Capitol Fax.com - Your Illinois News Radar

Question of the day

Posted in:

Illinois

* As Gov. Quinn rightly pointed out yesterday, we have a lot of Haitian-Americans in this state. So, instead of a Question of the Day today, I thought we could use this opportunity to contribute to the relief effort in earthquake-ravaged Haiti. From the US State Department website…

Other ways to help:

• text “HAITI” to “90999″ and a donation of $10 will be given automatically to the Red Cross to help with relief efforts, charged to your cell phone bill;

• go online to organizations like the Red Cross and Mercy Corps to make a contribution to the disaster relief efforts;

• visit InterAction to contribute.

After you’ve contributed, please make a note of it in comments so we can encourage others to do the same - or even more.

posted by Rich Miller
Thursday, Jan 14, 10 @ 11:10 am

Comments

Done, LCMS world care
http://www.lcms.org/pages/internal.asp?NavID=16397

Comment by OneMan Thursday, Jan 14, 10 @ 11:14 am
Sad news about Haiti.

I haven’t heard anything yet from Sen. Kwame Raoul. Has anyone else?

Comment by Will County Woman Thursday, Jan 14, 10 @ 11:15 am
Our church has been involved in Haiti for years and has a community center there. I understand that we are getting together to ensure that our Haitian friends are cared for.

Comment by VanillaMan Thursday, Jan 14, 10 @ 11:17 am
I gave last night to Partners in Health, a fantastic organization that’s been in Haiti for some time. Doctors Without Borders is always an extraordinary group in times like this (all year, as well).

Partners in Health

Another note: It’s been noted by a few sources that the best thing to give right now is money to get people water, food, and shelter. While any gift is with the best intentions, physical goods often complicate early recovery and go unused, wasted.

Comment by Served Thursday, Jan 14, 10 @ 11:18 am
Done. Here is another good organization with extensive experience responding to disasters all over the world. They were on the ground in Haiti during relief operations a few years and are currently on the ground in Haiti.

http://www.amurt.us/

Comment by Big Policy Nerd Thursday, Jan 14, 10 @ 11:19 am
Done. the $10 texting to 90999

Comment by anon Thursday, Jan 14, 10 @ 11:25 am
Done. Mercy Corps. Thanks Rich.

I sure hope this thread breaks 100 comments today. I’m putting the over/under at 134 given the genuine goodness of most of this blog’s readers.

Comment by 10th Indy Thursday, Jan 14, 10 @ 11:28 am
Heartland Alliance for Human Needs & Human Rights, through our international programs division, is working with American Jewish World Service to provide immediate protection services, short and long term psychosocial services, and health care in Haiti. Our staff will be on the ground this week. We have set up a relief fund that folks are welcome to contribute to, though all the other organizations suggested thus far are great to support as well:

Heartland Alliance International Programs, 208 S. LaSalle, Suite 1818, Chicago, IL 60604. Your check should be made payable to Heartland Alliance/Haiti.

Comment by Doug S. Thursday, Jan 14, 10 @ 11:31 am
Mercy Corps

Comment by vole Thursday, Jan 14, 10 @ 11:33 am
Rich,
You always do a great job with these situations. Thanks! Another great way to spread the word is put the above message as your Facebook or LinkedIn status.

Comment by Pre Thursday, Jan 14, 10 @ 11:34 am
I have contributed through the Red Cross (linked from White House website) and Partners in Health (linked from email from Congresswoman Schakowsky).

Comment by way northsider Thursday, Jan 14, 10 @ 11:39 am
Great idea Rich! Just sent $50 to the Red Cross International Response Fund.

Comment by Red Ranger Thursday, Jan 14, 10 @ 11:40 am
Senator Kwame Raoul (he has family in Haiti) has put out an appeal at www.RaoulReliefFund.org

Comment by Dan Johnson-Weinberger Thursday, Jan 14, 10 @ 11:40 am
Hopital Albert Schweitzer is just outside Port au Prince, is undamaged, is functioning, and is obviously overwhelmed with truckloads of traumatically injured people coming in from the City. I just donated to them. http://www.hashaiti.org/

Comment by Ray del Camino Thursday, Jan 14, 10 @ 11:40 am
Done. Text 5x, in the hopes of picking up the slack for others not fortunate enough to be able to give this year.

I heard about the option on the Mully & Hanley show on 670 AM WSCR this morning; who the Arbitron PPM now tells us is # 1 in the Male 25-54 demo in their daypart.

