haiti
January 14, 2010
Time to Give by Bonehead
There’s time to be a Bonehead – and sometimes there’s not.
After spending time watching the news and scanning the stories and their horrific photos of the past forty eight or so hours reporting on the devastating Earthquake in Haiti it seems somewhat inappropriate as yet to babble along with my typical snarky attitude and usual ramblings about stupid annoyances.
So many people killed just proves once more how fragile life is, and how it can be wiped out whenever, wherever and without warning.
You’ve seen the photos and video of the devastation – it is all quite graphic and disturbing.
Often in a tragedy, a person’s quality will shine through by the simple human trait of wanting to help. When you’re too far away to lend a helping hand physically – you can always help by donating dollars. Personally, we’ve helped in some local fundraising done by Americares after both 9/11 and Hurricane Katrina – but however you may choose to do something – that choice is yours.
The international community must rise to the occasion and help the Haitian people in every way possible. Imagine you were faced with having 
everything you knew, your home, family, pets, possessions swallowed and taken by disaster. Imagine that such basics as running water, food and shelter from the rain were now considered a luxury.
You’d want people to reach out and help you.
Right now there are bodies lining the streets of people who’s lives were wiped out by a shift in the earths plates. There’s not enough infrastructures remaining to properly dispose or bury the dead – which means that within days those still alive will be exposed to disease, dysentery and further hardship.
Chances are you don’t know any of the people affected by this tragedy. They’ll never have any effect, positive or negative in your life. They’ll never know weather you decided to donate five bucks to an organization that can help their plight, or if you decided to slap the five bucks on the bar for another Heineken.
But if you do nothing, you can be certain that their days of never knowing will be less likely to continue.
Here are a few worthwhile charitable organizations that are helping the relief effort, and some you can feel confident your donation will actually get to the people who need it. Long Islanders have always been very generous when it comes to supported those affected by disaster, may that never change.
Do what you can, give even though there may be nothing in your hand. Be a hero. Just for one day.
Laura
Your coverage shows commitment to true journalism and compassion to humanity. I think you have just made a hugh jump forward in your reporting skills.
Excellent and very appropriate. I am left feeling ashamed of my petty issues.
Thank you.
Will
Hi Christine.
Very well written,and presented really professionally.
lets just hope that the money collected will lead to a new Haiti and not as in the past will dissapear in the hands of the corrupt leaders of Haiti.
It seems the US will take an active role in the temporarely governing of Haiti.
Lets hope that that Haiti doesn't become a piece off land coveted by the super powers.
Will.