to Americares
• Text AJWS to 25383 to donate $10 to American Jewish World Service
• Text Relief to 30644 to donate to Catholic Relief Services

Again, thanks for supporting the efforts.

- Anthony Risicato
CEO - Mobile Commons

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bikeoid
January 17, 2010 5:23 PM
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I checked with the web sites of Catholic Relief Services, Habitat for Humanity, and Oxfam America - none of them list your special text message yet. I hope you're legitimate, but just would advise everyone not to donate this way until the text message information is listed on the charity web site of your choice and matches what's here.

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CompyPaq
January 17, 2010 12:15 PM
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Can I just say kudos to Verizon for advancing the pledges?

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humphrmi
January 17, 2010 1:00 PM
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In other news, places to spend money in Haiti May Be Delayed Up To 3 Months.

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liz.lemonade
January 17, 2010 1:04 PM
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I did the text message fundraising drive for This American Life last month. While I think it's a very clever concept, my frustration there was that it ended up involving four messages. I don't have the unlimited texting package on my iPhone because I send maybe a grand total of ten per year (my family and friends aren't into SMS). I texted \"Life\" to donate. They replied and asked me to confirm. I replied with the code. They replied to thank me. So, it cost me a dollar to donate -- which I can afford, sure, but it was still frustrating.

This time, I thought the Red Cross donation drive was a wonderful idea, but I chose to skip that method out of a reluctance to get caught in a loop of texts and confirmations. Instead, I went to Charity Navigator, did some research, and donated to a small Haiti-based charity. The Red Cross, Doctors without Borders, and the other big names are quite worthy, but I personally preferred to give to a smaller, under-the-radar group. (Your mileage may vary!)

This reminds me a bit of the way we approach credit cards. I really love the idea of texting donations that show up on your phone bill, even if it will take a few months for them to be applied to the organization. While I'd like to be high-minded, I also know my own laziness well enough that I'm far more likely to do that sort of thing (aside from the SMS charges) than to make the effort to go to a donations webpage and enter my card number. It's a bit similar to the mindset behind credit -- \"I'll do something now and pay for it later.\"

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shanelee24
January 17, 2010 10:47 PM
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So, all in all, it cost you an extra dollar to send money to a charitable orginization? What a burdon. I wish all of those people who you were sending money to could switch places with you, as it seems you were truly put out. You do realize that your post could lead some to not contribute at all, right? Hopefully not, but this was set up as an effortless way to help. One measly dollar. Makes me proud to be an American.

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donjumpsuit
January 17, 2010 1:12 PM
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There exists so much fraud in this world (Mortgage crisis anyone?), especially when concerning donations after tragedies. Donating $10 by text is such a cop out, and a product of our drive thru generation. As Americans, our tax dollars are already doing more for Haiti, then the $10 will do, which is mostly just free advertising for wireless companies (see tax credit). Here is a handy list you should consult to give the most after a crisis.
1.Find a family that has been directly affected, and offer them assistance. Being in contact with them and thier needs will give you the good feelings you want and be far more productive.
2. Get on a plane and give your time. Time is more valuble than money and shows you, not only care, but are willing to be uncomfortable for a few weeks. If you can't, find those who can from your local area and offer your support ( via buying them supplies) or watching thier pets or responsibilities while they are gone.
3. Wait for the initial histeria to calm down, and focus your efforts on rebuilding. Sometimes this also includes spending vacation dollars there if that is a #1 industry for them.

If you follow this guide, you can consider yourself a tremendous help versus a $10 text, which just exists as a Nigerian scam on your heartstrings.

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shanelee24
January 18, 2010 12:43 AM
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Sorry, I know your heart is in the right place, but this is one of the stupidest posts I've ever seen. So misguided and full of non facts it makes my head hurt. This is not a scam, and can easily be verified as legitimate. As for number 2? Are you serious? You can't possibly think that's a good idea.

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Seanumich
January 17, 2010 4:11 PM
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A dumb answer. Finding ONE family is silly. It will mark that family in their community and won't help the general population. Maybe you do not understand the concept of synergy. It is that 1+1=3 if you do thing effectively. Giving to a single family can only be a 1+1=2 solution.
As for going to help in person, STAY THE FUCK HOME. Unless you have a specific skill set that is involved in disaster relief what are you going to do? Take food from starving people? Stay in a hotel or home that could be shelter for a family displaced? Too many morons thought they could help out on 911 and caused more harm than good.
As for vacationing there, that is not their issue. The country has been destroyed due to environmental destruction and corrupt governments supported under Amerrican presidents because of some obsession to avoid a Cuba. The people of Haiti have been far worse than the people of Cuba for years, and they supposedly have a democracy.

