Helping Haiti

The plight of Haiti in the wake of the recent earthquake has
captured the attention of the world. Whether you are following the latest news
online, through your TV or newspaper, or via your smartphone, it is
heartwarming to see the way so many people are reaching out and trying to do
whatever they can to help.

While a great many people immediately began researching ways
to help on their own right away, some people weren’t sure what to do, and it is
wonderful to see influential people stepping up to inspire and inform. Some of
the shining examples of how people have been making a difference are Scott
Hertzog (@hertzog on Twitter) of the SciFiDiner Podcast, who, in addition to
keeping the best Twitter tabs on the crisis, also had a live broadcast on
January 13^th to discuss what is happening; Alyssa Milano
(@Alyssa_Milano), who has donated $50,000 to UNICEF and is challenging
corporations to match her donation; Blink 182 has put out a special shirt for
which they will donate 100% of the proceeds to the Red Cross; celebrity
humanitarian couple Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie, who donated an impressive one
million dollars to Doctors Without Borders while George Clooney organized a telethon on MTV; and President Barack Obama, who
continues to be far more tech-savvy than his predecessors in reaching the
public about important issues.

You can also donate art or collectibles to Heroes 4 Haiti,
a collective effort of comics creators who are pooling their resources
and talent to auction off items to benefit the people of Haiti.

While many other celebrities were donating funds
and lending their tweets to help in Haiti, one TV actor was experiencing the
tragedy on a very personal level. Heroes star Jimmy Jean-Louis, who was born in
Haiti, lost several family members when his childhood home collapsed during the
quake. He was able to confirm on Thursday, however, that his parents had
survived, and has stated that he is planning to return to Haiti to assist in
humanitarian aid.

In addition to individuals who are making a difference, many
corporations have stepped forward to assist. Google has taken over the person
location database, and many cell phone and credit card companies have decided
to waive fees on donations made to the efforts.

While looking for ways to help with the disaster response in
Haiti, I came across an improv group here in New York City. Queen of Sharks
will be donating the proceeds from their January 16^th and January 23^rd
shows to the Red Cross for the 
Haiti Relief and Development Fund. Troupe member Jason Tyne-Zimmerman,
who is a former Greenpeace volunteer, decided to organize the fundraiser in
support of Haiti. In the two years that Queen of Sharks has been around, they
have also raised funds for the Avon Foundation Walk for Breast Cancer and for
Boston Partners in Education.

The group, which consists of three men and three women, is
competing in something called the CHOMPetition, wherein thirty-two NYC improv
teams compete, elimination-style, for thirty-one weeks. The admission fee,
which is $5, gets each audience member a ballot. For the next two weeks, the
profits from those ballots will be donated. If you are in the New York area and
you would like to attend, here is the event information:

Queen of Sharks presents the CHOMPetition Haiti Fund-Raiser
Saturday 1/16 and 1/23 @ 7:00
At Identity Bar
511 E. 6th Street
(Between Avenues A and B)

212-995-8889

You can find out more about Queen of Sharks via their
website: http://www.queenofsharks.com
and you can follow them on Twitter (@QueenofSharks).

If you are looking for an outreach organization to make a
donation of your own to the efforts in Haiti, please remember to follow the
sage advice of Wil Wheaton “…Be compassionate, but
careful.” Here is a list of eight reputable charities that are helping with
disaster response for this crisis:

• Doctors Without Borders
• UNICEF
• Hope for Haiti
• The Lambi Fund of Haiti
• CARE Haiti Earthquake Relief
• World Food Program Haiti
  Earthquake Relief
• World Vision Haiti Earthquake
  Relief
• Global Giving Relief Fund for
  Haiti Earthquake

Share your stories of how you are helping Haiti! Comment
below.