Saturday Post

I normally don't post on Saturdays, but sometimes things happen in the world that do not necessarily feel the desire to match my update schedule.

As most people are already aware, Haiti was recently hit by one of the most devastating earthquakes in history. Hospitals and shelters are just as likely as any other building to be destroyed in an earthquake, making relief efforts ever more difficult and frustrating.

I'm encouraging everybody to donate and help out with the relief efforts. The Red Cross and UNICEF are taking donations through their Haiti Earthquake Relief Funds. Here are the links:

American Red Cross
UNICEF

Some quick steps you can take to help out with the relief efforts:

1. Tell your friends. Sometimes disasters happen so often and so far away that we write many of them off as just another one. Take notice. Make your friends and family take notice.

2. Donate. I included the Red Cross and UNICEF links on this post because most people are familiar with these organizations. There are certainly several other organizations collecting and holding programs for relief. Money tends to be the most useful in times of crises, but make sure that you know where your money is going. Although disasters strike in many people's hearts a chord of sympathy, many people see earthquakes as just another opportunity to scam you. If you are donating, make sure you are doing so to a reputable organization.

3. Start a fundraiser at your school/company. More people contributing = more aid. Simple enough.

4. If you are religious, keep the victims and their families in your prayers, and if you are not, keep them in your thoughts. A moment of positive thinking will only take 30 seconds of your time, and it certainly can't hurt anyone.