Helping Haiti
Posted at 6:05 am on January 26, 2010 by Catherine
I can’t imagine there is anyone out there who hasn’t heard of the devastating earthquakes in Haiti over the past few weeks. You can’t help but hear, and once you’ve heard you can’t help but care. But also, you can’t help. I actually wrote a post on my personal blog about just how complicated compassion can be…and this post doesn’t even scratch the surface.
But no sooner had I written it than I had a chance to really and truly help. Haiti may be a world away, but its a small world. Suddenly “refugees” (probably not techincally the correct word) started arriving in Chicago and, due to some contacts that we have we got to help coordinate getting pack-n-plays for newly arrived Haitian babies to sleep in.
And now I’ve started getting word about the need for good homes to take in about 1,000 Haitian children who are arriving alone. Safe Families is working on this, if you are interested.
Then on WGN, I learned that Dupage County’s very own Glen Ellyn Bible Church is working to bring Haitian orphans, who’s orphanage was destroyed, to families in the USA. This is a pretty amazing story…they are actually working with Peter Roskam, Hillary Clinton, and others to hopefully bring this about. Here’s a link to the WGN story.
Children’s Boutique M and Em’s in downtown Glen Ellyn is collecting new and gently used clothing until February 1st. They will send the donated items to Haiti through a non-profit service organization so that the clothes get into the hands of those who need them. To thank you for your contribution, you will receive a 25% discount on any purchases when you bring in your donation. What an easy way to help that doesn’t cost you anything.
Here are some other sites that may be worth checking out if you are interested in what is being done and what you may be able to do:
Suddenly the world is very small, and suddenly we do have ways to help. Whether we house an orphan or share a pack-n-play or just drop off some old clothes, there is something all of us can do to reach out to people who are in desperate need. Will we?
What stories do you know? How have you been involved in the crisis? Post a comment, send us a link, or better yet become a guest blogger for DupageMamas.com!
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