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HungryGal
January 17, 2010 2:26 PM
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They want money.

They don't want untrained US civilians there.

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SabyneWired
January 17, 2010 1:24 PM
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They're actually saying NOT to do #2. Too many people think they can hop on a plane and go help, only to be totally overwhelmed by what's going on. The staff then has to babysit these people who went down to try and \"do a good thing\". They need skilled folks, sure, but not the average Joe who wants to go down and help.

Right now these charities need money. That can help buy the things they need to help the people.

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Eldritch
January 17, 2010 1:35 PM
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I heard all the hype about the text donations but wasn't entirely sure how it worked, so instead I gave my money directly to Doctors Without Borders and UNICEF.

I am such a wibbly little thing. I think I'm going to be one of those old spinster ladies who leaves all her money to charities when she dies, leaving behind angry family members.

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HungryGal
January 17, 2010 2:23 PM
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Oy. I had a feeling this would backfire. I'm glad I donated the old fashioned way by spending 5 minutes of my precious time to go to the Doctor's Without Borders website and fill out a form.

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XTC46
January 17, 2010 3:44 PM
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I love seeing how giving people are, but look around you. This earthquake left many in Haiti homeless and without food, but on any given day, there are 2-3 million people (about 30% of Haiti's total population) homeless in America. How about we fix our country first?

I decided that for 2010, any time a natural disaster comes up in another country, I am going to give to a charity in my neighborhood (I already give several times a year) becasue it means they likely just lost money due to people in another country, and in my opinion, that sucks.

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pecan 3.14159265
January 17, 2010 9:28 PM
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Yes, there are millions who are dying - yes, there are millions who aren't doing well on a day to day basis - but the people in Haiti are part of that. There are homeless people, ill people, and the fact that the country just suffered the largest natural disaster in their recent history puts these people in an even worse situation.

Just because people are sending more money does not necessarily mean they're otherwise heartless or cruel. For that matter, who are you to tell people they're being selfish for not helping the other homeless and poor people when you say you're going to deny funding to some people because their homes were just destroyed. What's your attitude here - \"you should have been thankful you had a home that (insert natural disaster here) destroyed - the people I'm helping didn't even have homes.\"

Get off your high horse. Everyone needs help, and it doesn't make people terrible for donating to a specific cause with an immediate need.

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pashalaw
January 17, 2010 3:54 PM
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This is a great point. Most money will come in now and will truly be needed as global aid diminishes.

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BuffaloGal
January 17, 2010 6:27 PM
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Even if the money takes a cycle or two to get there, I'm sure that the people of Haiti will still be in need then. Please don't let this sour you on giving to them! I chose to do the Doctors Without Borders, but if this is your way to give, then do it!

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babylaf
January 18, 2010 12:09 AM
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Let me suggest donations to Partners in Health (PIH), an extraordinary organization that has been serving the poorest of the poor in Haiti for more than 20 years with thorough medical care, follow-up and combining of parallel necessary services (education, sanitation, training, water, agriculture). It's also rated four stars (the highest rating) by Charity Navigator, an independent charity evaluator.

You can join me in contributing by going to this link: http://act.pih.org/page/outreach/view/haitiearthquake/StandForHaitiWithLeslie

If you'd like to learn more about this amazing group and its extraordinary leader, Dr. Paul Farmer (a winner of a a MacArthur \"genius\" award), I strongly recommend the book \"Mountains Beyond Mountains\" by Tracy Kidder. You can read about the book at:

http://www.amazon.com/Mountains-Beyond-Farmer-Random-Readers/dp/0812980557/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1263751876&sr=8-1

(Note in particular the review from the New England Journal of Medicine).

There is also an article in the Guardian today that talks in part about the stellar work for which PIH is responsible:

http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2010/jan/17/haiti-earthquake-aid-casualties

Stop kvetching! Start giving--an amount which is personally signficant for you. Thank you!
Leslie

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brianguyy
January 19, 2010 9:42 AM
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prepaid, baby

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Mitogenesis
January 19, 2010 12:10 PM
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Things to do today.
1. Stop medical supplies from being boarded on plane.
2. Burn all workable plans to cure world hunger.
3. Delay much needed donations from reaching their destination in a timely fashion.
4. Irritate good doers.

lol

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