January 21, 2010

by Katie Throne

Athens For Haiti Benefit

The heart-wrenching stories of tragedy and survival coming out of Haiti are overwhelming. It’s hard to watch the evening news and not feel a sense of helplessness. What can we do here in Athens, GA, to help those in need so far away? The answer is to donate money to organizations you know will put your contribution to good use immediately. As a Peace Corps friend of mine pointed out, sometimes grassroots organizations work better than the big, government non-profits because they know the country in need more intimately.

Last weekend, tiny Madison, GA, raised $30,000 during a benefit concert to support Hope for Haiti, a FL-based non-profit started by a Madison resident. Now a UGA Professor who worked for 20 years in Haiti has planned, Athens For Haiti, a benefit concert to be held at 8pm, Jan. 30th, at the Town & Gown Theatre. All funds raised will go straight to those in dire need in Haiti.

Other organizations using donations on the front lines include Partners in Health, Doctors Without Borders, Convoy of Hope and Save the Children. There will also be a telethon airing Friday evening at 8pm on most major television networks featuring tons of musical performances, so you can donate during the telethon and also buy recordings of your favorite performances on iTunes w/proceeds going to Haiti.  

I’m sure as time goes by there will be other ways we can help those in need, but right now cash is the most urgently needed gift we can give. Click on any of the links above to donate. THANKS!

Athens | Haiti

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