Safe Charities to Aid Haiti

With the terrible disasters wracking Haiti, many of us would like to know how to help. If you are like me, you might find trying to figure out which charity to give to rather confusing. How do you know which charities are legitimate? How do you know if the money will actually go to helping out victims?

Taking a look at some of the larger and older organizations, several stand out as forerunners in getting medical care and assistance to disaster victims, regardless of race, religion or political affiliation. Things to look for in a safe charity are phrases like "disaster recovery" and "100% of proceeds to those in need". Choosing a name with which you are familiar is generally a safe decision on how to aid those suffering.

The following charities are long standing and reputable charities with no religious affiliation or faith requirements needed to receive aid.

American Red Cross - Founded in 1881, the American Red Cross has become one of the largest disaster recovery and support organizations recognized around the world. They specialize in "neutral humanitarian care" around the world and especially in response to disaster recovery and aid.

* How you can help - By going to www.redcross.org or by texting the word Haiti to 909-99 ($10.00 will be charged to your cell phone account) you can donate through an organization that has a history of being the first disaster recovery charity on many disaster sites. Even donating blood through the Red Cross can help replenish the stores used to aid Haiti Victims.

Doctors Without Borders - Created by journalists and doctors in France, this charity now serves over 60 countries across the world providing medical care and treatment.

* How you can help - Go to http://www.doctorswithoutborders.org/index.cfm and make a donation there.

UNICEF - A long time champion for aid to children around the world suffering from treatable illnesses, they have also provided fresh drinking water, health care and safe living conditions for thousands of children around the world.

* How you can help - Go to the UNICEF website at http://www.unicefusa.org/ or directly to their Haiti donation page at: https://secure.unicefusa.org/site/Donation2?df_id=6680&6680.donation=form1

Google's Haiti Charities Page - Google, the world's most popular search engine has gathered several charities on one site to help out the disaster.

* How you can help - Go to their charity page here http://www.google.com/relief/haitiearthquake/ to donate to any number of various reputable charities.

Please give if you can of your time, your money and certainly donate blood if you can. There are local blood drives around most major cities in the US this and in the following weeks.

But above all, try to make an informed choice about the charities you donate to. If you are able to research their business history and practices before donating, please do.