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National PTA feels that at this time support needs to be offered globally. A tragedy in one nation affects us all.
Since January 12, 2010, members have asked about National PTA efforts to help students, families, and schools in Haiti. For now we would encourage our members to support relief agencies. Currently it is still too early to provide support other than to those connected to search, rescue, and recovery efforts.
While donations of food, medical supplies, clothing, and school supplies will eventually be needed, the best way to show your support now is by making monetary donations (CNN article). The ground situation is too dire to make donation of tangible goods possible. Accepting cash and in-kind donations are these sites:
This list is by no means comprehensive; there are many other charities that need help. Even making donations to your local Red Cross can relieve pressure on the national organization.
During this tragedy, there has been an outpouring of support which may make giving difficult. Phone lines and websites may be overwhelmed by users trying to connect and offer their support. We urge you to keep trying, but also to try alternate means of support.
Using your cell phone, you can text "Haiti" to 90-999 which, after asking you to confirm, will donate $10 to the Red Cross's relief efforts. Additionally, you may text "Yele" to 501-501 to send a $5 donation to Yéle Haiti. Standard messaging charges apply and donations are billed to your phone bill or deducted from your pre-pay balance.
These donations may be small amounts, but can be made multiple times. In this time of need, and especially during our recession, every dollar helps.
Please pass this information along to your membership and ask everyone to keep this country, their citizens and the rescue efforts in their thoughts and prayers.
Thank you,
Charles J. "Chuck" Saylors
National PTA President
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In our ongoing effort towards help and awareness, we would like to share this email from one PTA member:
To sum up our conversation, Hannah, my 8 year old daughter, was really affected by the images she saw on the news the night after the earthquake in Haiti. She cried and really wanted to do something. After contacting a few organizations, we found Partners in Health was collecting blankets and sleeping bags, which was something tangible for Hannah.
She has started a Blanket and Sleeping Bag drive with her school and has gotten 3 other schools to participate.
We would love any help spreading the word about this! HannaHelpsHaiti.com
Robin L. (Hannah's Mom)
Hannah and Robin bring to light an issue which we've encountered before, and, sadly, we are sure to face again: Helping our children deal with disasters and images they may see on television or the Internet. With 9/11, school shootings, and now with the earthquakes in Haiti, our children are inundated with realities they certainly may not be mature enough to to handle.
As parents and educators, the first, best thing we can do for our children when confronting frightening images and situations is to talk to them. Reassure them. Yes, bad things do happen. But as responsible and loving adults, we will always do what we can to look after and take care of our children.
The next step is to take action. Make your children part of your efforts to make the world a better place, both in times of peace and times of strife. Organizing fundraisers and advocating for change is something that even younger children can understand if we encourage them to be helpful and sharing individuals.
National PTA applauds Hannah and her family for making a change in the world we all live in. |
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We would also like to sure this information from the US Department of Homeland Security:
Help For Haiti
For all federal information regarding the relief efforts in Haiti visit: http://www.usaid.gov/haiti/
The best way to help is through cash donations to established organizations working in relief efforts. Cash donations allow disaster relief professionals to procure the exact goods needed (often locally within the country); reduce the burden on resources that tend to be scarce in a disaster setting (such as transportation routes, staff time, warehouse space, etc); can be transferred very quickly without transportation costs (which are often greater than the value of the donated goods); support the economy of the disaster-stricken region; and ensure culturally, dietary, and environmentally appropriate assistance.
Donations of Goods And Services
If you have read the above guidelines and you still would like to offer a donation of goods, please visit www.usaid.gov/haiti/. You will find an online database for organizations working in Haiti to any commodity needs, and be able to register your offer of a commodity. Please be aware that all offers are screened to match needs and capacity on the ground and the information you provide may be accessed by relief and development agencies seeking appropriate goods and services. If an agency is interested in your offer, they will contact you directly. It is important to note that registering your information does not guarantee that the goods you offered will be used by a relief or development agency.
DHS Response to the Earthquake in Haiti
Within hours of the devastating earthquake that struck Haiti last week, DHS began mobilizing its resources to support the international response effort. The U.S. Coast Guard deployed the first asset to Haiti, with the Coast Guard Cutter Forward and its crew arriving the morning after the earthquake struck. The U.S. government continues to expand and secure our distribution network in Haiti to deliver more aid to the Haitian people. At the request of the Haitian government, the U.S. continues to coordinate America’s relief efforts with the United Nations and the international community. We are coordinating closely with more than 30 nations and hundreds of NGOs to deliver food and water quickly throughout the country.
As part of our efforts, Secretary Napolitano has announced two initiatives to help in the humanitarian response. The first, announced on Friday, Jan. 15, extends Temporary Protective Status to Haitian nationals who were in the United States as of Jan. 12. Eligible Haitians covered by the policy will be allowed to continue living and working in our country for the next 18 months. Second, the Secretary announced on Jan. 18 a policy granting humanitarian parole to certain orphaned children from Haiti to enter the United States temporarily on a case-by-case basis to ensure that they receive the care they need. To read a fact sheet about humanitarian parole for certain Haitian orphans, click here. |
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