How can Ashevilleans help Haiti after its devastating earthquake?

Posted on by Jeff Fobes

Good morning,
My name is Todd Kaderabek and I am the Chairperson of Mission Manna, Inc.  Mission Manna is a faith-based organization located in Western North Carolina that provides medical care for malnourished children and continuing health care education for adults in and around the Haitian town of Montrouis.

As many of you are aware, Haiti was hit with a devastating earthquake yesterday and is now in need of humanitarian assistance to a degree above and beyond what we have ever known. I have fielded many questions overnight about how to best assist locally and if a donation to Mission MANNA is an appropriate way to assist in this disaster. The best answer is, no.

We are a long-term aid organization and have appreciated the love and support provided by many in western North Carolina for 10 years now—and we hope that support will continue into the future. That said, now is the time to donate to disaster relief for Haiti and we would suggest the following:

• I have contacted and have confirmed that the most local of these organizations, Samaritan’s Purse, is en route to Haiti. I hope that they will respond in Haiti but again, I do not have confirmation. I would encourage you to contact them directly. [ed note: link to Samaritan’s Purse news release: http://www.mountainx.com/news/2010/how_can_ashevilleans_help_haiti_after_its_devastating_earthquake ]

• Non-locally, we would suggest supporting UNICEF, Hands on Disaster Response, the International Red Cross and/or AmeriCares.

• There are countless other relief organizations working in Haiti so if you have a favorite, please consider a contribution.

The bottom line is this: Haiti needs your help. Please, consider Haiti.

Todd J. Kaderabek

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About Jeff Fobes
As a long-time proponent of media for social change, my early activities included coordinating the creation of a small community FM radio station to serve a poor section of St. Louis, Mo. In the 1980s I served as the editor of the "futurist" newsletter of the U.S. Association for the Club of Rome, a professional/academic group with a global focus and a mandate to act locally. During that time, I was impressed by a journalism experiment in Mississippi, in which a newspaper reporter spent a year in a small town covering how global activities impacted local events (e.g., literacy programs in Asia drove up the price of pulpwood; soybean demand in China impacted local soybean prices). Taking a cue from the Mississippi journalism experiment, I offered to help the local Green Party in western North Carolina start its own newspaper, which published under the name Green Line. Eventually the local party turned Green Line over to me, giving Asheville-area readers an independent, locally focused news source that was driven by global concerns. Over the years the monthly grew, until it morphed into the weekly Mountain Xpress in 1994. I've been its publisher since the beginning. Mountain Xpress' mission is to promote grassroots democracy (of any political persuasion) by serving the area's most active, thoughtful readers. Consider Xpress as an experiment to see if such a media operation can promote a healthy, democratic and wise community. In addition to print, today's rapidly evolving Web technosphere offers a grand opportunity to see how an interactive global information network impacts a local community when the network includes a locally focused media outlet whose aim is promote thoughtful citizen activism. Follow me @fobes
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38 thoughts on “How can Ashevilleans help Haiti after its devastating earthquake?”

  9. TJKTJK

    Great list and one is actually local (Samaritan’s Purse in Boone).

    I’ve also inquired with Hopital Albert Schweitzer if it would be useful if we sent our medical staff.

  10. TJKTJK

    Text “HAITI”to “90999” and a donation of $10 will be given to the RedCross to help with relief efforts.

  12. Jon Elliston

    Here’s a release from the WNC region Red Cross on its efforts:

    From a release this morning by the Red Cross, WNC region:

    The national organization of the American Red Cross is pledging an initial $200,000 to assist communities impacted by the devastating earthquake in Haiti, and is prepared to take further action as local responders assess the situation, according to Patrick Fitzsimmons, regional executive of the Red Cross in Western North Carolina.
    Fitzsimmons says it’s too early to give an accurate assessment of how extensive the relief effort in Haiti will be, but that the Red Cross is prepared to respond.
    Following is what is known at this time:
    • Initial reports indicate widespread damage in Port au Prince, with aftershocks continuing. As with most earthquakes, we expect to see immediate needs for food, water, temporary shelter, medical services and emotional support.
    • In the next few days, the American Red Cross expects to release relief supplies from one of its warehouses in Panama for approximately 5,000 families and deploy a disaster management specialist to Haiti.
    • To date we have not received any request for blood products from the government of Haiti. We will respond to any request that we receive for blood products based on availability.
    • The American Red Cross has an extensive partnership with the Haitian Red Cross, and employs several staff members in Haiti who provide ongoing HIV/AIDS prevention and disaster preparedness education. The Haitian Red Cross was founded in 1931 and specializes in emergency response, community health services, blood transfusions, ambulance services and first aid training.
    Fitzsimmons said that locally the Asheville-Mountain Area Chapter of the Red Cross is attempting to reach out to local members of the Haitian community to see if there is any way to assist them at this time. The Red Cross will be setting up an on-line system to check on the well-being of family and friends living in Haiti.

