Comments on: The Help Haiti Blog Challenge: There’s More.

By: Charlotte

Charlotte — Tue, 19 Jan 2010 16:48:03 +0000

Great discussion. Doing anything is better than doing nothing — and well done to everyone for doing “anything” so creatively.

By: kellydiels

kellydiels — Sun, 17 Jan 2010 06:05:09 +0000

It really IS a great discussion. I’m so glad that people are getting passionate and getting involved. It makes me feel like we are pulling together. It makes me feel vastly less helpless to help.

By: Mark Philip Venema

Mark Philip Venema — Sun, 17 Jan 2010 06:01:45 +0000

Like the discussion here. How about some creative solutions that visual artists can come up with?
- : http://wp.me/pvtzn-3T

By: Karen Chaffee

Karen Chaffee — Sat, 16 Jan 2010 14:13:02 +0000

One reliable place to donate whatever you can is through AARP. They will match however much or little you donate dollar for dollar, so I chose to go with them. Their website is http://www.aarp.com

By: Jonathan Mead

Jonathan Mead — Sat, 16 Jan 2010 05:25:33 +0000

Thank you Kelly for starting this, and Danielle for bringing it to my attention.

I’m in.

http://bit.ly/5EvcSu

By: kellydiels

kellydiels — Sat, 16 Jan 2010 03:45:59 +0000

Yes! What Dave just said!

By: Dave Doolin

Dave Doolin — Sat, 16 Jan 2010 02:37:47 +0000

Why can’t we do both, public and private?

By: wholly jeanne

wholly jeanne — Sat, 16 Jan 2010 02:12:02 +0000

i just want to thank you, sugar, for all you’ve done to motivate people to action. what you’ve done it put together a veritable smorgasbord of ways people can help. you have rallied the troops and gotten people thinking of how they can help. and, as we say around here: bless you heart, your precious little ole’ heart.

By: kellydiels

kellydiels — Sat, 16 Jan 2010 01:49:08 +0000

I totally got the point that Mike was making. I’m making a slightly different one.

It is absolutely noble to do something selfless, quietly, privately. I hope lots of people are doing just that.

But tell me something: how does a private act that no one else knows about encourage others to do the same thing?

There are no social movements that flourish in a private room or within the confines of one’s head.

If we want to work together, to make things better, then we have to put ourselves out there. That’s what community is about. We have to say, here’s what I’m doing. Here’s what I’m trying to do. Won’t you join me, too?

Yesterday, this is what I had, in cash to give: not much. Today, someone agreed to buy some copy and instead of paying me, make a donation instead. That feels pretty good to me.

And it seems – from what I see here and other places – that this is happening with other people, too.

Have you ever worn a poppy for Remembrance day? Or a ribbon for a cause? Symbols have meaning. We like to belong and show our allegiances and our passions.

The badge, the sign up, the talking amongst ourselves – that’s the packaging. That’s human. That’s community and a way to rally people. To be visible. To show up. To care. To encourage others to do the same.

So I absolutely understand what you’re saying. I understand how this might look. I’m pretty anguished about that, in fact. But more important than that and the little hits my heart is taking is the outcome. I believe in people and I believe that they will make the donations they are pledging. And that will make a difference.

And that is more than I could have done on my own, quietly, privately.

By: Tom Hitchcock

Tom Hitchcock — Sat, 16 Jan 2010 01:22:56 +0000

I think you might have missed the point Mike was making in his comment. It looks to me that he was suggesting the people should give for Haiti without seeking cheap publicity for their books and consultancy. And without plastering a badge on their websites with your name and link all over it.

I commend him for that. As Sean says “Do something and don’t advertise.”