The Upsetting News Thread

[Alelou]

I'm sure everybody is already well aware, but redcross.org is making it super easy to donate. Right now, the people of Haiti need food, water, shelter and medical supplies. The easiest way to get those things to them is by donating cash.

http://www.redcross.org


You can use a credit card. You can use amazon.com or you can text Haiti to 90999 and $10 will be charged to your phone.

Thanks for the link, honeybee.

Actually, the easiest way to donate to Haiti specifically definitely is the text, because if you try to do it at the web site the only way to specify Haiti is to mail it in or call. But they do this for a good reason -- "sexy" causes always generate gobs of cash while the less publicized or longer-standing ones go begging. It's not very easy to manage a budget that provides aid all over the country and the world when most people only want to donate to the current crisis.

But I don't text anyway (oops, that was something I was going to figure out over the break -- oh well).

[honeybee]

You are right. Through the website, you can specify the International Response Fund, which is a kitty they use to respond to disasters LIKE the Haiti earthquake or the tsunami. Fine by me, too. I'm happy to know that their depleted funds are being replenished for whatever disaster comes along, big or small.

[justTripn]

Most organizations have funds on hand to move immediately, then they trust they will be reimbursed by the donors. And obviously there will be ongoing needs as the country rebuilds, so don't worry about sending money to an established organization with a good reputation and it being wasted. (Well obviously there will ALWAYS be some waste in a charitable distribution, but with the needs so dire, unless you have a better idea, let the UN and Red Cross and Save the Children and Doctors without Borders and Food for the Hungry and Americares, and International Rescue Committee, etc . . . do what they know how to do--get supplies, skilled personnel, and organizational infrastructure to where it is sorely needed.)

[enterprikayak]

I've got some auctions on ebay this week with a % donation of sale price going to the American Red Cross....easy thing to set up if you sell on ebay.

[honeybee]

You are right, JustTripin, all charities spend money (and probably waste some) on operations. But you should not begrudge professional organizations for spending money on things like fast computers and competent staff. Charities should pay their staffs well, as they need good, honest people.

My dad was an forensic accountant and he used to volunteer for the local United Way, auditing the small charities they they donated to. He always pointed out that the more professional the charity was, the less waste there was and the more good got done. He always supported paying the staff well, too. Of course, some charities use salaries to fleece the charity, (See the one run by those White House Gate Crashers.) but many do not.

But there is a great resource:

http://www.charitynavigator.org/

The above site gives statistical information on charities including what percentage of donations goes to the good-doing, what goes for operations and what the CEO makes. They also have a rating system.

[Elessar]

You fearless leader is sick

[Aquarius]

That blows. What did you have to go and catch???

[honeybee]

Hope you feel better Elessar.

If you've got the flu, especially take care of yourself. Given all the coverage of the earthquake, it's easy to forget we're still in pandemic mode.

[Elessar]

That blows. What did you have to go and catch???

just a cold, but I never get any sleep, so it's lingering.

It doesn't help my state of mind that 1. I burned the roof of my mouth with a pizza roll (like bad) and then irritated it by eating something rough (idk what it was), 2. that I scraped my elbow crawling under the table to go after my dog when he ate half my lunch yesterday and 3. that I haven't had a decent meal in like a week. Stupid fast food!

[Linda]

Elessar, I think that sleep is now your highest priority. GET SOME SLEEP, BUDDY!

[Elessar]

I went shopping! Groceries abound! Real food! yay!

Sleep is next on the list I didn't get much but I feel good. Yay for the cleansing effects of cranberry juice!

[Aquarius]

Had day from hell today,

I got home from classes and I couldn't find Elvis. I was worried about him; he'd had a dental done on Monday and hasn't been quite right since. After frantically searching the house I grabbed my phone to call my ex, seeing that he'd called moments before and my ringer was off. Message said he had the cat at the vet and it wasn't looking good. I got there to be told that his diabetes had not only returned but that his sugar was sky high; his liver values were high, and he was dehydrated.

They gave him fluids and insulin and potassium...he's perked up some, but he's still not eating on his own, I've had to force feed him. I have to work in the morning so the ex is taking him back to the vet so they can check his progress, and I'm coming home early at noon to stay with him all day.

I can't do this again so soon.

[Grrr]

Aquarius,


Grrr

[panyasan]

Aquarius, one from me too. Hope Elvis would get better soon.

[Alelou]

That sucks. I'm sorry.

I must say, your ex seems pretty good at co-parenting your cats with you.