Do what you can for Haiti...

I don't watch TV. Someone asked me at our home school group how I know what's going on in the world. Either my husband (he watches news at work and reads the newspaper online) or other sources online. So I haven't seen the pictures or the news stories. I found out about the tragedy in Haiti on Facebook. One of my friends, who's also in my class at church, was in Haiti on a Mission Trip the week of Thanksgiving, so it holds a special place in her heart. I'm also friends with Compassion International, who we have supported for 11 years. (Fan Compassion on Facebook.) I also read blogs, and when a crisis happens, bloggers spring into action.

Money Saving Mom is one of my favorite blogs. She and her husband have graciously offered to donate $10 to Compassion International for every blogger who blogs what they're doing to help the relief efforts and links to her website. Last time I checked, she's up to donating $3280! And that was before I linked up! She's got it open through January 21. I'd say she's been a good steward of her resources to be able to leave an open-ended donation going like that. Her blog is well worth your time.

You can also make a donation directly to Compassion International's Disaster Relief Fund. Compassion was already in Haiti. Casualties could have included some of their staff, volunteers, and definitely the children and families they were already ministering to every day. Compassion has been keeping us up-to-date on their ministries on their blog and on Facebook.

The cloth diapering world is also getting involved. Kelly's Closet is doing a raffle fundraiser, with 100% of the proceeds going to the American Red Cross International Response Fund. For a $10 donation, you are entered into a drawing for an awesome diaper bundle or gift certificate! The last update they posted on facebook, was that the fundraiser had already brought in $2580 for donation. You can also donate online directly to the American Red Cross. And the easiest way to donate that I've seen - by text. I don't have texting, but you can donate $10 by texting "HAITI" to 90999.

My friend from church also tells us that our church will be sending disaster relief through the organization, New Missions, who is already positioned in Haiti. Our church has gone with New Missions to Haiti for a few years now. The photo above is from this year's trip. That's Jessica in the foreground. You can read more about the work in Haiti on their website, where I learned that Haiti is the poorest nation in the Western Hemisphere. Contributions can be made directly to New Missions on their donations page.

So what am I doing to help? In addition to our contribution to Compassion International, I'm spreading the word. You can also help other bloggers give, too! At the bottom of Money Saving Mom's post, you will also find a list of other bloggers who have committed to donate to Haiti in some form based on comments they receive. Your clicks & comments will help the donations grow without even coming out of your own pocket!!!

So get out there! Get involved! Make a donation! Comment on a blog! Make a difference!