Like the many of us not living under rocks, I've been closely following the Haitian Earthquake online and in the news. Now more than ever, it has really struck me how beneficial it is to have such a global community- that we can be close, and help one another, even if we were physically far apart. Today, ideas, messages, and this week especially- money- can be transferred with a click or text. How wonderful it is that now those of us with money to spare can do something immediately to help others suffering from such a devastating natural disaster.
The Red Cross effort- Text HAITI to 90999- has been all over the internet and TV, from Tegan and Sara's Twitter to an uncommonly serious ending to Saturday Night Live's Weekend Update. With that simple message, $10 can be sent to Red Cross.
Consumer Affairs reports that:
"So far, the American Red Cross has received $37 million in donations, breaking records for pledges to the Red Cross made within the same time period after a disaster. More than half of the donations have been through online contributions on the Red Cross and other Web sites, with strong support from corporations and record-setting activity in mobile giving."
We've come a long way from even the 2004 Tsunami, which seemed to raise money mostly through Telethons. Now, social networking tools, blogs, forums, and news sources are harnessing the power of the Internet to enable others to save lives, or at least, begin to repair them. And, that's something to feel good about.
~ Kathryn
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