Relief for Tsunami Victims

After this weekend's devistating Tsunami, is there something that we here at LTH Forum can do to aid to the stricken countries...many of which are the homes of the cuisines that we love? Sir Lanka was particularly hard hit, but Thailand and India were also victims. I'd be glad to organize and coordinate anything that would be appropriate. Perhaps a donation to the Red Cross.

Steve,

What an excellent thought.

Perhaps we should set up an LTH Fund and make one single contribution to the Red Cross or other international agency.

We have a payment mechanism set up for the LTH calendar; perhaps a similar system could be set up for an LTH Fund.

Hammond

Hi,

Sending money to a charity or entity which will responsibly use our resources is a must. It may be the Red Cross, it may be another organization who may be more directly involved. The cost of an international money transfer is $40 or less, and may be waved for special circumstances, sending the funds directly to where they can be used.

I'm sure ethnic epicenters in Chicago, like Thai Grocery or Devon Avenue will be sources to learn which charities will do what. We can also do a bit of research on the internet for responsible organizations.

After these mega disasters, there is often food and clothing collected, which often is warehoused rather put into immediate use due to infrastructure problems. Cash allows these charities/disaster entities to obtain exactly what they need.

I agree it's a great idea, I just want our effort to be put to use as we intend it.

Regards,

Cathy2 wrote:Hi,

Sending money to a charity or entity which will responsibly use our resources is a must. It may be the Red Cross, it may be another organization who may be more directly involved. The cost of an international money transfer is $40 or less, and may be waved for special circumstances, sending the funds directly to where they can be used.

I'm sure ethnic epicenters in Chicago, like Thai Grocery or Devon Avenue will be sources to learn which charities will do what. We can also do a bit of research on the internet for responsible organizations.

After these mega disasters, there is often food and clothing collected, which often is warehoused rather put into immediate use due to infrastructure problems. Cash allows these charities/disaster entities to obtain exactly what they need.

I agree it's a great idea, I just want our effort to be put to use as we intend it.

Regards,

Cathy,

I agree with you. The Red Cross may not ultimately be the best venue for relief efforts. It was just the first one that came to mind. If we uncover a better place for donations, I'm all for it. Your idea of checking with the various community centered ethnic resources is a great one. If anyone hears of a relief effort where donations are directly benefiting the people who are most affected, please let me know.

P.S. I have a way to handle cash or credit card donation that is independent of LTH Forum, similar to the way Mike G handled payments for the calendar.

Disaster Relief International seems like a possibility:

http://www.directrelief.org/sections/our_work/disaster_response.html?disasterad

Excellent idea,

CNN has a good page with a list of organizations that are accepting donations online.

http://www.cnn.com/2004/WORLD/asiapcf/1 ... index.html

Best,
EC

I have looked at both of the links that were posted. I'm leaning towards Disaster Relief International, since they work directly with local agencys who are directly helping the victims and know where/what releaf is needed. Now the question is, do we collect money and send one big donation in the name of LTH Forum, or do individual people want to contribute directly to DRI? Either way works for me. I'm happy to do the collection and take care of the details of getting the money to DRI if that's what people want to do.

stevez wrote: Now the question is, do we collect money and send one big donation in the name of LTH Forum, or do individual people want to contribute directly to DRI?

With the end of the tax year looming, people might want the official record of their charitable contribution and thus contribute directly to DRI.

Amata wrote:

stevez wrote: Now the question is, do we collect money and send one big donation in the name of LTH Forum, or do individual people want to contribute directly to DRI?

With the end of the tax year looming, people might want the official record of their charitable contribution and thus contribute directly to DRI.

Fair enough. Here is the direct linkto the Direct Relief International donations page for those who want to help. You can donate online, via phone or by mail. Please nhote that 99% of all donations go directly to the relief efforts. That's an inpressive percentage, which is better than any other group I have ever come across.

Amata wrote:

stevez wrote: Now the question is, do we collect money and send one big donation in the name of LTH Forum, or do individual people want to contribute directly to DRI?

With the end of the tax year looming, people might want the official record of their charitable contribution and thus contribute directly to DRI.

I'll take a write-off as quickly as the next guy, but given the probable size of the contributions (I'm guessing in the $5 to $20 category), it seems like making a group contribution should remain a consideration. As a member of the LTH community, I'd like to see what we might generate, together.

