To Raise Money for Haiti, Trust the Red Cross
Red Cross Contributes Both Dollars and Volunteer Effort in Haiti
In my career in newspaper reporting in Saginaw, Mich., Red Cross volunteers are among the most outstanding and amazing people I've encountered. They will depart at the drop of a hat to spend several weeks at a far-flung disaster site, laboring in brutal conditions. Haiti will be no exceptions. The Red Cross is not recruiting new volunteers to head for Haiti because advance training is required, especially for work in conditions that are so grim. However, experienced Red Cross volunteers already are on the scene. One unique way to contribute, in fact, would be to contact your local Red Cross and organize a community salute for volunteers who have been to Haiti, upon their return home.
When Red Cross volunteers return to their home communities, they almost invariably are modest and understated. They prefer to speak about what they experienced, both the hardships and the local heroism, rather than to speak about themselves.
These selfless qualities truly hit home nearly a decade ago, in my interviews with the seven Red Cross volunteers from Saginaw who served at the Ground Zero site following 9/11. A chaplain described blessing body parts, because only an arm or a leg had been found. Another noticed that even search dogs seemed grief stricken, because they couldn't find bodies. Each of the seven was such a good, compassionate individual.
The Red Cross took a big hit of criticism regarding 9/11 fund distribution, generated in great part by the clowns at Fox News, namely Bill O'Reilly. These assaults were totally misguided, and hopefully an aftertaste will not linger regarding Red Cross aid to Haiti.
A final point to consider is that Red Cross volunteer work is not strictly national or international in nature. Red Cross volunteers also are the first responders in our hometowns to families who are left homeless because of house fires. So, when contributing cash to relief in Haiti, also consider dropping a few dollars into your local chapter's coffers.
SOURCES
Personal experience
Published by Michael Thompson
Michael Thompson is a retired newspaper reporter who lives in Saginaw, Michigan. Main topics are political and social justice issues, with occasional escapism into sports and so forth. View profile
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5 Comments
Post a CommentThe Red Cross is a very trustworthy organization. I always feel safe giving money to them!
Thanks for the article, Mike. Great piece. The Red Cross is unique in that it is a 90% volunteer based organization. They are always looking for volunteers, and not just for disaster relief. The Red Cross runs blood banks, CPR training, Community programs, and even help survivors of the Holocaust find their loved ones. People should contact their local chapter to find out how to get involved.
Loved the last suggestion (in addition to, of course).
I trust the Red Cross and if they get too many donations they apply them to the next troubled spot :)
Excellent! Thanks so much for sharing your personal experiences with an outstanding organization that has helped save countless lives. The people in Haiti need all the help they can get.