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

[JerseyJanice]

I think it's good that there are those of us who keep our charitable contributions close to home and others who give because they are moved by major events. Either way, the object is to help the less fortunate.

Boy, I was ok keeping my opinions on this subject to myself until you referred to this great tragedy and all the attention it needs to get as "hooplah". All I can say is Wow...

Ditto on the wow there!

You know, I think there are three times in my life where I've sat in front of the TV for hours, unable to look away from coverage that had me crying nonstop. Since the earthquake happened, I've spend hours watching the news and crying. It was the same thing on 9/11/01, during the aftermath of Katrina, and now this.

Watching it all, I just had to do something, so I sent texts to the Red Cross and President Clinton's organization. It's not nearly enough, but I think it's the same thing as when someone you know dies. You have to do something for their loved ones, like bake a cake or buy a Mass card. It's not nearly enough, but it's something you do because your heart is breaking.

However, I think that if this tragedy hasn't moved everyone the same way, there's nothing wrong with it especially if they are moved by something else. Maybe I should have had the same reaction to the Christmas Tsunami or other events, but I can't say I did, and I don't think I'm evil for that.

Different things speak to different hearts and minds. It's what makes the world go around.

 

[MissyDVC]

I think it's good that there are those of us who keep our charitable contributions close to home and others who give because they are moved by major events. Either way, the object is to help the less fortunate.



Ditto on the wow there!

You know, I think there are three times in my life where I've sat in front of the TV for hours, unable to look away from coverage that had me crying nonstop. Since the earthquake happened, I've spend hours watching the news and crying. It was the same thing on 9/11/01, during the aftermath of Katrina, and now this.

Watching it all, I just had to do something, so I sent texts to the Red Cross and President Clinton's organization. It's not nearly enough, but I think it's the same thing as when someone you know dies. You have to do something for their loved ones, like bake a cake or buy a Mass card. It's not nearly enough, but it's something you do because your heart is breaking.

However, I think that if this tragedy hasn't moved everyone the same way, there's nothing wrong with it especially if they are moved by something else. Maybe I should have had the same reaction to the Christmas Tsunami or other events, but I can't say I did, and I don't think I'm evil for that.

Different things speak to different hearts and minds. It's what makes the world go around.

Beautifully said

 

[JESW]

Will it ever be told where the donation money goes and what it helps? Right away of course it should be used to treat and feed the injured and anyone else in the country - but after that, then what? Will the donation money be used to build a hospital, schools, homes? Where on earth do you start to re-build? How do you decide where the money goes? Who will be responsible to make sure the money goes where it is supposed to go and not in the pockets of the wrong people?

My heart goes out to all those affected, but it would be good to know that what we contribute will actually HELP.

Jill

 

[MaryAnnDVC]

All I am saying is that if the donations aren't worth it, then if she finds herself in a natural disaster herself, she should rely only on the locals that she has helped to bring her that case of water.

Since her principles mandate that a case of water took too much of an overhead to purchase, then the same prinicples would mandate not accepting that same case of water if she finds herself in a natural disaster.

You can't have your cake and eat it too - having a policy to not contribute to the larger charities because their overhead is too high but then turn around expect relief from these same first responders if you find yourself in a natural disaster and need their donated help to survive another day.

If I choose to donate $5 or a million dollars to the American Cancer Society because I feel that's where it will be best used, or because I was personally touched by cancer, and that it was better spent there than, for example, the Salvation Army, then I shouldn't accept help from the Salvation Army if I should someday need it?

Oh geeez, I just read this again. I surely hope no one is eating their cat.

I thought I just misunderstood some sort of deep analogy.

Actually it's over $3 billion hat the US has sent to Haiti in the past two decades to help stabilize and assist with the needy. NO ONE has been able to identify where all that money went.

Really? That's disturbing to hear, if it's true. I'm not saying it isn't...I'm just saying I didn't look into it myself to confirm it.

All laudable actions, to be sure. But if one has chosen to allocate one's charitable dollars elsewhere, one can start to feel a little pressured and even a little defensive. One might be tempted to say outloud in some way, "Here is why I'm not accepting your offer to donate to this cause.". One might feel that the implication out there is that all decent people will donate heavily to Haiti... and one might want to explain how one is still a decent person, even though they are not donating to Haiti.

Excellent point.

I have no response regarding whether or not people should donate money closer to home, but I do want to stress that it's incredibly important that if you donate to disaster relief that you don't divert your usual donations in lieu of it.

So many charities were incredibly hard hit after 9/11 when people stopped donating to the charities that they usually supported and instead sent their donations to 9/11 relief.

I would hate to see such a thing happen again. When disasters happen, we have to dig deeper to help.

And I personally hope we all do.

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.

All of those things matter a LOT but do any of them truly compare to the Haiti earthquake?

It does to the people in the U.S. who are suffering.