Hammond

I went ahead and made a donation to Direct Relief International. The online donation page includes a "Comments" box; I put the following in that box: "Given on behalf of LTH Forum (lthforum.com)."

Jim, you may have the right idea.

Disturbingly, a CNN QuickVote indicates that 62% of respondents think America is "doing enough" already for the Tsunami victims. That says more, I think, about American attitudes than about the size of the contribution made.

The Boston Globe reported this morning that the US is "preparing" to send another $20 million in aid (in addition to an initial $15 million) -- I'm sure it doesn't take long to blow off more than that in Iraq.

At any rate, in the absence of any coordinated plan on our end, making a contribution "on behalf of LTH" sounds like it may be the way to go.

Hammond

David Hammond wrote:The Boston Globe reported this morning that the US is "preparing" to send another $20 million in aid (in addition to an initial $15 million) -- I'm sure it doesn't take long to blow off more than that in Iraq.

That'll still make it $5 million less than the cost of the upcoming Inauguration. Not including security.

gleam wrote:

David Hammond wrote:The Boston Globe reported this morning that the US is "preparing" to send another $20 million in aid (in addition to an initial $15 million) -- I'm sure it doesn't take long to blow off more than that in Iraq.

That'll still make it $5 million less than the cost of the upcoming Inauguration. Not including security.

Maybe that means we're not spending enough on the inauguration!

Excuse me ... I thought the area of concern is assistance to those in these devastated areas. We seem to be veering off into politics which is not the best use of this forum.

Want to discuss a bake sale to raise funds for these people ... terrific! I am all yours ... so let's keep this topic on target, please.

Regards,
Cathy2

I've already made a personal donation, but would absolutely be willing to make a contribution as part of a group as well. I like Cathy's idea of a bake sale, or some sort of fundraising effort. Count me in if an effort of this type is organized.

Sharon

In addition to Disaster Relief International, I've come across this other site for Americares, which also seems reputable:

http://americares.org/about/

Because it works with corporate matching funds, every $100 you contribute to Americares results in almost $3K in actual aid.

Would like to hear more about the bake sale option -- could be an interesting LTH Forum event.

Hammond

Corporate matching funds is another reason that it may be best to give individually. My employer will match my direct contribution dollar-for-dollar.

Please check with your employers when making donations.

Best,
EC

Cathy2 wrote:Hi,
I'm sure ethnic epicenters in Chicago, like Thai Grocery or Devon Avenue will be sources to learn which charities will do what. We can also do a bit of research on the internet for responsible organizations.

Insted of a bake sale, maybe we could organize an effort partnered with places like thai grocery, or the restaurants of devon ave, etc, and hold a "taste of" event at a community center featuring the foods of the countries affected by the disaster. we could collect $$ at the door, and donate the proceeds to one of these charities, in the name of LTHforum.

after my preservation chicago fundraising event - i feel like i could easily contribute some of my free time to something like this.

any thoughts?

sharon

I had the same thoughts as everyone else and was waiting for news reports on how best to reach various organizations that will be directly involved.

I don't see an immediate upside to collecting LTH money and then sending the lump sum. Seems like it would just create an administrative 'middle-man' between each individual and the recipient organization. Since it's now so easy to give on line, it seems to me like each person's $20 (or whatever) will get where it's going quicker if we all just log on and start sending.

I do like the idea of just indicating 'on behalf of LTH' where that might be an option.

NPR interviewed someone on Devon Ave. yesterday who was talking about some organized relief between here and India, but I didn't get the specifics. The links already posted here sound very useful, as well as the suggestion to check on employer matching before sending the money to maximize the effect.

mrbarolo wrote:I don't see an immediate upside to collecting LTH money and then sending the lump sum. Seems like it would just create an administrative 'middle-man' between each individual and the recipient organization. Since it's now so easy to give on line, it seems to me like each person's $20 (or whatever) will get where it's going quicker if we all just log on and start sending.

Mrbarolo,

Yeah, I guess I pretty much agree. I was thinking a group contribution might be an opportunity for "community building," but the bake sale or the event that leesh suggested would serve that purpose more effectively.

Hammond

Speaking of lump sums... Amazon is facilitating donations to the Red Cross now. They're already up over half a million dollars.

