How to Help the Haiti Earthquake Relief - a Must Read for Everyone Who Donates

Haiti, one of the poorest nations in the Western Hemisphere, has been devastated by a massive earthquake on January 12, 2010. If you are wondering what you can do to help, there are a few things. The fastest way to help right now is to donate to a Haiti Relief Fund that will help Haiti immediately.

If you wonder if your donation to help Haiti will matter or make a difference, it will. Every little bit counts. For instance, there are over 24 million-that is 24,000,000 individual residents-in Texas. If only 20 million people each donated just $5 to the Haiti Earthquake Disaster Relief Fund through Lakewood Church, then this would total $100 million to provide medical care for the Haitians.

To effectively help a nation faced with an earthquake disaster like Haiti, it takes individuals working together-uniting despite differences and setting aside personal conflicts-to create a giant movement of compassionate individuals donating money and individuals serving as they are called or gifted with their neighbors, friends, family, communities, churches, organizations, and corporations working in unison and support.

There are over 300 million-that is 300,000,000 people-in just the US alone. Won't you join together with me to help save lives and rebuild Haiti?

Step 1
Decide what you can afford to donate right now. Maybe you can skip a latté ($3) this afternoon or eating out instead of eating at home tonight ($10). Or maybe you decide that you could spare 1 hour of your value-if you make $7 an hour, then give $7 or if you make $30 an hour, give $30.

Step 2
Select the tax deductible method that you would like to use to donate to a Haiti earthquake relief effort. Credit card donations are processed faster than mailing in personal checks. Personal checks take time to clear as well as a few days extra if you mail them in. Some organizations are accepting cash, be sure to get a receipt to save for your tax deductions.

Step 3
Select the organization or several organization relief efforts that you would like to support. Take the time to consider your choices and options by comparing the individual benefits different organizations offer. If you are a Christian and would like to have the Word of God shared with those in Haiti in addition to medical treatment, consider choosing a Christian non-profit organization to support with your tax deductible donation. Some ministries have teams of highly trained professional doctors and surgeons who are also ministers and preachers of the Word of God as well.

Step 4
Donate now. Donate today. Don't delay. Donating right now enables the relief efforts to be able to move faster to get into Haiti and recover trapped people. Each day that passes before relief efforts in Haiti get moving on a large scale will result in thousands of people dying as they lay trapped. So whatever you can donate now, do it now, even if only $5.

Step 5
Spread the word about donating to organizations to help with the Haiti earthquake relief efforts to family, friends, loved ones, coworkers, fellow students, and church members. If you attend a small church, raise money in your church and then pool the money together with other churches in your area to donate to larger churches and organizations that are sending resources and aid to Haiti.

Step 6
Plan to donate again over the next few weeks, even if it is just $5 a week. $5 a week for 5 weeks adds up to $25 dollars and this can provide medications or food to Haitians in need due to the earthquake disaster. Don't forget about this devastating earthquake after your first donation because Haiti will not be rebuilt or restored over night.

Step 7
Consider cutting back on a few items at the grocery store each week, skipping a few activities, or changing your plans a little to find extra money to donate. Maybe you can watch a movie at home and make your own popcorn to save $15 extra to send to help Haiti instead. Wouldn't you want someone to do that for you or your family or your children or grandchildren? I would. Surely human lives and relieving suffering is more valuable than entertainment.

Step 8
Sell a few items that you don't need or use in a garage sale or on eBay to generate some extra cash to donate to Haiti earthquake relief efforts. Why let things lie around your home unused if they can be used by others and the proceeds can be donated to save lives?

Step 9
Consider a missions trip or volunteering during the rebuilding efforts if you are a person who is called, talented, or gifted in the needed areas to help restore and rebuild nations after natural disasters. Start planning for the trip now, so you will be ready when the opportunity opens up.

* Remember that some organizations spend a greater percentage of received donations on advertising and efforts to collect more donations, while other organizations spend little on advertising or overhead and will donate most, if not all, of the money to medical care and rebuilding the country for the Haitian people. Choose wisely.

* Store all your tax deductible contribution receipts in a folder or envelope for safe keeping.

* Legitimate organizations will send you a receipt for tax purposes.

Haiti Earthquake Disaster Relief, Joel Osteen Ministries