On Tuesday, January 12th, a major earthquake struck Haiti, causing major devastation. The Red Cross is estimating that 3 million people have been affected -- that's one third of the country. There are many ways you can help:
You can help out the cause now right from your cell phone.
Text “Haiti” to 90999 and $10 will go to the Red Cross from your next phone bill.
Text “Yele” to 501501 and $5 will go to the Yele Haiti Earthquake Fund from your next phone bill.
More options and information
From MTV.com, here is a comprehensive list of ways you can help or get more info.
The American Red Cross has a full-time staff on the ground in Haiti, providing ongoing HIV/AIDS prevention and disaster preparedness programs, and has already pledged an initial $200,000 to assist communities impacted by the earthquake. They seek additional donations to continue providing food, water, temporary shelter, medical services and emotional support.
UNICEF saw its offices in Port-au-Prince suffer heavy damages in the earthquake, but is ready to provide relief, deploying "essential aid" — safe water, sanitation supplies, therapeutic foods, temporary shelter materials and medical supplies — to assist in recovery efforts.
Yele Haiti is Wyclef's own charitable organization, and has established an online donation site to help victims of the earthquake. Through his Twitter account, he's also asking his fans to lend a hand, by making a $5 donation by texting YELE to 501501.
Direct Relief International is a U.S.-based organization that provides medical assistance to impoverished nations, and has committed up to $1 million to aid emergency response efforts. Already, they have sent two 40-by-20-foot containers packed with more than $420,000 of medicine, supplies and food to St. Damien Children's Hospital in Port-au-Prince.
World Vision has worked in Haiti for 30 years, and is seeking donations to provide victims with food, water, blankets and tents.
Operation USA already operates in Haiti, and is sending medical aid, water-purification supplies and food supplements to the nation.
Convoy of Hope has established a command center just outside of Port-au-Prince, and is distributing food, water and supplies to the victims of the earthquake.
Samaritan's Purse is a Christian organization that, for over 35 years, has provided assistance to victims of natural disaster, war, disease and famine. In Haiti, they are helping survivors with food, water and temporary shelter.
Also, the State Department has set up a toll-free number to call for information about family members in Haiti: (888) 407-4747.
This Is A Real Job...For Real!
Last week we found out that Dane County is going to be voting on a referendum question about legalizing medicinal marijuana.Now, I found this story today that there is a guy in Colorado who may be the first pot taste-tester in the US. A Denver newspaper hired him as a critic saying that there are [...]
"in this economy" a self-fulfilling prophecy?
Hey, can we all just drop the "in this economy" stuff?I know it's hard, but I also know that it's never been easy. So how about we drop the "in this economy" comment, which just sounds to me like a self-fulfilling prophecy.You might be surprised at how well a sentence without "in this economy" still [...]
Not Too Early To Think Badger Hockey
Thanks to Channel 3000 for this awesome story. On the coaching staff this season, we have a former Badger and a Former Gopher Coach turned Badger. How sweet it is.First home game is October 15th. 2.5 months away!
My Garage Sale
I just can't get out of my head, the story about a man finding Ansel Adam's photo negatives at a garage sale. He bought them for $45 and they're estimated to be worth $200 million.It makes me wonder if I have anything of value in my basement or garage.Lets see, anyone willing to offer [...]
Are you having a "double work" week? Yes, but vacation awaits, right?
I'm going on vacation next week, but am killing myself this week to get more than one week's worth of work done, and I'm not sure why.Why is it that, in order to take one week of vacation from work, so many of us feel the need to get two weeks' worth of work done [...]
Baked French Toast
Madison's Favorite Recipes has a doozy of a breakfast dish for you...baked French toast with your choice of fruit–bananas, apples, cranberries or whatever!? It can also be put together the night before so you can just pop it in the oven the next morning. Start with these ingredients...8 slices of cinnamon swirl bread2 medium bananas, [...]
Salt
Rated PG-13 – 1h40I know the doctors say I should cut back, but I would love an extra thrilling serving of Salt.Evelyn Salt (Angelina Jolie) is a female action hero living up to her full potential. She’s right up there with Ellen Ripley from “Alien” and Sarah Connor from “Terminator.”Salt is a seasoned CIA [...]
The Girl Who Played With Fire
Rated R – 2h9Imagine you just ate a delicious steak and the next day you were given dog food for dinner. That’s how I felt with Swedish-subtitled The Girl Who Played With Fire. This is a bad sequel.The follow up to the impressive thriller: The Girl With Dragon Tattoo, (and the trilogy [...]
