Texts For Haiti

After the earthquake in Haiti, students have added a new contact to their phones. The Red Cross and other charities have made a new method of donating available: texting.

According to The Mobile Giving Foundation (MGF), this idea started after the 2004 Tsunami when MGF CEO Jim Manis saw an opportunity, and collaborated with mobile carriers to make it possible for 100 percent of the money raised goes to the charity.

MGF decided to use technology as a way to spread the word about donating money since it seemed to be the most efficient method.

“I saw [the destruction in Haiti] on a commercial and I felt bad because I was sitting on a comfortable couch [while people in Haiti were suffering],” said junior Vera Johne, who texted in a donation.

According to MGF, which works with North American operators to enable the 100 percent pass-through of funds raised by mobile campaigns, texters raised $34 million in the month of January alone. This is the most that has ever been raised by a mobile campaign.

“I felt fine donating to Haiti through text message,” senior Liam Regan said. “I thought it was a great idea to accept donations that way. It reminds me of how Obama asked for many small donations and that amounted to large sums of money.”

Despite the no cell phone policy in schools that has been strongly enforced this year, students are still glued to their phones outside of schools, which helps to explain the expediency of fundraising for Haiti: everyone always has their cell phone on.

“AT&T actually texted me [to tell] me that I should donate, and I did,” Regan said. “I would definitely donate to another charity like this.”

While many have no concerns donating to any charity they hear about, others are more cautious about how they will be charged.

“I’d rather [donate] to a direct charity because I don’t feel like texting donations is very secure,” administrator Jan Fisher said.

MGF says that Fisher can text with ease because this means of donation is completely safe. No personal information like credit card numbers or even names are exchanged.

How to do it? Simply text a short code to a number, then the donor will receive a confirmation text message that must be responded to in order to complete the transaction. The donation, usually in amounts of $5-10 will be added to the donor’s monthly phone bill. Mobile providers then forward the donation to MGF, which sends 100 percent of the donations to the charity.

With this new method of donating money, profits will not only increase, but it will encourage more people to get involved in charities because of the easy accessibility.

Other Charities That Accept Donations Via Text
• Text ‘Haiti’ to 90999 to donate $10 to the Red Cross Haitian Relief
• Text ‘Help’ to 1291 to donate $5 to the Salvation Army Haitian Relief
• Text ‘Wish’ to 90999 to donate $5 to the Make a Wish Foundation
• Text ‘Darfur’ to 40579 to donate $5 to Save Darfur
• Text ‘Standup’ to 85944 to donate $5 to Stand Up to Cancer
• Text ‘JDRF’ to 40579 to donate $5 to Juvenile Diabetes Research International

Relief pours in to help efforts in Haiti

The 7.0 magnitude earthquake that devastated the nation of Haiti this January has stirred the conscience of the CHS community, and many are taking action to raise money for the impoverished country.

The SGA, along with other CHS clubs and groups, is doing its part to raise money to help Haiti.

“The Haiti earthquake and its aftermath have been absolutely devastating,” senior SGA president Meenu Singh said. “I think we can compare Haiti’s earthquake to our Katrina: lives have been lost, homes have been destroyed and for a large group of people, hope has been shattered.”

CHS donations for aid in Haiti are increasing because the funds from the SGA’s annual fundraisers are now being directly sent to Haitian relief.

“The SGA’s next big event is Mr. Churchill, which is coming up on March 18,” Singh said.“We will be placing a jug for each Mr. Churchill contestant outside of the main office. Students are invited to place money in their favorite contestant’s jug. The money raised will not only determine 10 percent of the vote for the Mr. Churchill competition, but will also go to an organization dedicated solely to Haiti relief.”

While school-sponsored groups have had a large role in fundraising efforts, other members of the student body are doing their part to raise awareness as well. 

Sophomore Will Mulhern is buying and selling blue and red wristbands to students.  He expects to raise $600 to $1,560. Mulhern custom-made the wristbands online to feature the Haitian national flag colors and all proceeds will go to Haiti relief efforts.
Senior Rachel Bonaparte has donated to Haiti via text message.

 “It’s wonderful and it gives you the satisfaction of knowing that you’re assisting people that need your help,” Bonaparte said.

Mulhern and Singh both recommend that students watch the news and read newspaper articles on Haiti so that they can remain informed on relief efforts and important developments.

Singh suggests working with community organizations, such as restaurants and churches, to donate toiletry items because the people in Haiti lack basic necessities for everyday life.

“The ways that an average student can help are only limited by his or her willingness to take initiative,” Singh said.

Haiti in desperate need of helping hands

A 7.0 magnitude earthquake hit the small Caribbean island nation of Haiti, devastating the capital city of Port au Prince and the lives of many already impoverished Haitians.

Located 700 miles south of Florida, Haiti’s population shares the island of Hispaniola with the Dominican Republic. It is home to 9 million people, and is recognized as the poorest nation in the western hemisphere with 80 percent of its citizens living below the poverty line.

“You see the poverty and you can’t really walk in the streets,” said junior Torshie Cineas whose mother’s family is Haitian. “When you are driving, you see little kids come up to the car and ask for money.”

Cineas recently spent part of her winter break with family in Haiti. While her family lives outside the city, she has witnessed the immense poverty firsthand.

“We have gotten in contact with some of [our family], although we just got in contact yesterday,” Cineas said. “My other family went to see the house [where my other family lives] and it was completely destroyed.”

Governments across the world are pledging their aid to the destroyed nation, and the U.S. federal government has activated the USNS Comfort, a hospital ship, and an aircraft carrier. In Northern Virginia, Fairfax County has already sent a 72-member disaster relief team into Haiti, with search and rescue dogs, first-aid kits and other disaster supplies. The local CHS community will also be donating money to the country.  Last year, the French Honor Society set a precedent of helping Haiti when they met with the Haitian ambassador’s wife and gave money to the country.

“The [FHS] is going to make a donation of over $1,000 to Haiti,” adviser Jeanne Touzeau said. “They [raised] this money through fundraising and they hope to continue fundraising.”

B’nai Brith Youth Organization will hold a bake-sale fundraiser to aid Haiti this Sunday, Jan. 17 from noon to 5 p.m at the Cabin John Mall Giant Food store.

To help with relief efforts click on the link “Ways to Help Haiti” in the left side bar on the Churchill Observer main page. Some organizations who are receiving donations are also listed below.

The American Red Cross: 800-733-2767 or text “Haiti” to 90999 to donate $10 which will be added to your cell phone bill

The Salvation Army: 800-725-2769

UNICEF: 800-367-5437

Hope for Haiti: 239-434-7183

Oxfam: 800-776-9326