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

[handinpocket]

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.

It is rude to refer to Carly as a piece of work. She has stated her opinion in a non-attacking manner, why do you feel the need to attack her?!

 

[Planogirl]

I see nothing wrong with donating locally but I think that the question about donating prior to the disaster is puzzling. Many people are donating to help out with the disaster so Haiti being poor before seems meaningless in that case. Even though you could say that the enormity of the disaster is partially due to the country's poverty many people want to help the people get past the earthquake. Or so I'm told.

Many people donated to New Orleans charities after Katrina. Should they have also done so prior to Katrina?

 

[Aristocath]

Haiti has been run by Communist dictators for decades. In the last 20 years, the US has sent them about 2 billion dollars. It does no good. It never does any good. The money goes to prop up the thugs in charge and the people starve. Starving, weapon-less people aren't much of a threat to the thugs with machetes. They aren't starving by accident, but by design.

This is not true. Now, I won't argue that the government isn't corrupt, we know it is. But Haiti has a constitution based on the US Constitution and has worked hard to have a democracy.

 

[TheZue]

Maybe I'm weird but I don't see how donating to these things somehow makes it impossible for people to donate to local causes. When I donate to the massive natural disasters (and the ones I've sent money to were 9/11, Katrina, and the tsunami...I'm probably going to send some to World Vision for this) I don't take the money away from local charities. I buy myself less personal things like clothes or cofee. That money will be put to far better use in Haiti than in my closet right now. Shockingly I'm still giving to the foodbank when I do my grocery shopping. The enormity of these disasters always make me very grateful for our current situation and that I have the means to help.

 

[Briarmom]

It is rude to refer to Carly as a piece of work. She has stated her opinion in a non-attacking manner, why do you feel the need to attack her?!

OK.

 

[declansdad]

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.

 

[RitaZ.]

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.

Briarmom, I understand your anger. What has happened and is still happening right now in Haiti is such a horrible tragedy. I don't know how anyone in their right mind could refer to it as "hooplah". Honestly, those words are among the most inappropriate and callous that I've ever read on the DIS. It's simply disgusting.

 

[Mickey Fliers]

It is rude to refer to Carly as a piece of work. She has stated her opinion in a non-attacking manner, why do you feel the need to attack her?!

Clearly you haven't been around long enough to recognize an "attack".

I am just trying to figure out what one has to gain by publicly decrying "I am not donating to the people of Haiti". Seriously, what was the OP trying to gain? Support? Give money to whichever charity you want. No skin off my nose. But to come on a public forum and basically state that the suffering and devastation of a nation isn't worthy of your hard earned money just because it isn't "your" nation. Gross. You don't want to give to Haiti? Fine. We don't need the update.

 

[declansdad]

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.

I see your point but I didn't see it as bragging.

I saw it as saying there are important things that should be taken care close to home as well.

 

[Mickey Fliers]

Briarmom, I understand your anger. What has happened and is still happening right now in Haiti is such a horrible tragedy. I don't know how anyone in their right mind could refer to it as "hooplah". Honestly, those words are among the most inappropriate and callous that I've ever read on the DIS. It's simply disgusting.

She might as well have called it a "ballyhoo".

 

[Guy Incognito]

I see your point but I didn't see it as bragging.

I saw it as saying there are important things that should be taken care close to home as well.

my 2 cents on that one, but I'd have to say it would be more of 'there are important things that should be taken care of close to home *instead*', since it wasn't a matter of giving to local needs as well as Haiti.


might be over-generalizing here, but I'd say most people on this board aren't really hurting for the basics in life; and most (probably safe to say all) of us can afford to cough up an additional $10 to help out (heck, even $1 from everyone would make a huge difference when you total it up), and still manage to donate to local needs as well.

 

[Nancyg56]

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'll answer your question before I respond to yoour comment. Me.
Our Church has taken collections in order to send practical resources to Haiti. We send money, school supplies, Tylenol and OTC pain meds, money, money and money. One of our members is a dentist and has been to Haiti and organizes our drives for money and supplies.

There is never an issue donating to local charities rather than donating to agencies responding to disasters the magnitude of the Haitian earthquake. People always can choose how to spend their money. You do nto need a reason either. Giving is personal.

