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

[lacrosse_lady72]

I understand your point, but don't necessarily agree. There are plenty of people here in the US that ar living under bridges, overpasses, benches, etc. and really don't know where their next food or drink is coming from. We have elderly that have a home, but no funds to heat or cool it and freeze to death or die of heat stroke. We have women that are running with their kids from abusive homes and while we have some shelters for them, those shelters need help. I hate it for the people of Haiti, and have no problem with donating to them. But, I think in the US we tend to not realize how some of our fellow Americans are living because it isn't all over the news. I have no problem with those that choose to donate to one over the other.

I've known people who have been through it, and although I was too young to know, I have too. When I was really young, ramen for dinner was a good night. My mom had it tough, she was single, a kid to raise, ZERO money and had to work and travel via bus or walk. Sometimes we didn't have enough money ($.50 or whatever) to go to the store so we walked. And we weren't in this situation because of alcohol or drugs, life just sucked... mainly due to my d-bag father.

My point is, there are plenty of people in the US who are struggling. They don't know where their next meal will come or if they'll have a dry place to sleep at night.

 

[DisneyKT]

I wasn't going to post again since my post was deleted. I really wasn't. But now I feel I must. Because the OP and this piece of work:



are still allowed to be up. I'm truly disgusted.

Hooplah? Are you freaking kidding me? We are not talking about leggings or the newest HBO miniseries. We are talking about HUMAN BEINGS. Living and dying right now in the world.

We're talking about a friend of mine who is in the US Air Force who is MISSING. Is he less than deserving of aid right now because he doesn't need soccer cleats? He needs someone to go out and FIND HIM.

ITA with you 100% . Why anyone would think a major disaster is Hoopla is beyond me. Jeesk.

I will pray for your friend. I hope he is found alive and well.

 

[declansdad]

I don't get the division on the worthiness of one charity over another. If you're in a financial position to give and you do so in response to an event/organization that touches your heart, then your motive is pure and authentic. For you, that charity is worthy - for others, maybe not so much.

We all have the opportunity to examine the performance, so to speak, of a charity and can make a decision if our money will be well spent. So to the OP, if you don't believe that funds to Haiti will be received in the manner you would like them to be, then I'm sure you will find another charity to support that fits your criteria.

There are tons of organizations that want/need donations. It is their job to make us aware. Some awareness campaigns may be more splashy than others, but it is to generate as much in donation as possible. It's our job to be good stewards of our money and choose wisely. But don't fault the actual recipients of the aid if in your opinion, the media saturates the market.

This thread, I think, is bringing out the worst is some of us, when actually we are debating back and forth where our donations should go and why. People, to be in a postion of giving is a good thing, considering the economic rollercoaster we've been on the past year and half.

Well said!

 

[DVC~OKW~96]

We do both; help locally, and globally.

Haiti is in the condition (pre-quake) that it is, due to not only the bad leadership there, but interference on the part of the US. We were in there, "dethroning" Papa Doc Duvalier, and the lovely little Baby Doc, and then left them to their own devices. As we are doing with Iraq, we would have done much better service to that country to put an infrastructure in place, and not walk away.

Haiti, or Darfur, or Nigeria, or Uguanda, or New Orleans. Global tragedy is just that. If those that have, can help those who do not have, then things will improve.

Right now the problem in Haiti is getting the supplies through. The roads are in such disrepair, it makes getting the food, water, medical care, rescue units, etc. through to where they need to be, a major job.

SO! Give what and to whom you please. Or don't give at all. It really is an individual choice, and one that should come with some level of research. No sense in giving your money to a charity that donates pennies on the dollar to the cause. A person is no better for giving than is the person who did not give for whatever reason. Giving of itself does not make a person, or define a personal code of ethics.

 

[JimFitz]

Wow! This is a disturbing thread. People are dying....mothers lost their children.....children lost their parents......families have been torn apart for good and the OP has the nerve to sit in at her computer and talk about why they don't want to donate to Haiti?

