By now the whole world has heard of the devastating earthquake that rocked the Haitian capitol city of Port-au-Prince early Tuesday morning.  Due to the terrible condition of the roads and the difficulty rescue teams are facing amid the miles of rubble, it is almost impossible to know how exactly many lives have been lost.  The Red Cross has estimated the number of casualties around 45,000-50,000 and the number could go up if survivors do not receive aid promptly.

Clean water and fresh food are scarce in Haiti and charities need all the help they can get at this time to bring supplies to the victims of this horrible disaster.  We urge everyone to make whatever donation they can to a reputable organization that will send the money to those that need it most.  If funds are tight, try holding a workplace fundraiser for disaster relief.  Give employees and patrons an opportunity to contribute.  Charitable donations are also tax deductible.  Be please cautious of charity scams.  We recommend donating to the following organizations who are currently offering aid in Haiti:

• AmeriCares
• Action Against Hunger
• World Concern
• The Salvation Army
• CARE
• Or, text 90999 to donate $10 to the Red Cross ($8 million have already been raised!)

The recipients of your generosity will probably never know your name, but you’ll know you did a good deed.

photo credit:  CBC News