I will say that where I take offense is when comparisons are made in order to rationalize the choice not to donate to this cause. As I have stated before, I don't think any reason is necessary, you give or you do not give. I just cannot understand the thought process that compares the situation in our country and the needs here to the depth of destruction the Haitian people are enduring at this time. That is the only reason I have taken any offense to some of the posts in this thread. Yes, soccer is important, yes teh food banks need to be filled. Yes, we have homelss in this land, and yes we have people who do not know where their next meal o coming from. I am not suggesting we forget tehm in order to help those outside our Country. I am only suggesting that if you choose to keep your donations local then please just do that. Do not insult our intelligence comparing over 50,000 dead and 3 million in need of help with no medicine, no food or water for almost 4 days, their limbs amputated to try to save lives to kids needing soccer cleats.

And "hoopla" is insensitive.

 

[wdwfan16]

I see your point but I didn't see it as bragging.

I saw it as saying there are important things that should be taken care close to home as well.

For me I will find a way to get the $$$ for Haiti without taking any of my normal donation money. A tragedy like this requires me to give up that pizza order or movie ticket and donate to save a life.

What the Haitians have endured is not the worst of it. The worst is yet to come.

 

[dogluva]

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.

Uh, we are talking PEOPLE, not animals. This post just makes me want to cry. You are talking dogs and cates over babies? What is wrong with you????

DOGS ARE NOT HUMAN BEINGS!

 

[Melissa<3Disney]

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!

 

[declansdad]

I'll answer your question before I respond to yoour comment. Me.
Our Church has taken collections in order to send practical resources to Haiti. We send money, school supplies, Tylenol and OTC pain meds, money, money and money. One of our members is a dentist and has been to Haiti and organizes our drives for money and supplies.

There is never an issue donating to local charities rather than donating to agencies responding to disasters the magnitude of the Haitian earthquake. People always can choose how to spend their money. You do nto need a reason either. Giving is personal.

I will say that where I take offense is when comparisons are made in order to rationalize the choice not to donate to this cause. As I have stated before, I don't think any reason is necessary, you give or you do not give. I just cannot understand the thought process that compares the situation in our country and the needs here to the depth of destruction the Haitian people are enduring at this time. That is the only reason I have taken any offense to some of the posts in this thread. Yes, soccer is important, yes teh food banks need to be filled. Yes, we have homelss in this land, and yes we have people who do not know where their next meal o coming from. I am not suggesting we forget tehm in order to help those outside our Country. I am only suggesting that if you choose to keep your donations local then please just do that. Do not insult our intelligence comparing over 50,000 dead and 3 million in need of help with no medicine, no food or water for almost 4 days, their limbs amputated to try to save lives to kids needing soccer cleats.

And "hoopla" is insensitive.

I'm not asking anyone to rationalize their choices and I certainly don't thing of it as "hoopla" Although I do question the need for news agencies such as CNN being on the streets. Yesterday I watches a reporter have a mike passed into a man that was trapped in the rubble. But that is another thread.

Around here the kid who had his sports fees paid is just as likely to be wondering where his next meal is coming from, or where he will find a winter coat, or if they will have heat.

It is just as bad to make a person feel bad for choosing to donate their money locally instead of donating it the Haitian relief effort.

 

[dogluva]

Haiti has been run by Communist dictators for decades. In the last 20 years, the US has sent them about 2 billion dollars. It does no good. It never does any good. The money goes to prop up the thugs in charge and the people starve. Starving, weapon-less people aren't much of a threat to the thugs with machetes. They aren't starving by accident, but by design.

We are talking human beings. Do you really think a two year old under the rubble really practices communiism?

 

[Planogirl]

Uh, we are talking PEOPLE, not animals. This post just makes me want to cry. You are talking dogs and cates over babies? What is wrong with you????

DOGS ARE NOT HUMAN BEINGS!

It's interesting but several animal organizations are waiting for the green light to go in to help animals. They want to help livestock if there's a need to help Haiti in general. They want to help pets simply because that's what they know how to do. And they also want to help endangered species since again that is their expertise.

I see nothing wrong with that as long as resources aren't taken from people. They can work alongside.

 

[VickiVM]

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.

 

[joha]

Haiti has been run by Communist dictators for decades. In the last 20 years, the US has sent them about 2 billion dollars. It does no good. It never does any good. The money goes to prop up the thugs in charge and the people starve. Starving, weapon-less people aren't much of a threat to the thugs with machetes. They aren't starving by accident, but by design.

Wow! I usually don't get involved with other posters comments, but this is highly inaccurate.
Please, do your research and don't rely on hearsay for a lack of a better word.
Ignorance, misinformation and prejudice are dangerous (not an attack, so I hope nobody takes it personal, just what I believe).