    The American Red Cross is accepting monetary donations to support earthquake relief efforts in Haiti. Potential donors wishing to support this disaster may designate their gift to AP 2885 Haiti Relief and Development.
    Although the Red Cross will accept gifts restricted to the Haiti earthquake, please promote the American Red Cross International Response Fund (IRF) as the preferred giving option, using the following language:
    You can help the victims of countless crises around the world each year by making a financial gift to the American Red Cross International Response Fund, which will provide immediate relief and long-term support through supplies, technical assistance and other support to help those in need. To make a donation, please go to http://www.redcrosswnc.org or call 828-258-3888, Ext. 226 and designate your donation to the International Relief Fund or Haiti Relief.

  13. Jeff Fobes

    via Twitter: RT @Subtleyoga: AMURT team at Greenlife all day collecting funds for Haiti – more than 3 million people need help.

  14. annica2

    a lady from ecoloe blue just said on a radio show they would offer their gigantic atmospheric water generator that is not in use if someone had a way to get it to haiti.

    1800 691 6043

    ask for tracy! that would be a huge help if anyone in asheville had any way of doing that.

  16. Jeff Fobes

    Via Twitter, and retweeted by Mission Manna: RT @alanna_shaikh: An experienced aid worker tells you where to give to help Haiti http://tinyurl.com/yd8mu93 Bingo.

    and at 2:30pm: RT @SamaritansPurse http://www.bit.ly/5m4bCh. DC-3 plane full of #earthquake relief & personnel is in the air! Scheduled to land in #Haiti at 5:15.

  17. TJKTJK

    Annica,

    I’d suggest contacting Samaritan’s Purse. They fly DC3 aircraft to Haiti and I’m sure you use/take it.

    Thanks,

    TJK

  19. mommaT52

    I would very much like to know that my fellow Ashevillians are helping Haiti. I have relatives there and have not heard yet if they are alive. I ask you all, if you can spare a dollar, every bit would help. I am in contact with my cousin in New Jersey whose trying to contact our family in Haiti. Thank you for your support.

  20. Piffy!

    I guess an earthquake’s devastation will move people more than hundreds of years of fallout from colonialism and slavery.

    i know, how about ‘root causes’?

  21. TJKTJK

    Make a difference this morning. Instead of buying a coffee, brew your own and text “HAITI” to 90999 ($10 to Red Cross) while you wait. Do it.

  22. TJKTJK

    MommaT52,

    If you give me names and neighborhoods (addresses) I can reach out on Twitter.

    TJK

  24. Jon Elliston

    Here’s a new release from our local branch of the Red Cross about what people can do from here:

    News Release
    FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

    CONTACT: Phaedra Call, Communications Specialist – 828-258-3888 ext. 203 or callph@usa.redcross.org
    RED CROSS URGES CITIZENS OF WESTERN NORTH CAROLINA TO DONATE FUNDS FOR RELIEF EFFORTS IN HAITI
    In response to the recent catastrophe in Haiti and in light of the updated reports of devastation and loss of life, The American Red Cross has upped its initial $200,000 of assistance to a donation of 1 million dollars.
    According to estimates, as many as three million people may have been affected by the quake, which collapsed government buildings and caused major damage to hospitals in the area and has left people without food, water, medical services and shelter.
    “Here at the Asheville-Mountain Area Chapter of the Red Cross we have been amazed and humbled by the outpouring of response from the Western North Carolina community,” says Patrick Fitzsimmons, Regional Executive Director. Our phone lines have been flooded with Western North Carolinians offering their skills and assistance to the millions affected by the earthquake in Haiti. What can I do? How can I help? They all want to know.
    “We all want to lend a hand and offer our support. And right now, the most effective and realistic way for us to do that is simply to donate whatever monetary funds we can,” Fitzsimmons added. “Haiti is the poorest nation in the Western Hemisphere and it sits directly below the United States, the wealthiest nation in the Western Hemisphere. At this time, financial support is the most powerful tool for reaching out to Haitian citizens. In this we way, we can provide clean water, food and medical service; we can aid in the rescue and rebuilding process and we can provide temporary shelter for displaced victims,” he urged.
    You can make a donation in the following ways:
    • Visit http://www.redcrosswnc.org or call 828-258-3888, Ext. 226 and designate your donation to the International Relief Fund or Haiti Relief.
    • Call 1-800-REDCROSS (1-800-733-2767).
    • Text “Haiti” to 90999 to send a $10 donation to the Red Cross, through an effort backed by the U.S. State Department. Funds will go to support American Red Cross relief efforts in Haiti.