$10 is nothing to many Americans (not all, but many). I pray for the people of Haiti and have donated to the Red Cross.

People keep saying how they don't have a solution for whats happening in Haiti. You can be part of the solution by stopping for one minute and doing something to help! Be part of the solution.

 

[DVC~OKW~96]

Wow! This is a disturbing thread. People are dying....mothers lost their children.....children lost their parents......families have been torn apart for good and the OP has the nerve to sit in at her computer and talk about why they don't want to donate to Haiti?

$10 is nothing to many Americans (not all, but many). I pray for the people of Haiti and have donated to the Red Cross.

People keep saying how they don't have a solution for whats happening in Haiti. You can be part of the solution by stopping for one minute and doing something to help! Be part of the solution.

The OP has every right in this world not to donate to Haiti or any other cause. "Helping" is a personal choice. Period. It's not a requirement of citizenship, or a legal factor. It's a simple, do I or don't I question.

 

[JimFitz]

My grandmother always said...the more I see of people.....the more I like dogs.

 

[dogluva]

My grandmother always said...the more I see of people.....the more I like dogs.

But I am sure when push came to shove she would help the people first. Also, I think she would help the baby whose mother just died as opposed to the boy who couldn't afford the little league fee.

 

[VillageMama]

My grandmother always said...the more I see of people.....the more I like dogs.

Because dogs are so charitable? Sending aid to cat disasters?

Dogs might be loyal pack animals and I've got one of my own, but I prefer humans with their abilities to think through issues and make tough decisions. Dogs couldn't care less about disasters, so long as their tummies are full.

 

[pennymom]

Thank you to all of you who donate locally!
Thank you to all of you who donate nationally!
Thank you to all of you who donate internationally!
And thank you to all of you who donate your time!
(I'm a Red Cross Disaster Volunteer locally, and once went nationally. Our chapter is helping with repatriated Americans returning from Haiti through a local military base, so the situation has become a bit of a local issue for us.)

I completely agree that everyone has the right to donate wherever their heart leads. I also agree with a PP who said that during a major natural disaster it is nice to hear about people digging a little deeper and holding off on things like getting new clothes or buying a coffee out, or anything else that can free up a bit of cash to help with disaster relief.

I am glad to hear that so any on the Dis give their money or time to so many worthwhile causes!

 

[Mickey Fliers]

But I am sure when push came to shove she would help the people first. Also, I think she would help the baby whose mother just died as opposed to the boy who couldn't afford the little league fee.

Because dogs are so charitable? Sending aid to cat disasters?

Dogs might be loyal pack animals and I've got one of my own, but I prefer humans with their abilities to think through issues and make tough decisions. Dogs couldn't care less about disasters, so long as their tummies are full.

I do think you have missed the point!

As I said before, give or don't give. But what did the OP expect to hear when they asserted that the disaster in Haiti was less deserving of their dollars than the kid who wanted to play soccer?

 

[JimFitz]

I think my dog quote is being taken out of context. The tone of some people in this thread is disturbing to me and shows a side of humans that is not very nice in my opinion.

 

[VillageMama]

I was just kind of joshin' with ya, Jim. When I hear that saying that I think the person is missing the point. Yes, humans can behave far worse than dogs.

But only humans are able to put forth this much thought and effort in trying to make a difference in the world. We debate these issues not because we're callous, but because we care.

I would love to help everyone in the world. I really would. It breaks my heart that right at this very minute there are suffering children in Haiti and in Korea and in Detroit.

I have to figure out how I best can make a difference. I'm going to have to answer for it some day.

 

[Soarin08]

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.

BRAVO!!!!! You, my friend, spoke what I was thinking EXACTLY!!! THANK YOU for speaking your mind about this!

 

[tinker&belle]

Reading this just inspired me to text haiti to donate to the Red Cross...

 

[JerseyJanice]

Reading this just inspired me to text haiti to donate to the Red Cross...

Text "HAITI" to 90999 for the Red Cross or to 20222 for President Clinton's foundation. For each text you send, you'll donate $10 that will be charged to your cell phone account.

