Barely a week after the 7.0-magnitude earthquake hit Haiti, Americans have poured in support to the financial tune of over $200 million. What’s even more astounding is that the giving has occurred at a time when Americans are suffering through their own bout with financial turmoil.
America is Recovering but Hasn’t Recovered
After the financial crisis of 2008 left millions without jobs or homes in the United States, some are just now getting back on their feet. But there are still millions without work and many who still don’t have homes of their own to live in. The unemployment rate at last count was resting at 10 percent and the job front wasn’t looking up until the middle or end of 2010.
However, on Jan. 12, 2010, a devastating event occurred in Haiti and within seconds destroyed a country. Thousands were dead and millions homeless. After this occurred, it seems that Americans forgot their own struggles and saw others with the more devastating loss of family, food, water, medical attention and shelter. In that moment, many realized we still had much to be thankful for.
Giving is Priority #1
According to the Chronicle of Philanthropy, as of Monday, Americans have raised over $200 million in donations, showing that giving has been a major priority in the states. This estimate is based on a survey that looked at 25 charities contributing the largest amounts to the relief effort in Haiti.
Here is a breakdown of some of the dollar amounts raised by top organizations:
- American Red Cross – $103 million as of Sunday
- UNICEF – $18.2 million as of Monday afternoon
- Catholic Relief Services – $13.1 million as of Monday
- Oxfam America, World Vision U.S. and Save the Children USA – $7 million as of Monday
Many charities have noted that text and online contributions have resulted in an increase in giving because making them is fast and easy. However, many others have still given over the phone, include those who watched CNN’s Larry King Live donation special Monday night, where in just two hours, people gave nearly $5 million to UNICEF and the American Red Cross.
Companies and Celebrities Also Giving
According to the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, corporations have also pledged large amounts to help the relief effort, including General Electric, Amgen, Microsoft and Coca-Cola, which have each pledged $1 million or more. Additionally, celebrities have given personal dollars and auctioned off personal items (Larry King auctioned numerous pairs of his famous suspenders and Sean “P. Diddy” Combs auction his sunglasses on Monday night) to raise money.
Celebrities also plan to host fund-raising events, including the “Hope for Haiti” telethon that will air on MTV Friday with donations going to Oxfam America, Partners in Health, Red Cross, UNICEF and the Yele Haiti Foundation. Also, former presidents Bill Clinton and George Bush plan to work together to raise money.
How Can I Give?
If you want to contribute to this important cause, in addition to participating in fund-raising events, you can give on your own (see story: Helping Haiti). Also, if you don’t have the money right away and would rather give as you purchase other items, you could consider charging your contribution.
Sometimes we don’t know that our contributions make a difference, but they do (did you know that just one penny purchases a purification tablet that can clean 5 gallons of water?). So if you want to give, despite your own financial struggles, there’s no greater time than now to do so.