7 days and 7 ways to help

It's been one week since the magnitude 7.0 quake rocked Haiti. I can't even begin to imagine experiencing such a traumatic event, but it's been really inspirational how everyone has rallied to help all those affected. I've been keeping up with what is going on in the news and through firsthand accounts at The Livesay [Haiti] Weblog and Melonnie in Haiti. If you want to help, here are a few places your money can be used:

1. Red Cross - Click on the link to donate or text "Haiti" to 90999 to send a $10 donation.
2. Save the Children - Save the Children has been working in Haiti since 1978 and has about 200 staff there. In Port-au-Prince, they are helping to provide food, water, shelter and child-friendly spaces. You can donate $10 by texting "Save" to 20222.
3. Northwest Haiti Christian Mission - According to their Web site, "Northwest Haiti Christian Mission is an Independent Christian Church organization dedicated to establishing and partnering with indigenous churches to help bring people in Northwest Haiti out of spiritual, physical and social poverty to demonstrate God’s love for all." They have programs that include schools, orphanages, medical clinics and agricultural development. You can send $5 by texting "support NWHCM" to 20222.
4. Craft Hope for Haiti - An Etsy shop was set up by volunteers for crafters to donate their products for purchase. The money raised is approaching $10,000, and donations for crafts to sell will be accepted until the evening of Jan. 20. So, donate your crafts or see what is available to buy. Money raised will go to Doctors Without Borders in Haiti.
5. Clinton Bush Haiti Fund - Presidents Clinton and Bush have been asked by President Obama to help raise money for immediate relief and long-term recovery efforts. You can send $10 by texting "Quake" to 20222.
6. StillerStrong.org - Ben Stiller is working with Save the Children to raise money to expand school in Haiti, dig a well for drinking water and plant sustainable crops. In light of recent events, money raised now will temporarily go toward the relief effort.
7. Heifer International - Not typically who you would think of after a tragedy, but the organization has been in Haiti for 10 years and has numerous projects in place already that affect more than 16,000 families.

“Heifer is by no means a traditional first responder,” said Steve Denne, chief operating officer of the global hunger and poverty organization, “but we have projects and partner families in Haiti who likely have lost everything, and now, with this devastation, the need is even greater than before. This appeal will help us help our current families begin to rebuild their lives, and provide the chance to help even more families recover from this devastating blow.”