Why I won't donate to Haiti Relief...

[DisTeach1]

Ya know, I've come to realize, that most of our contributions don't count for NOTHING towards the people that really need it. If I donated $100 towards Haiti relief, I know that that money would not make one bit of difference to the people suffering in Haiti. So, this is what I do...

I believe "charity starts at home". I was raised by a struggling single Mom who would have loved an extra 10 bucks or anything at times...When she was in the hospital, and I was 15, a neighbor came by and squeezed an extra $200 into my hand...I bought groceries with that money for my sister and I to eat while my Mom was in the hospital.

I have a friend who is a single Mom who got behind in her electric bill...At christmastime, I went and paid $200 towards her electric bill. She didn't know who did it, but I know it made a big difference to her.

I paid another childs sports fees for the year, again, anonymously, but I KNOW it made a difference.

My own family...My sister is barely making ends meet...But she won't accept a handout. I buy all of the clothes for her children, and their shoes. One less thing she doesn't have to worry about and I make it as a gift...Christmastime, Valentines Day, Easter...the girls get clothes and shoes.

I bought a homeless Mom and her two kids a dinner from Kentucky Fried Chicken. As I was walking in, she asked me if I would have any change to spare on my way out, so I gave her my change and a dinner.

I guess what I'm saying...These big charitable organizations...I have lost my faith that my small $100-$200 donations really makes a difference. Yet, I know if I do it close to home, it makes a HUGE difference.

And I'm not saying the people in Haiti don't need help. I don't have a solution to that. I just know that in hard times, I have put my money to where I know it will make a HUGE difference.

 

[Carly_Roach]

And I'm not saying the people in Haiti don't need help. I don't have a solution to that. I just know that in hard times, I have put my money to where I know it will make a HUGE difference.

Amen to that.

 

[handinpocket]

I'm keeping my dollars at home too. The family whose house burned down last night is going to need that money just as much as those in Haiti, if not more.

 

[NC State]

I do agree with you and feel the same way.

 

[Stitchfans]

Someone else who thinks like me and had the nerve to voice it. Look out no doubt there will someone or several who will flame us for this. Whatever.

 

[honugirl]

I feel the same way. I can do more good with my limited resources helping my fellow neighbors and soldiers right now.

I agree the people in Haiti need help and I don't have a solution for that.

 

[JerseyJanice]

I can totally see your point, even though I gave to the Red Cross for Haiti. I just had to do something for those people after watching all the news coverage.

I keep thinking that I'd like to adopt a child who was orphaned by the earthquake. My son would like that, too, but I don't know about DH.

 

[Carly_Roach]

What bothers me most about these kinds of things is that they become the "fad of the day" and everyone jumps on the bandwagon because this event is what's on the box at this time. What happens is that the charity gets BILLIONS that are earmarked ONLY for that specific event, and anyone else who is in trouble or in danger gets pushed to the side.

If the US and all nations are donating money and supplies, bouyed up by all the celebrity multi-million dollar donations, in a country where one dollar goes pretty dang far, then I'll consider the Hatians well taken care of and continue my small, but steady, donations and tithings to my local groups.

I have no interest in competing with perfect strangers over who gets the right to claim they're the "most generous" because they did "X" for the most recent disaster/fad. That's not a competition I'm even remotely interested in getting into.

Kudos to the OP for starting this thread!

 

[AKL_Megs]

I'm keeping my dollars at home too. The family whose house burned down last night is going to need that money just as much as those in Haiti, if not more.

If I donate to the Red Cross, I make sure that my donation goes SPECIFICALLY to those who have suffered a house fire.

 

[java]

Donating to charities isn't for everyone and I don't fault anyone that choses not to donate.

I did my research long ago- and found a charity that can turn your $1 into $35 of aid. 99% of funds go straight to relief(not administration or fundraising) That is where I chose to spend my $$. It comes from my heart.

But that's not saying my charity is the one that should speak to you. You have every right to spend your money or not however you see fit.

 

[VillageMama]

I totally understand and agree. I'm glad that there are individuals, corporations and governments helping those in Haiti.

But I live near Detroit, which has children with as little housing and as little food as an earthquake victim. Our economy has imploded and there are many in my state who are out in the cold.

One person can only do so much and we are all called to help the world in different ways. I feel called to this philosophy... when there is no one in my town who needs help, then I can help someone in my state. When there is no one left in my state who needs help, then I can help someone in my country. In the happy event that there is no one in my country who needs help, then I'll help other countries.

I pray for the souls of those who have died, whenever I hear of a tragedy. But if I let myself feel the emotions that each tragedy (big or small) deserves, I would be an emotional wreck. I feel that I am a more effective helper by focusing my thoughts and works locally.

 

[cheermom1]

I feel the same way..I was a single mom for 10 years and I know what it is like ..I have gone out of my way to help a couple with a small child they didn't have a tree for christmas let alone gifts so i bought the tree and a few small things for them and some decorations ..granted I went to a second hand store but they were so grateful for everything...

 

[castleview]

I know what you're saying even though I'll probably give to the Red Cross or Doctors Without Borders. People think I'm cruel because I'm anti-government handouts. Yet, whenever I read in the newspaper about a family or person who has suffered a fire, accident, or health disaster - I'm the first to send a check.

 

[AKL_Megs]

...But I live near Detroit...

Hi VillageMama! Where are you near Detroit? We are in Livonia! Hello Neighbor!

 

[CF'er]

I did send $10 to the ARC. BUT.... HOW did Haiti get to be in the shape that it is in today? Apart from the Earthquake? I don't know much about it's history. I know they are saying that food/clean water are scarce at the best of times and now it's non-existent. And I know that there are a lot of charitable organizations already there because of the conditions pre-quake. I can't help but wonder how that county would be if only a fraction of the donations were made PRIOR to the quake. Where was the world then? Why does it take such a tragedy to get people moving?

 

[PghLybrt]

It can never hurt to do both.

 

[Muushka]

I just wanted to post before things got ugly.

OP, I agree 100%.

 

[DisTeach1]

If I felt that doing both would make a difference, I would do both.

But I am not Oprah, Angelie, or Disney. I only have a specific amount of funds that I can contribute, and I want those funds to actually HELP someone. I know that my $20 can make a huge difference to someone in my town, and I know that $1000 will make an INSURMOUNTABLE difference to my small church. I also know that my $100 would make no difference to the Red Cross.

I know that sounds brutal, it's just my belief system, and something that I have seen first hand in my own life. My husband and I did not "adopt a family" at Christmastime, because we felt privately that we were "adopting" my sisters' family, and all of our extra money went to her and my nieces.

Could I do both? Yes. Would that make the MOST difference? No.

 

[Boxley]

B]don't count for NOTHING towards [/B]

I'm confused.

 

[Piecey]

I feel the same way.

The day after the Haiti disaster a local Humane Society burnt down. They lost all the cats, all the dogs that were inside, all their supplies, etc..

I told DH if we were donating it would be going to them, not Haiti.