I’ve heard a couple of people say that they would love to give a donation to Haiti, but they just don’t have the funds. Some of them have wondered about donating clothing or other items. At first, I thought that was the perfect solution, but then I saw the news last night. The Haitian embassy is so overwhelmed with donations that they are piled up in mounds outside the gates and the embassy is trying its best to protect the donations from the elements. I saw a package of diapers that had tumbled off a pile sitting off to the side. So, I’m thinking that giving items to the Haitian people, well intentioned as it is, may not be quite the right solution. 
Instead, why not sell all the items you’ve collected from cleaning out your pantry or closets to send to Haiti? You can sell them through yard sales, thrift stores, or sites like eBay or Craigslist. Then, you can use the money you’ve earned to give a cash donation to a reputable charity that is dedicated to helping Haiti. The Red Cross, Doctors Without Borders and several other charities are working hard to get medical care, food, water and shelter to people.
Thinking that selling things to collect money will take time, while the clothing or food you donate will provide immediate help? It might not. With all the mail and other delivery services being disrupted and search and rescue people having trouble getting in, I’m not sure if the embassy will be able to ship in all the goods that are already stacked outside the gates in a timely fashion. And the truth is, as Sherry from Pitt Watch mentions, they’ll need your money next week, next month, or next year just as much as they need it now.
Photo: SXC
Post from: Blisstree