HELPING HAITI

A lot of us feel bad, and would like to help, but just don't know where to start. Here are some suggestions and links to reputable sites. I have posted more then one, because I know some people have issues with, for example, Red Cross (the percentage that goes directly to the cause is not what it should be) so I have given options and descriptions.


1) Money is the easiest and most efficient way of making a difference. Remember, when you donate "stuff" it takes money to get it there.

Operation Helping Hands - Join United Way of Miami and University of Miami in providing relief to the people of Haiti devastated by the catastrophic earthquake.


Red Cross- You can specify where you want your money to go. It helps keep it from being spent on "management" stuff.

Food For the Poor - They have been helping Haiti for years.

2) Donate "Stuff" too. It sure is easy to clean out the pantry by donating cans and clean out the closet by donating extra blankets and towels and the pile of clothes you were going to send to Goodwill. It does help. But finding an organization or church in your area that is collecting to ship might be difficult. The Catholic diocese has told their churches to collect money, not stuff. So your best bet is to check your local news station and see if they have listings for donation drop off points.

What "stuff" do they want? What ever you have, but to be more specific, see the below list. Please bring in your items in a box or sturdy bag, not just loose.

SHELTER:
Sheets
Blankets
Towels
Tents
Tarps

POWER:
Candles
Flashlights
Flashlight Batteries - D cells
Matches / lighters
Lanterns + lantern oil


MEDICINE:
Rubbing alcohol
Hydrogen peroxide
Iodine
Bandages
Gauze
Aspirin
Soap
Baby diapers


FOOD:
Canned food with TAB OPENINGS not requiring can openers - soup, tuna, etc
Energy bars
Formula
Bottled water



Drop off locations that I have found through different news sources. I tried to cover different geographic locations:



Slalom Community Church

900 NE 132 St
North Miami, FL

Financial Solutions

4491 Stirling Rd, Suite 101
Dania Beach, FL
(One block east of 441 & Sterling Rd)


Simmons & Green
5842 Sunset Dr
Mon - Fri 10 AM- 5 PM



LEED education company, Sustainable Four, along with Prime Time Boat Rentals at Miami Beach Marina are sponsoring a collection point at 1st St & Alton Road. A 26 ft truck will be there to receive what you can give.


Another way to give, if you know someone with family back in Haiti, give the money to them. They can send it directly to their family, and you skip all the in between. My father and his partner are doing that with all of their Haitian employees.

3) Donate blood.
I know, you're thinking how is me donating blood all the way over here, going to help them in Haiti? First of all, many of the badly injured have already been moved to South Florida hospitals. More are coming. So if you live in Miami, the answer is evident. If you live farther away, the need is going to shift all the supplies south. And besides, they always need your blood.