I'm not saying I don't have a HUGE amount of compassion for the people of Haiti, nor that I won't or haven't donated...that's my personal business. But I don't begrudge anyone who chooses to donate their resources to other charities.

 

[Poppinsme]

I am happily giving money to Haiti.
I DON'T care what regime is there.
It has nothing to do with politics.

The poor people of Haiti gave money and help to us here in Louisiana after hurricane Katrina. God bless them. God bless them!!!!!

THEY need all the help they can get.

My good friend Dr. Allen is there now with Doctors Without Boarders.
And I know this Dr. and he is a selfless, fabulous human being. And so is this charity, so I give to them.

No one has to give a penny to anyone its your choice.

 

[Mermaid02]

We also give locally.

 

[PghLybrt]

The same discussion has been going on in our home. My wife wants to give to Haiti, I want to keep the money local and donate to the homeless shelter.

Why not compromise? Give your $ to Haiti and your time to the shelter? The best of both!

 

[LuvCuteBoys]

I truly feel for these people - and I'm glad that so many are stepping up to the plate and giving huge donations - as well as the individuals that are donating $10, $20, or whatever..

However, when something like this happens - and I see such large amounts of money leaving this country for disaster relief - it also makes me kind of sad.. Why? Because as the OP pointed out, there are so many people right here in the United States that are in need, but they fall through the cracks.. There's no big "news" coverage - no big advertisements requesting donations - no one saying, "Remember your fellow citizens.. If you have a few dollars to spare, buy your struggling neighbor a bag of fruit or vegetables.. Donate a little extra at school supply time so that a less fortunate child can also have a binder; 3-ring notebooks; a backpack; whatever.." It seems that the only time these people are remembered (by everyone) - and there's really any sort of "push" to help out - is at Christmas time.. What about the other 11 months of the year?

If one can afford to do "both", that's great! But if it's a "choice" - between helping people right here in our own country - OR - helping those in a foreign country - I would feel more comfortable taking care of "our own" first.. I truly believe that there are many, many families right here that are doing the best they can, but could still benefit from a helping hand.. It's nice to see that many on this thread recognize that as well...

I think a lot of times, people have only so much that they can donate and sometimes like to spread it around. It's easier to donate a couple notebooks in September and some food in November and a toy in December. It's not that people don't care about hungry people at other times during the year, it's just that maybe in February they'd rather donate to the American Heart Association instead. That's why most organizations have one or two big fund drives a year. Unfortunately, no matter how philanthropic you are, you can't help everyone. But a little bit is always better than nothing.



There was a thread a while back where one person was commending a well-known celebrity for the donations he and his wife and made and others immediately jumped on it, saying that he should have done more.

I absolutely hate the one-upmanship. Doing good is not a competition. The OP wants to donate to something other than Haiti? Fine. Do it. I understand your reasoning and I understand the reasoning of those who disagree. And heck... maybe sometimes we DO want a pat on the back for doing good. I actually don't think there's anything wrong with that, as long as it's not a constant "Oh Look At Me" kind of thing. But people should remember that donating time and money are a personal decision. The only person who has to live with the decision is the person donating... or choosing not to. It's not up to someone else to question that decision.

My personal opinion... a human being is a human being. It doesn't matter one iota to me where they live. Especially since a lot of times, that is just based on sheer good or bad fortune of being born to your particular parents.

 

[mfd25wife]

All of those things matter a LOT but do any of them truly compare to the Haiti earthquake? The only recent US event that seems a little similar is Katrina and the other hurricanes that caused so much devastation.

I personally would love to give to everything but of course that's not going to happen.

I don't think the person suffering sees a difference. They are both in danger of dying. I'm not talking about the person that is complaining because they have to eat bologna when they don't like bologna, I'm talking about the person with no food or shelter who probably doesn't feel any more fortunate than the person in Haiti, the person who doesn't know if they are going to freeze or starve to death, etc. I'm not being unsympathetic. I just think human suffering (true suffering, may not survive suffering) is the same regardless of the cause. Yes, there are more people in pain in Haiti right now and I would take that pain away if I could, but does that make the person across town less important? I commend any person donating, whether it is locally or in Haiti.

 

[AKL_Megs]

I personally want to thank you and everyone that does that...on 11/20 we had a house fire and lost everything..Red Cross came out and gave us enough to buy some clothes and winter coats. When I am in a better position, I will definitely return the favor.

I wondered how you had been since then... how are things? Hope they are moving along quickly and without much difficulty for you.

 

[Planogirl]

I debated posting on this thread but your post stated what I was trying to say and way more tactfully.

I understand that there are so many needy people in our own coountry who would benefit from charitable donations. I also understand that there is just a finite amount of money that families can offer outside of their own homes and must determine how that money will be spent. What I do not understand is how anyone can compare the human trauma that the Haitian people are experiencing now with any that we have here in the USA. I realize that most people are not saying that they are not sympathetic to the Haitian people's plight but I must admit that the tone of this thread makes me sad.