It has to make you wonder why they clung to that archaic voluntary diary methodology for so long. I’d be interested to know what other seismic shifts there have been in ratings since they went to the PPM.

Rich, have you seen any data on this? Anything that jumps out, or anything mildly surprising?

It would seem like local radio personalities with bonus clause contracts tied to arbitron might be pretty PO’ed that this took so long.

Comment by Quinn T. Sential Thursday, Jan 14, 10 @ 11:40 am
Done. I texted Haiti to 90999. What a great way to contribute!

Comment by Old Shepherd Thursday, Jan 14, 10 @ 11:46 am
The Miami Herald also lists a number of relief organizations:

http://www.miamiherald.com/news/americas/haiti/story/1421696.html

Comment by JonShibleyFan Thursday, Jan 14, 10 @ 11:49 am
Done. Great use of this space, Rich.

Comment by Montrose Thursday, Jan 14, 10 @ 11:50 am
Thanks for the nudge. Done. Red Cross International Response Fund $50, and $10 through 90999 texting because that’s just so easy!

Comment by KeepSmiling Thursday, Jan 14, 10 @ 11:57 am
Submitted my text - plan to send additional donations tonight.

Also plan to donate to the International Foundation for Animal Welfare (IFAW) who will begin making trips to Haiti early next week to assist in rescue and recovery efforts for displaced animals. We often forget about the animals impacted during these tragedies. IFAW is a first responder during disasters, assisting with recovery and helping to provide veterinary care to animals in need.

Comment by Sara Thursday, Jan 14, 10 @ 12:00 pm
Oxfam America.

Comment by Anon Thursday, Jan 14, 10 @ 12:03 pm
Done. Thanks for the information.

Comment by Nuance Thursday, Jan 14, 10 @ 12:05 pm
Done and plus Doctors Without Borders/MSF-USA.
http://doctorswithoutborders.org/donate/

If the Seven Samurai were an NGO they would be MSF.

– MrJM
http://twitter.com/misterjayem

Comment by MrJM Thursday, Jan 14, 10 @ 12:18 pm
Rich,

Just sent the text. Thanks for the information.

Keep up the excellent work.

Comment by Rich's Kids Thursday, Jan 14, 10 @ 12:25 pm
Sent $ to Save the Children

Comment by Just the basics Thursday, Jan 14, 10 @ 12:31 pm
Done.

Comment by Anonymous Thursday, Jan 14, 10 @ 12:32 pm
The band I am in just had its’ first paying gig last nite. My cut went to Red Cross. Great idea, Rich.

Comment by dupage dan Thursday, Jan 14, 10 @ 12:52 pm
used the text method. Thank you, Rich, for this posting.

Comment by Anon Thursday, Jan 14, 10 @ 1:01 pm
Donated online to Red Cross via an appeal e-mail they sent to me. Hope they have strength in # of donors = $$ to get the supplies they need.

Comment by Baltimoron Thursday, Jan 14, 10 @ 1:05 pm
Done. $100

Comment by Pete Giangreco Thursday, Jan 14, 10 @ 1:11 pm
Thanks, Rich. Great idea. Done.

Comment by Paul's My Guy Thursday, Jan 14, 10 @ 1:12 pm
About 80% of the people in Haiti are Catholic, so Catholic Relief Services has a strong presence in the country already. I sent a check this morning.

Info here: http://crs-blog.org/crs-commits-5-million-to-haiti’s-quake-survivor-relief/

Comment by Anita Thursday, Jan 14, 10 @ 1:13 pm
Thanks Rich. I’ve seen a bunch of solicitations, and seeing your page pushed me over the edge to do it RIGHT NOW instead of thinking I’ll do it “soon.”

Comment by Anon62 Thursday, Jan 14, 10 @ 1:16 pm
Red Cross International Response Fund

Comment by Ivory-billed Woodpecker Thursday, Jan 14, 10 @ 1:22 pm
Our organization just donated $100 to help with relief.

Comment by Model Illinois Government Thursday, Jan 14, 10 @ 1:36 pm
Done. $20 donation.