 

[PelletierBears]

I wasn't going to post my reaction, but I just have too...This thread just makes me sad to the point of tears. Whether or not you choose to donate to a specific cause is your own personal business. If you donate locally..Great!! If you choose to donate to a disaster like the earthquake in Haiti..Great as well!! A donation is a donation. Plain and simple! Every little bit helps. Haiti's troubles before the earthquake seem irrelevant to me at this moment. All that should matter right now is getting help to those people! My boyfriend's family is from Haiti. Luckily most of them have moved to the states over the years. And thankfully, his grandmother who still lives in Haiti was visiting his parents in New York at the time. But we do have friends who are from Haiti who have lost mothers, uncles, and friends. So this tragedy hits home for us. Just because it isn't the United States doesn't mean that it isn't affecting "our own." Like I said before whatever organization you choose to donate your time/money to, it is a wonderful thing to help anyone in need. But to call something as serious and devastating as this "Hooplah" makes my heart ache. I hope we can all stop the petty bickering and focus on the bigger issues on this topic and the ones at home. There is no right or wrong cause to give too!! My prayers are with everyone in need, not only in Haiti, but all over the world!

to you and your boyfriend's family!

This thread has become a bit disturbing and sad.

To respond to the OP...I see your point and generally agree. However natural disasters like this are an exception. Choosing to support rescue and relief efforts to help save lives IMMEDIATELY is much different then sending your regularly alloted charitable funds overseas when they can do great good here in our own backyards. Meaning...do both if you can! But also to your point, know where your money is going. I think this is something we can all agree with. While at the grocery store today there was a sign at the register asking for donations for Haiti. Sorry, I'll give my money to Red Cross, Salvation Army, etc who can account for how the money is being spent!

Mickey Fliers: The OP wasn't saying she thinks a child unable to play soccer is more deserving than the Haitian people, just that by giving to that child she can see first hand for herself the difference her money makes. There is nothing wrong with that. Let's not demonize the OP for stating her opinion (but we all knew where this thread was heading when we read the title didn't we )

Also, I think people are disillusioned. There is so much cooruption and mismanagement. 9/11, Katrina...do we even know how all the money donated to the Tsunami relief has been spent? In my opinion that's why some people choose charities closer to home.

In the end Bless you all for donating at all whether it's to your church, food bank, Red Cross, pet shelter...it's all good in the end. :

 

[Disneyadore]

The same thing will happen with the money that goes to Haiti that happened after the tsunami and every other natural disaster. People give money, the money gets misappropriated - the government officials make off with bags full and the people that need it get screwed.

Same story, different disaster.

Yesterday the RC from my country was asking for money for Haiti.
The reporter asked what happened to the money that was not spent after the tsunami. (several millions were not spent and that is very much for a little country like mine) The chairwoman just told the reporter blunt out that was non of his business.
A few years ago we had flooded parts of in my country. My sisters house was flooded and no one spend a dime to help the victims. We had to help our own people.

My donations goes there were I can see what happens whit my money it and I decide what that is.

 

[VickiVM]

Yesterday the RC from my country was asking for money for Haiti.
The reporter asked what happened to the money that was not spent after the tsunami. (several millions were not spent and that is very much for a little country like mine) The chairwoman just told the reporter blunt out that was non of his business.
A few years ago we had flooded parts of in my country. My sisters house was flooded and no one spend a dime to help the victims. We had to help our own people.

My donations goes there were I can see what happens whit my money it and I decide what that is.

What's an RC?

 

[Disneyadore]

What's an RC?

RC is Red Cross.
And what really puzzles my is that every reporter and his crew is capable to get to Port Au Prince but the crews with the "sniff dogs" have to stay on the airport for several days???
Another thing that really bugs my is the question why the international community is not capable to take the billions that papa Doc and his son stole from the Haitian people and use it for the purpose it was given?
Why is this money in Switzerland? Money the whole world donated over the years.