  25. J. Patrick Robbinson

    The only thing Haiti needs is our prayers–only God can heal their country. Extend your love and share your heart to the good people in your thoughts.

  26. Jon Elliston

    Harris Teeter sent a news release today about one way it will help raise funds for relief in Haiti:

    Harris Teeter gives the community an easy way to lend a hand to the victims of the Earthquake in Haiti
    The company will also be donating $25,000 to the American Red Cross Relief Fund

    Charlotte, NC – Harris Teeter stores are proud to join the countless volunteers and staff that help the American Red Cross provide relief in the midst of a crisis. Starting on Friday, January 15, 2010 through the 31st of January, all Harris Teeter stores will be selling $1 and $5 Haiti Earthquake Relief Cards to give customers an opportunity to lend a hand to those struggling in the aftermath of the January 12th earthquake in Haiti.

    Harris Teeter will also be making a $25,000 donation to the effort and all money raised by donation card sales will go directly to the American Red Cross International Response Fund. The fund will support the affected national societies by providing relief supplies, emergency response units, personnel and support for long-term reconstruction.

    “When disaster strikes our customers and associates want to lend their support and make a difference,” said Fred Morganthall, President of Harris Teeter. “The Haiti Earthquake Relief Fund will be an easy way for customers to make a donation the next time they are in our stores,” added Morganthall.

    How can customers donate? Haiti Earthquake Relief Cards will be placed at every cash register; when customers check-out, they can simply pick-up either the $1 or $5 card and tell their cashier they would like to make a donation. The card will be scanned and added to the grocery total. Customers can buy as many cards as they would like.

    “For an international response, a monetary gift is the best way to help those in need. You can help the victims of countless crises around the world each year by making a financial gift to the American Red Cross International Response Fund, which will provide immediate relief and long-term support through supplies, technical assistance and other support to help those in need. The American Red Cross honors donor intent,” said Kate Meier, American Red Cross, Greater Carolinas Chapter

    Harris Teeter is committed to the communities where its customers and associates live and work. The company will continue to give customers the opportunity to donate to organizations that make a difference in the lives of their friends, colleagues and communities around the world.

    Harris Teeter appreciates the support of its media partners in all of its marketing areas including WBTV in Charlotte, WECT in Wilmington, WTVD in Raleigh, WGHP in Greensboro and WCSC in Charleston.

    http://www.harristeeter.com

  27. bobaloo

    The only thing Haiti needs is our prayers

    Call me crazy but I think they may need some medicine and water as well.

  29. rosettas kitchen

    Rosetta’s Kitchen will be donating all money from our Cauldron Soup Sunday Nights on January 17 & 24, along with dry food to earthquake relief in Haiti via Herbs for Orphans, which provides whole food and herbal supplements to an orphanage for HIV positive children in Haiti. Herbs for Orphans will also be setting up an emergency clinic to serve earthquake victims.
    Cauldron Soup night happens every Sunday from 6-9pm. It features a yummy soup & homemade cornbread by donation, music and community.
    Please join us.

    Rosetta’s Kitchen
    111 Broadway
    Downtown Asheville
    828-323-0738
    http://www.rosettaskitchen.com
    http://www.herbs4orphans.org

  31. Piffy!

    [b]The Salvation Army has always been a stalwart resource in these times and their ministry and response in Haiti has been astonishing beginning in 1950.[/b]

    Yes. They have done such a good job making Haiti a safe, comfortable place. What those heathens need is the Gospel!

  34. Piffy!

    i certainly wont give it to a bunch of prosthelytizing scam artists who use disasters like this as an opportunity to make money for upper management.

  36. travelah

    The Salvation Army has a long and wonderful history of helping anybody in need regardless of their circumstances. The idea of calling these compassionate workers scam artists is absurd beyond reason. Anybody who has worked with these people know the great work they do in very trying circumstances. You should be ashamed of your bigoted hatred for Christian missionaries and disaster outreach ministries. However, as I stated, keep your change in your pocket. Your contribution was covered anonymously.

  37. JWTJr

    Trav, you should know that any religious involvement taints the whole thing. They can do no good. Right Kippy?

  38. travelah

    Thats because they think religion is evil … wait, evil … thats a religious concept

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