Haiti Earthquake Relief Efforts - Music for Relief and the Download to Donate for Haiti Project

A 7.0-magnitude earthquake ravaged Haiti on January 12, 2010. Since that time the world has come together to offer support and humanitarian aid to victims of the catastrophic Haiti earthquake. Musicians have quickly and generously joined the global efforts to assist; many musical superstars have donated previously unreleased songs to help raise money for the earthquake survivors and for the long-term, sustainable rebuilding of Haiti.

Music for Relief is a 501 (c) (3) non-profit organization founded by the music group Linkin Park. This band's charitable foundation is dedicated to offering humanitarian aid to victims of natural disasters around the world. Founded in 2005, Music for Relief has raised more than $3 million for victims of a variety of disasters - and is currently focusing on earthquake relief efforts in Haiti. As stated on the website, Music for Relief is "artists, music industry professionals, and fans working together to create positive change."

True to this mission, Linkin Park's Music for Relief has teamed with Habitat for Humanity, the United Nation Foundation's Central Emergency Response Fund, and the Dave Matthews Band's BAMA Works organization's Haitian relief effort. This esteemed group had developed a project they call Download to Donate for Haiti.

Download to Donate for Haiti is an outstanding collection of 10 songs. Musicians and bands including Linkin Park, the Dave Matthews Band, Alanis Morissette, Slash and Beth Hart, Peter Gabriel, Kenna, Lupe Fiasco, the All-American Rejects, Hoobastank and Enrique Iglesias all contributed new or previously unreleased music for the Download to Donate for Haiti project. The 10-song album is available for download here.

In a released statement the musicians encourage their families, friends and fans to download the music and give whatever they can; that every donation - regardless of the amount - helps. The clearly stated goal of Download to Donate for Haiti is to provide fresh water, food, shelter and emergency medical supplies to the Haitian earthquake survivors.

I'm listening to this eclectic compilation of songs as I write this. Tracks on Download to Donate for Haiti include: Linkin Park's "Not Alone," a live version of "Typical Situation" by the Dave Matthews Band, an acoustic version of Alanis Morissette's "Still," Peter Gabriel's "Make Tomorrow," a remix of "The Wind Blows" by the All-American Rejects, Slash's "Mother Maria" featuring Beth Hart, "We Are One" by Hoobastank, "Never Let Me Down" sung by Kenna, "Resurrection" preformed by Lupe Fiasco and Kenna, and "It Must Be Love" by Enrique Iglesias.

There is no specified cost to download the 10 Download to Donate for Haiti songs. It's the responsibility of each person to determine how much they choose to donate for the album download. In fact, these fine musicians feel that if you can't make a small monetary donation, you can still be a part of the project by helping to spread the word. Tell your friends about the project, embed widgets (provided on the MFR website) on your website or blog, or perhaps you want to link to this article (yeah!). Whatever assistance you can offer is encouraged.

According to the Music for Relief website,100% of the funds generated from the Download to Donate for Haiti project go to the Haiti earthquake relief efforts. The proceeds will be used to provide all manner of immediate humanitarian aid as well as long-range housing solutions for Haitians affected by this devastating natural disaster.

Right now, I'd say "Never Let Me Down" is my favorite song, or maybe it's "Resurrection." No, wait - it's "You Are Not Alone." Really, it's impossible to choose. Why not see for yourself? I urge you to Download to Donate for Haiti and mention your favorite song in the comment section below.

You can also make a $5 donation to Music for Relief by texting the word RELIEF to 90999.

Sources:
http://www.musicforrelief.org/
MTV News