This tragedy in Haiti is so unredeemingly awful, it just paralyzes one with

[branders seine]

outrage and grief. I wish I could do more than donate.

Maybe I can organize some sort of benefit to raise money.

Any suggestions which organizations would be best to help?

[liberalmuse]

1. I usually go with the Red Cross.

I know firsthand how much they help people in need. They are solid.

[branders seine]

2. I did a series of Katrina benefits for the Red Cross.

they went well.

Thanks.

[Ocracoker16]

5. That is so wonderful, keep DU posted on any plans you have

[EFerrari]

11. The ICRC is solid. The American Red Cross is sort of a scandal ridden mess.

[lunatica]

3. George Clooney is hosting a telethon for Haiti on January 22

http://news-briefs.ew.com/2010/01/14/george-clooney-haiti-telethon-mtv/

George Clooney's Haiti telethon to air on MTV, ABC, NBC, HBO, and CNN
by Leah Greenblatt
Categories: News, Television

On Friday, Jan. 22, George Clooney will host a live telethon to benefit earthquake victims in Haiti. Clooney’s rep says the telethon is now set to air on all of the MTV channels worldwide, along with ABC, NBC, HBO, and CNN. The show will air 8-10 p.m. ET.

Clooney first mentioned the event to Roger Friedman of The Hollywood Reporter last night at a private reception for his movie Up in the Air, and said that he has been reaching out to famous friends and performers to join in from both coasts.

His rep says Thursday night that the event’s logistics are still being ironed out, including what organizations/charities will be involved and which musicians will perform.

[gateley]

4. I've been wowed by DUers stories about Doctors Without Borders. Such things

as when they have received as much money as they need, they tell you you don't need to send any more, and one DUer said s/he'd received a message stating they'd received all they'd needed for a particular cause, did s/he want the donation to go to one of their other projects that were in need?

Just an extra level of integrity.

I'm sure you'll receive more suggestions, but because of DU, DWB has become my favorite charity.

[branders seine]

6. I've been a fan of DWB sinc I first heard of them.

When I did Katrina benefits, DWB was one of the groups I first thought of, but they either had limited involvement or had some reason we could not designate them. Frankly I don't remember.

Great, great group. What medicine should be.

[alsame]

7. I got one of those letters too after donating for the tsunami, asking if

I wanted a refund or to allocate the money to another project. :wow:

That kind of integrity coupled with their effectiveness across the globe has made them my #1 charity too.

[gateley]

9. Yes -- they seem to be places where they know they are needed -- that most

of us haven't heard of!

[alsame]

10. Yeah, that's why I'm very comfortable giving them my money - I believe

it's being used to help people all over the world, even if I don't know about it.

[omega minimo]

8. Come on by and breathe.

Don't despair.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=389x7483013

[branders seine]

13. thank you.

[Rosa Luxemburg]

12. along with Darfur and Rwanda and others

tragic and horrifying

[branders seine]

14. and we argue about Tiger Woods and Jay Leno

and other nonsense...

[Rosa Luxemburg]

16. I know!

[Fire_Medic_Dave]

17. Darfur and Rwanda weren't natural disasters.

[MineralMan]

15. Communicate with your personal network and encourage them

all to donate. I'm sure you have such a network. That is the best we all can do, in most cases. Begin sending emails, post on your Facebook page, and so forth. It works.

[Skittles]

18. I hear you

at the sight of the very first images coming from Haiti, I ran for my checkbook - I sent my donation to Doctors Without Borders