Thanks for the lists of organizations that are taking donations online!

eatchicago wrote:Corporate matching funds is another reason that it may be best to give individually. My employer will match my direct contribution dollar-for-dollar.

Please check with your employers when making donations.

Best,
EC

BTW, DRI has a corporate matching program that seems impressive. They claim to be able to raise $3,400 for every $100 donated.

For 56 years, Direct Relief International has been committed to assisting those most in need. With the support of our corporate partners, we are able to maximize the effect of every dollar received. In 2003, Direct Relief International was able to deliver $3,400 in medical aid for every $100 donated!

BTW, DRI has a corporate matching program that seems impressive. They claim to be able to raise $3,400 for every $100 donated.

For 56 years, Direct Relief International has been committed to assisting those most in need. With the support of our corporate partners, we are able to maximize the effect of every dollar received. In 2003, Direct Relief International was able to deliver $3,400 in medical aid for every $100 donated!

Americares makes a similar claim. I don't think this is' matching' if you read carefully. I heard an interview with an Americares spokesman on the radio last night and they were basically explaining that they use public contributions for logistics and delivery costs. So, a $100 donation allows them to deliver $3,400 worth of aid that has already been donated.

Corporate matching, like my employer does, will give Americares $1 for every $1 I give, essentially doubling my cash donation.

eatchicago wrote:Corporate matching, like my employer does, will give Americares $1 for every $1 I give, essentially doubling my cash donation.

That's great! Every day, the situation seems to be getting worse, not better. I don't think anyone yet realizes the extent of the tragedy.

stevez wrote:

eatchicago wrote:Corporate matching, like my employer does, will give Americares $1 for every $1 I give, essentially doubling my cash donation.

That's great! Every day, the situation seems to be getting worse, not better. I don't think anyone yet realizes the extent of the tragedy.

Without a doubt. I hope everyone can find an extra few dollars to send. You can do a lot of good for the price of a couple lunches out.

In the interest of continued giving, I prepared another post here, where I would love to see some other people's thoughts or ideas or any indication of general interest.

Best,
EC

HI,

I have heard people forgo a meal and contribute what they would have spent. I take a slightly different approach: I eat the meal, then write a check matching the amount I spent and submit it.

As for the bake sale, we could do the classic: set up a card table, price it and sell it. Since we are an online community, we could have an online sale of our cakes, cookies, pies, jams and jellies via silent auction. For example, make the goodie, take a photo and post it as a topic with a minimum pledge amount. The powers-that-be could set a cut-off time and everyone is free to bid until that time. Bids submitted after the cut-off time are simply cut-off. The money is sent to a designated PayPal account, then the donor and winner arrange to exchange stuff.

It doesn't really have to be a classic bake sale item. I have a friend who likes to do dinner parties. She auctions seats at a dinner party, which is entirely people who won her auction. This is not just random seating, this is random guests because sometimes the winners pass their seat on as a gift to someone else.

If you have a specialized skill like making ice cream or canning tomatoes, then maybe someone will pay to learn one-on-one for a transfer of know-how.

These are things which are unique to us, which I think we have our built in audience: us!

Of course, if we want to do the classic card table sale, that is fine with me ... where?

Another useful resource when planning your giving is Charity Navigator, (http://www.charitynavigator.org). They provide useful ratings about the financial behavior of a wide variety of charities. Check it out before you give to any organization for any reason.

Best,
EC

Some Tsunami Relief Donations Useless

GALLE, Sri Lanka (AP) -- At the main warehouse in Galle, mountains of cardboard boxes and suitcases ready to burst take up a quarter of the cavernous building.

Some are labeled "Aid for Tsunami Victims," but their contents -- winter jackets, expired cans of salmon, stiletto shoes, winter tents, thong panties and even Viagra -- have left Sri Lankans scratching their heads.

Unprecedented aid poured in after the Dec. 26 tsunami, but some of those wanting to help were perhaps too eager, shipping items of no use in tropical Sri Lanka. And seven weeks after the disaster, no one knows what to do with some supplies piled up at government buildings, aid agencies and refugee camps.

"These items just cannot be used here," said storekeeper H. Wickremabandara, noting the average temperature is 82 degrees. "There are all these old clothes and no one wants them."