As others have said, donations are personal and I hope that the local charities do not suffer but I must say that right now Haiti is in desparate need of help and I pary that the Wold continues to respond. My DH and I talked about how when people are in such need it is wonderful that the World comes together to help. I don't have the words to convey how that makes me feel, people more articulate than me would do better but all I know is that for a period of time politics and personal issues are set aside and we are all on the same "side".

I think that you stated this very well.

 

[Planogirl]

I don't think the person suffering sees a difference. They are both in danger of dying. I'm not talking about the person that is complaining because they have to eat bologna when they don't like bologna, I'm talking about the person with no food or shelter who probably doesn't feel any more fortunate than the person in Haiti, the person who doesn't know if they are going to freeze or starve to death, etc. I'm not being unsympathetic. I just think human suffering (true suffering, may not survive suffering) is the same regardless of the cause. Yes, there are more people in pain in Haiti right now and I would take that pain away if I could, but does that make the person across town less important? I commend any person donating, whether it is locally or in Haiti.

You might be right that someone suffering may not see a difference. But I do. Maybe it's only because it's so horrible to me that people are trapped under mountains of rubble. Plus those who aren't might be injured and no one can operate right now. Also, there is no power or food or shelter or water or really anything for many people.

I don't like to compare suffering because it's all bad but the scope of what's going on in Haiti just boggles the mind.

 

[LadyKay]

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?

Now that deserves an AMEN!!!!! The World can change, one person at a time

 

[LadyKay]

I see your point but I happen to disagree. With 80% of Hatians being illiterate, and living on less than $2 a day, I don't see how that suffering can be compared to the average 'poor' person in the USA.

I think that it's a rediculous notion that paying an american child's sports fees does as much good as providing clean water to a person who has been trapped under a building for 3 days.

The root cause of the problems in Haiti is corrupt leadership/government. I don't believe that fact is in dispute. I'm not saying that I have the answers, I wish that I did. For now, I will give to recognized aid agencies such as the red cross in my attempt to do my part.

Spoken like a true Canadian

 

[declansdad]

I see your point but I happen to disagree. With 80% of Hatians being illiterate, and living on less than $2 a day, I don't see how that suffering can be compared to the average 'poor' person in the USA.

I think that it's a rediculous notion that paying an american child's sports fees does as much good as providing clean water to a person who has been trapped under a building for 3 days.

The root cause of the problems in Haiti is corrupt leadership/government. I don't believe that fact is in dispute. I'm not saying that I have the answers, I wish that I did. For now, I will give to recognized aid agencies such as the red cross in my attempt to do my part.

To the child who gets to play sports, the donation would be a huge deal.

Just curious, will you give to local charities when you have done your part in Haiti?

 

[Planogirl]

To the child who gets to play sports, the donation would be a huge deal.

Just curious, will you give to local charities when you have done your part in Haiti?

My son considers his sport a big deal too but I doubt that even he would compare it to dying and suffering people. That's quite a leap IMO.

 

[Briarmom]

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:

Your post made me feel as though I wasn't a totally selfish person for not wanting to get all caught up in the Haiti hooplah. And I bet I'm not alone in feeling that way. So thank you for that!

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.

 

[declansdad]

Why is it a problem for someone to prefer to give to someone local rather than to am agency collecting for a disaster? Local charities will suffer when something like Haiti happens. People only have so much to give and if it all goes to relief efforts like Haiti, others will suffer.

How many people were donating to the poor people of Haiti before this?

 

[Hillbeans]

Why is it a problem for someone to prefer to give to someone local rather than to am agency collecting for a disaster? Local charities will suffer when something like Haiti happens. People only have so much to give and if it all goes to relief efforts like Haiti, others will suffer.

How many people were donating to the poor people of Haiti before this?

I donated $600 last year as a sponsor of a baby/toddler little girl in NW Haiti. She was in a program where my $50 a month bought her Breakfast, lunch and dinner 5x a week. I was proud to say that I got a few updates throughout the year and a letter from them late last year saying the family left the program to move to another part of the country but I feel as if my small donation helped one person at a critical time in her development. I chose to send my $ through a direct church organization instead of a corporation, but one person and one donation can make a difference.

 

[Briarmom]

Why is it a problem for someone to prefer to give to someone local rather than to am agency collecting for a disaster? Local charities will suffer when something like Haiti happens. People only have so much to give and if it all goes to relief efforts like Haiti, others will suffer.

How many people were donating to the poor people of Haiti before this?

In my opinion, there is a huge difference between secretly deciding to double (triple, whatever) your donation to your local charities because you are worried they will suffer in the wake of the Haiti disaster, and coming on the DIS to brag about refusing to give to the Hatians. Refusing to give to people who are going through something so heinous that we can't even fathom it, but instead buying someone 3 months worth of extra-curricular activities and Legos and thinking it's the same damn thing.

In other words, perhaps the delivery could have been a bit better.