Comment by ZC Thursday, Jan 14, 10 @ 1:38 pm
text to 90999 - done

doctors without borders is also good.

bill clinton on npr last night was really clear about what’s going on and the phases of relief. food, shelter, water — essential needs - so money now and resources second: http://www.npr.org/blogs/thetwo-way/2010/01/bill_clinton_on_haiti_we_need.html

you can also give to the clinton foundation: www.clintonfoundation.org/haitirelief/

Comment by just a name Thursday, Jan 14, 10 @ 1:45 pm
$100 to the red cross

Comment by publius Thursday, Jan 14, 10 @ 1:47 pm
done $30 to Red Cross

Comment by lurker Thursday, Jan 14, 10 @ 1:53 pm
Done $25 to Red Cross - International Relief Fund

Comment by Pot calling kettle Thursday, Jan 14, 10 @ 2:21 pm
Conern World Wide. Made my donation last night.
www.concern.net/

Comment by Just wondering Thursday, Jan 14, 10 @ 2:28 pm
Donated $50 to the American Red Cross yesterday. Please, everyone…donate!! Help can’t get there fast enough.

Comment by ChiGirl Thursday, Jan 14, 10 @ 2:37 pm
Another place to donate is AGAPE flight They already have made at least on flight.http://www.agapeflights.com/ They have multiple aircraft and will be ferrying people and supplies as needed.

Comment by Plutocrat03 Thursday, Jan 14, 10 @ 2:44 pm
My employer is matching contributions to the Save the Children foundation’s Haiti fund. So I am donating $100 and employer is kicking in a like amount.

http://www.savethechildren.org/countries/latin-america-caribbean/haiti.html

Comment by Six Degrees of Separation Thursday, Jan 14, 10 @ 2:49 pm
Rich:
As you know, I work at Verizon Wireless and we have been up and running on the short code for just over a day and a half. As of 12 noon EST today – 36 hours since the program has been live on short code 90999…

· Consumers in the U.S. across all wireless companies have contributed more than $4 million to the Red Cross relief for Haiti campaign.

· Verizon Wireless customers alone have already contributed more than $1 million.

· More than 100,000 Verizon Wireless subscribers have already participated in the Red Cross relief effort.

Keep those contributions coming and tell your friends and family.

Comment by Mike McDermott Thursday, Jan 14, 10 @ 2:51 pm
Texted in a few minutes ago, thanks for posting the info.

Comment by Small Town Liberal Thursday, Jan 14, 10 @ 2:55 pm
done via text, thanks Rich

Comment by really? Thursday, Jan 14, 10 @ 3:11 pm
When I was a kid we were burned out of our home through an act of arson in our subdivision. Before the fire was put out there was a Red Cross truck there with the basic essentials and making arrangements for us to go to a hotel.

Those guys know what they are doing and are always at the top of my donor list. My contribution is sent.

Comment by Louis G. Atsaves Thursday, Jan 14, 10 @ 3:14 pm
$50 to American Red Cross. Having been around the block a few times, I’d suggest the Salvation Army, too. Those two are the first to show up, last to leave.

With all the p-and-m you see and read every day, how about a little thanksgiving for how lucky we are? Like I tell my kids, we all live better than 99% of the people who ever walked the planet.

Comment by wordslinger Thursday, Jan 14, 10 @ 3:18 pm
1st time posting on this site…texted 90999. I can’t help wondering how many more $$ would be sent if those of us in IL and the country as a whole had confidence in our elected officials to do the right thing for our state and country.

Comment by TonyK Thursday, Jan 14, 10 @ 3:26 pm
done. text

Comment by nick Thursday, Jan 14, 10 @ 3:27 pm
I gave $50 thru care.org, they’ve had folks on the ground there before the hurricane. High Five to Rich for doing this. Peace

Comment by southside sox love Thursday, Jan 14, 10 @ 3:30 pm
$50 to Red Cross…thanks for the push.

Comment by casual observer Thursday, Jan 14, 10 @ 3:30 pm
Done. Easy. Thanks Rich

Comment by ANON Thursday, Jan 14, 10 @ 3:31 pm
–I can’t help wondering how many more $$ would be sent if those of us in IL and the country as a whole had confidence in our elected officials to do the right thing for our state and country.–

Brother, you cannot overestimate the generosity, compassion and decency of the American people in situations like these.

A few years ago, after an earthquake in Iran, the only folks who showed up to help were the Americans. How about that?

Remember the Tsunami a few years back? The U.S. Navy was the only institution on the planet who could deliver the goods.

You can look them all up.

Comment by wordslinger Thursday, Jan 14, 10 @ 3:35 pm
Done - texted “Haiti” to 90999.

