Monetary donations are best way to help, Washtenaw County American Red Cross chapter says
As news about massive damage and thousands of casualties caused by an earthquake in Port au Prince, Haiti on Tuesday, the Washtenaw County American Red Cross chapter says its been inundated with calls.
The main message: Monetary donations are the most effective way to assist the effort, said Julie Dean, spokeswoman for the local chapter. In-kind donations of clothing and supplies are not being accepted for this effort because there is no good way to get the donations there, she said.
"Our hearts and prayers go out to the people there and the families here that are worried for loved ones in Haiti," Dean said.
Those interested in donating money to the American Red Cross can do so online by donating to the American Red Cross International Response Fund at www.redcross.org.
Those with cell phones can also donate $10 to the American Red Cross by texting the word "HAITI" to the number 90999. The money will be charged to your cellphone bill, she said. They can also drop off or mail checks at the local chapter at 4624 Packard Road, Ann Arbor, MI 48108 and should indicate on the check it is meant for the American Red Cross International Relief Fund.
No local volunteers are being sent to Haiti. Groups interested in holding fundraisers for the situation in Haiti can make arrangements to donate to international efforts through the local chapter of the American Red Cross by calling Janet Filip, the chapter's director of financial development, 734-971-5300.
Tina Reed covers health and the environment for AnnArbor.com. You can reach her at tinareed@annarbor.com, call her at 734-623-2535 or find her on Twitter @TreedinAA.
Comments
Shantel
Tue, Mar 9, 2010 : 10:25 a.m.
I found the easiest way to make a monetary donation is to go into the local Red Cross on Packard. Also, this gives locals the chance to show the support of the our local chapter efforts. And honestly, if we cannot trust our local chapter, then who can we trust? We know they are doing the right thing with it based on all of the stories in the newspapers and on their website, where they tell us how much they have raised and where the money has gone.
walker101
Fri, Jan 15, 2010 : 7:47 a.m.
Be very wary of any unsolicited emails that ask for donations for quake victims. Do not click on donation links provided in these emails as they may lead to fake websites. Do not open attachments that arrive with these emails, as they may contain viruses. If you wish to donate money online, go directly to the charity's official website. The scams will be generated once they know individuals are sending money to help.
stevek
Thu, Jan 14, 2010 : 10:58 a.m.
By making a donation to the American Red Cross International Response Fund, 100% of the monies go directly to Haitian disaster relief. The American Red Cross is highly rated by Charity Navigator. The American Red Cross is neutral, non-governmental and non-religious organization.
sh1
Wed, Jan 13, 2010 : 7:50 p.m.
I recommend Direct Relief International (directrelief.org) to make donations. They are a secular organization rated very highly by Charity Navigator for working with low overhead.