How to Help Haiti Victims from Chicago

As per Haiti's government estimates the Jan. 12 quake killed 200,000 people, as reported by the European Commission. It said 250,000 people were injured and 2 million homeless in the nation of 9 million. Such is the massive extent of damage that Red Cross calls this the greatest deployment of emergency responders in its 91 year history. There are an estimated 15,000 to 20,000 Hatian-Americans in the Chicago area.

Like all others around the world who are trying to help Haiti victims, Chicago is doing its part too. Local organizations are doing is trying to combine efforts rather than act individually.

Following are the different ways Chicago is helping and the best ways you can help too:

Red Cross: You can donate via your cell phone by sending a text message "HAITI" to "90999" A donation of $10 will be given automatically to the Red Cross to help with relief efforts, charged to your mobile phone bill.

Chicago Helps Haiti: The Chicago broadcasting community joined the American Red Cross of Greater Chicago and Hewitt Associates in a united effort to help those facing the devastating aftermath of the Haitian earthquake. This relief drive was help on Thursday Jan 21^st. Various television and radio stations were encouraging people to donate to this cause. As of 11 pm Thursday they have raised more than $ 2.9 million. You can still donate by clicking here or call 1-800-RED- CROSS.

Local Non-Profit Group: Little by Little an independent organization but by Our Lady of Perpetual Help Catholic Church in Glenview was on a medical mission with twenty three volunteers. They did a remarkable job with limited supplies. Click here to read their entire effort.

Chicago Diners: Diners at some Chicago restaurants will have a chance to help earthquake victims. Customers will be asked to add a dollar to their checks, for the relief effort in Haiti. The money will be forwarded to the Heartland Alliance. The restaurants include such well-known Chicago eateries as Blackbird, Goose Island, Atwood Cafe, Avec, Boka, The Bristol, Chaise Lounge and Piece. Some more restaurants are planning their own drive for benefit Haiti. Visit the link to know more about it.

The fundraising effort continues through the week.

Chicago Benefit Concert : Every Drop Countsis theChicago Benefit Concert for Haiti Relief on January 31, 2010. Chicago's hip hop community is coming together to throw a benefit concert of epic proportions to raise funds for relief in Haiti. Every Drop Counts will feature performances from Fred Hampton Jr., Dead Prez's M1, The Cool Kids and Hollywood Holt, among many others. Don't miss Every Drop Counts is January 31st, 2010 at Reggie's Rock Club (2109 S. State St.). 17+, $15.00 advance, $20.00 at the door, with all proceeds going to World Water Relief.

Medical Workers and other Hands-on Volunteering for Haiti Earthquake relief:

For medical workers, the International Medical Corps is still open."We are taking applications for volunteer doctors and nurses, but we have a particular need for nurses," says Crystal Wells, the group's communications officer in Chicago. Applicants can fill out their information on the "Work with Us" tab of their website. Both medical and non-medical workers can register their offer of services with the CIDI on their website: http://www.cidi.org/default.htm. Aid agencies browse the listings and call on those whose services match their needs.

Associated Content: Internet websites like Associated Content are doing their part by donating $5 for each article published for Haiti Relief effort within 22^nd January, 2010. Look for more opportunities on internet where publishing might help in this noble cause.

Don't get Scammed: With a natural disaster of this unimaginable huge scale and the media coverage of the same, more and more people are coming forward to help. Still there are many who will take advantage of the situation and do fraud. Steve J. Bernas, president & CEO of the Better Business Bureau serving Chicago and Northern Illinois says "Not only do Americans need to be concerned about avoiding fraud, they also need to make sure their money goes to competent relief organizations that are equipped and experienced to handle the unique challenges of providing assistance."

Check out the organization at sites for the Better Business Bureau ; the Foundation Center a New York-based authority on philanthropy; or Charity Navigator an independent nonprofit organization that evaluates charity groups based on effectiveness and financial stability.

"Cash is truly the most economical and efficient way of making a contribution." As far as donating used clothes and canned food etc. are concerned most of the organizations are recommending not to go this route at this point in time as this is not the quickest way to help due to the struggling logistical problems. However, there are still opportunities to be hands-on with Haiti earthquake relief - which, they note, will continue long after the shock the quake triggered this week. It is a good idea to visit web pages of local news channels like Fox, abc news for the latest in the relief effort and various opportunities available.

Let us do our part in making their ordeal a little easier.

Useful Information-

1. The State Department Operations Center has set up the following number for Americans seeking information about family members in Haiti: 1-888-407-4747

2. Red Cross: http://american.redcross.org/chicago , 1-800-RED-CROSS

3. Better Business Bureau: http://bbb.org

4. www.unicefusa.org Donate Today and Support UNICEF's Efforts to Help Victims in Haiti.

5. http://www.WorldVision.org/Haiti Donate $25 to Help Children and Families Hurt by the 7.0 Earthquake