With Amazon's move to help raise money for tsunami disaster I feel like attention and attitude towards the real need in that region is turning around for the better. As it's the week in-between Christmas and New Years it's really hard to raise awareness let alone monetary support. Something I learned firsthand working for a large non-profit for five years.
It doesn't take a whole lot from each of us to make a huge impact.
While digging through the piles of information on the SEA-EAT blog I came across this comment about giving that I thought was appropriate to share:
Thinking about it some more, I realize how stingy I am. I donated less than four times what it cost for the DVD set of the Live Aid concerts, something that I requested on my Christmas list and that I received Christmas Eve. And I'm willing to spend double to quadruple the donation I just made to take Vicki out for New Years Eve and our 9th wedding anniversary.
I just talked it over with Vicki and we chose staying home for New Years Eve, or doing something simple with friends, donating what we would have spent going out to the disaster relief effort instead. And if anyone puts together a benefit event by New Years Eve, I will consider donating to that also.
I don't know the guy who wrote this but he makes an excellent suggestion. Try to do without something this month and use that money to help the relief effort in some way. Amazon has made it easy to give but there are dozens and dozens of ways to send support — money and otherwise.
And If you can't afford to give then at the very least help raise awareness through your own website, communities and sphere of influence. Grab a badge, write an entry, post a link, whatever, just do it. The sooner the better.
Join the fray by reading through and commenting at the end.
Hi Greg,
Is it possible is I could add the same thing to my website using your help images.... LOL Sorry to ask..
But on the topic of the Amazone donation system, it truely was easy to donate and make sure the money gets to where it should.
No worries Sid. You're more than welcome to use the help images, that's what I made them for. That goes for everyone else too.
Yes, please donate all you can.
My country's government has estimated the total loss as RM 100 million --- approx. US$ 27 million. THIS IS ONLY FOR MALAYSIA. Malaysia only suffered 55 death losses. Imagine the loss in damages in Indonesia, India and Sri Lanka.
My suggestion, as crazy as it might be, would be to give up buying drinks (drink only water) at this weekend's parties and use that money instead for aid relief.
While the tone of the following editorial applies to a few countries and their leaders, Are we stingy? Yes shows that we should maybe be rattling the cages of our elected representatives as well as calculating our own personal donation capacity.
Another thing to keep in mind is that this will be a marathon effort that will require repeat donations over a long period.
Thanks for the graphics, Greg! I think they'll help get some needed attention towards the issue.
Like John said above, I hope there will be information forthcoming about repeat donations from the appropriate agencies; I'm sure the area will need it.
I am glad to see the blogging community supporting this cause so strongly. A few years ago I visited the area of Thailand that was hit by the tsunami. I spent two weeks climbing on the Rai Lai peninsula. It is a little spit of land barely above the ocean and I wonder how it fared through this. I am greatly concerned for the people I met out there, and any fellow climbers that may have been visiting.
The comment about this being a marathon effort is well taken. I need to do more than donate today.
I think there are lots of was to find some extra cash to give. I just donated a second time. Gave my holiday bonus. I simply don't need it near as much.
I've also got to say that it's a great thing Amazon is doing, make it easy. When I gave earlier this week, before they had that set up, it was a royal pain. Because of Amazon making it easy, I'll be donating again as I'm able.
I'll also urge anyone who is able to help out. We need to start thinking in a global sense. I've never been to the area, but I know there are lots of beautiful people suffering right now and they need all the help we can offer.
I don't know where else to put this, I already sent it to the president and vice president and placed it on my blog. Maybe we should all send a little something like this. Feel free to use this as a template for yours;
Dear President Bush and Vice President Cheney,
I am saddened as you are by the recent earthquake and resulting
Tsunami in South Asia. I heard President Bush's address and felt that
he was heartfelt in his statements concerning this tragedy. I must
include that I did not vote for your administration in the 2000
elections, nor the 2004 elections. here's your chance to show me that
you are the right thing for this country, to show all Americans that
not only we care about the rest of the world, but that our government
cares about the rest of the world.
I was appalled on learning that we are only sending $35 million in
disaster relief! I believe that businesses and private citizens of
America will be donating more from their own pockets than our
government. I gave $250 to the Red Cross after seeing this. I'm
twenty-six years old, working a blue collar job and am not a rich man.
$250 is not an easy amount for me to spend, but the loss of thousands
of lives and the possible loss of even more lives makes that decision
easy for me. I wonder, are you giving money in aid out of your own
pockets like me and millions of other Americans? Please I urge you to
do the right thing and set a standard for all other countries to
follow: SEND MORE RELIEF TO THESE HURTING COUNTRIES. Is $350 Million
too much to ask. Even $100 Million would be better than our first
contribution. Show your citizens, fellow man and the world that we
care immensely about all people of the world, not just Americans. May
God be with you in the new year. Make me prouder to be an American.
Sincerely,
Matthew (redacted)
Hey thanks for the permissions Greg, hope my tiny bit of linkage can help out... I tried to word to the best of my teen writing ablities...
I've decided to auction off something in the house on eBay and donate all the proceeds to one of the NPOs, such as UNICEF or the Red Cross.
I think this is a great way to come up with some extra cash to do something usefull with, especially if you don't happen to have lots of extra cash hanging around.
-Chris
It would be nice if Ebay followed Amazon's lead and kicked off an Action for America type of program.
It's good to see that Americans are more generous than their President. Or is it sad?
Anyway, Happy New Year. It's 1 and a half hour past midnight and I just donated my celebration money.
Some people think it's really mean and cynical for God to make such a horrible disaster happen at a time most people would be celebrating; but I think it's meant for us to learn how to set our priorities right, and how to expect the unexpected.
When a worse disaster strikes in the future, we'll be thankful for being ready.
people are dying in Irak every day. so please stop your hypocrit we feel so sorry for asia crap. USA out of everywhere