Comment by MM Thursday, Jan 14, 10 @ 3:38 pm
Gave last night to American Jewish World Service http://ajws.org/

Comment by Rod sez I'm pork Thursday, Jan 14, 10 @ 3:41 pm
Kwame Raoul, who has family in Haiti, was on WGN TV at noon and made some very insightful points.

The strongest one, to me, is that a lot of this tragedy was due to just general poverty. The building standards in Haiti are nothing. The quake came, the buildings fell down. On the other side of Hispaniola, in the Dominican Republic, the damage was no where close to that bad.

Rauol recounted how on a visit a couple of years ago, without any natural disasters, he witnessed how major buildings in Haiti had collapsed simply because they were so poorly built.

The median income in Haiti is under $600 a year.

We’ve been the Last Word in Haiti for some time, so we have to take some responsibility for its future. Here’s an opportunity for the United States to do the right thing and get on good paper in the rest of the world. As they recover, let’s help these neighbors get it right.

Comment by wordslinger Thursday, Jan 14, 10 @ 3:50 pm
Done. $100 to AJWS Haiti Relief Fund. Tried the Red Cross first but they said donations might not process for 12 hours. Didn’t want to risk transaction problems.

Comment by Chicago Cynic Thursday, Jan 14, 10 @ 3:52 pm
$150 to the Red Cross. Thanks for all the good ideas here today - will give to some other organizations as well.

Comment by Right thing to do Thursday, Jan 14, 10 @ 4:35 pm
Just did the 90999 to the Red Cross. Keep it coming folks.

Comment by Give Me A Break Thursday, Jan 14, 10 @ 4:49 pm
Just texted my $10 donation.

Comment by Tim Thursday, Jan 14, 10 @ 5:11 pm
Done Rich - thanks for the prompt.

Comment by BN Thursday, Jan 14, 10 @ 5:12 pm
OXFAM America got my $50.00. You should have made it a contest, you know how we love to compete!

Comment by Dead Head Thursday, Jan 14, 10 @ 5:22 pm
I’m in as of this morning. All $$ collected through 1/31 by the AHEPA (American Hellenic Educational Progressive Association) relef fund is earmarked for Haiti.

Comment by corvax Thursday, Jan 14, 10 @ 5:37 pm
Done…..Samaritan’s Purse…..for Haiti Relief. Billy Graham Evangelical Organization. They have been very active there, are pouring in additional aid, and will be there long after the cameras leave. Much like the Salvation Army.

Comment by Justice Thursday, Jan 14, 10 @ 5:51 pm
Done - thanks for highlighting this. Another good group active and already on the ground is Partners in Health- www.partnersinhealth.org

Comment by Elizabeth Thursday, Jan 14, 10 @ 6:32 pm
Donation to Hospital Sisters Mission Outreach. A fine Springfield organization. www.mission-outreach.org

Comment by Crafty Girl Thursday, Jan 14, 10 @ 6:40 pm
Done! (You’re such a great guy to post this, Rich!)

Comment by The REAL Anonymous fka Anonymous Thursday, Jan 14, 10 @ 6:42 pm
Donated through Catholic Relief Service http://crs.org/ who is already on the spot in Port au Prince. Gates Foundation just announced $1M.

Comment by Nearly Normal Thursday, Jan 14, 10 @ 7:01 pm
text sent.

Comment by State Worker W/ an MBA Thursday, Jan 14, 10 @ 8:04 pm
Catholic Relief Services got mine but Red Cross is great too and later on the Heifer Foundation will help

Comment by Anon Thursday, Jan 14, 10 @ 8:13 pm
Done. Thanx Rich, it was so EZ. When Senator Kwame Raoul gets something going I’ll join in on that too!

Comment by Geneseo Gent Thursday, Jan 14, 10 @ 9:39 pm
great idea and done

Comment by bill ryan Thursday, Jan 14, 10 @ 10:06 pm
Done. And when I get back home, I’ll probably chip in to the United Methodist Committee on Relief too.

Comment by Just Sayin' Thursday, Jan 14, 10 @ 10:58 pm
Done! Let’s do what we can!

Comment by Vote Quimby! Friday, Jan 15, 10 @ 1:20 am
Yesterday pm keep it up!

Comment by Anon3 Friday, Jan 15, 10 @ 7:04 am
done — texted “haiti” to 90999

Comment by riverside Friday, Jan 15, 10 @ 8:20 am