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ICIWorld's Charities and Aid Resource Page

Many of the following aid groups help out in various capacities for disasters in Haiti and other disasters such as Katrina and the South Asia tsunami.

People are greatly concerned with social responsibility. By making a contribution to something which one believes in, we feel that, even in a small way, we are making a difference. This page can help you make the right choices and how to contribute.

Another important reason to have this page is to educate you about scammers posing as legitimate charities. For example the following can happen any and everywhere in the world. Here is an article in a Canadian newspaper article in the Toronto Star January 15, 2010 that applies no matter where in the world you are located:

"It took only about 24 hours before scammers were churning out emails exploiting the disaster (in Haiti), security experts said Thursday.

Most of the spam emails are masquerading as legitimate pleas for donations from aid groups, said Dylan Morrs, spokesman for security software maker Symantec. Most of the messages are unsophisticated and usually involve requests to send personal information to an email address or fax number.

The Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade has compiled a guide to help the public avoid scams and ensure their donations are of maximum value. It can be found online at www.international.gc.ca

The Better Business Bureau recommends the public consult the Canadian Revenue Agency's list of registered charities and relief organizations at www.cra.gc.ca/donors."

This article mentioned a partial list of experienced humanitarian organizations, which includes the World Vision Canada, Medicins Sans Frontieres, Save the Children and the Canadian Red Cross.

Other suggestions of how to help.

UNICEF

Meanwhile, provincial governments are making cash donations to the Canadian Red Cross to help relief efforts.

Information, resources, and ways you can help survivors of the Haiti earthquake.

Impact Your World When disaster strikes or horrible events unfold, these are opportunities to effect change. In a network-wide initiative, CNN is helping to empower the individual who has asked or thought, What can I do?

Special fund established by the National Association of Realtorsฎ to provide emergency relief to hurricane victims. Details

What Motivates People To Be Charitable?

Charitable Trusts

Those already helping victims of Katrina, Haiti and other disasters in Canada include:
 
  • Canadian Red Cross: Donate directly: 1-800-418-1111 or http://www.redcross.ca.
  • Banks and credit unions: Donations at Bank of Montreal, CIBC, HSBC, National Bank, Royal Bank, Scotiabank and TD Canada Trust branches and many credit unions will be funnelled to the Canadian Red Cross.
  • Whole Foods Market: Top up grocery purchases with a donation, which Whole Foods will match up to a total of $1 million (U.S.) and give to the American Red Cross. Its Ontario stores are at 301 Cornwall Rd., Oakville, and 87 Avenue Rd., Toronto.
  • LCBO: 600 stores collect via Canadian Red Cross boxes at cash registers.
  • World Vision Canada: Bringing food, water, clothing, medicine and hygiene products to victims. Call 1-800-268-5528 or go to http://www.worldvision.ca
  • The Salvation Army: Help feed the hungry. Call 1-800-SAL-ARMY or visit http://www.salvationarmy.ca
  • Mennonite Disaster Service: Volunteer teams mobilized across the Gulf Coast, to help clean up and rebuild homes. Go to http://www.mds.mennonite.net or call 1-866-261-1274 for other options.
  • ShareLife: Charitable arm of the Archdiocese of Toronto is collecting for Catholic Charities USA. Call 416-934-3400 or go to http://www.sharelife.org
  • B'nai Brith Canada: Organizing a clothing drive Sept. 25, through donation points in major centres. For details, sites: 416-633-6224 ext.108 or http://www.bnaibrith.ca
  • Text messaging

    Mobile Giving Foundation I spoke with Bell Canada and they said you can text $5 from your cell phone by sending a text message to 45678 and type Haiti in the body. A $5 will be charged on your Bell Mobility bill.

    Canadian Red Cross set up a text messaging campaign that lets cellphone users donate $5 to the Haiti Earthquake Fund by texting REDCROSS to 30333. After users respond to a confirmation message, a $5 charge is placed on their phone bill.

    Supplied by CNN - Disaster officials recommend the following Web sites (some sites may respond slowly due to increased traffic): 
    Donate & Volunteer
    • American Red Cross -- (800) HELP-NOW
    • Feed the Children -- (800) 525-7575
    • Salvation Army -- (800) SAL-ARMY
    • America's Second Harvest -- (877) 817-2307
    • Catholic Charities USA -- (800) 919-9338
    • B'nai B'rith International -- (888) 388-4224
    • Church World Service -- (800) 297-1516 ext 222
    • MercyCorps -- (800) 852-2100
    • Noah’s Wish -- (530) 622-9313
    • North Shore Animal League -- (877) 4savepet
    • Operation Blessing -- (800) 730-2537
    • Episcopal Relief and Development -- (800) 334-7626
    • Habitat for Humanity -- (866) 720-2800
    • The United Way -- (800) 272-4630
    • Humane Society of America -- (888) 259-5431
    • ASPCA -- (866) 275-3923
    • Lutheran Disaster Response -- (800) 638-3522
    • Mennonite Disaster Service -- (800) 348-7468
    • Water Missions International -- (843) 769-7395
    • The Baton Rouge Area Foundation -- (877) 387-6126
    • Samaritan’s Purse -- (800) 665-2843
    • Food for the Hungry -- (877) 780-4261 ext 2506
    • Northwest Medical Teams -- (800) 959-4325
    • World Relief -- (800) 535-5433
    • Adventist Development Relief Agency -- (800) 424-2372
    • Southern Baptist Convention -- (888) 571-5895
    • Save the Children -- (800) 728-3843
    • International Medical Corps -- (800) 481-4462
    • American Friends Service Committee -- (888) 588-2378
    • AmeriCares -- (800) 486-4357
    • International Aid -- (800) 251-2502
    • International Medical Corps -- (800) 481-4462
    • International Relief Teams -- (619) 284-7979
    • International Rescue Committee -- (877) 733-8433
    • Life for Relief and Development -- (800) 827-3543
    • MAP International -- (866) 627-4483
    • Mercy (M-USA) -- (800) 55-MERCY
    • Operation USA -- (800) 678-7255
    • Relief International -- (800) 573-3332
    • Relief International -- (800) 573-3332
    • USA Freedom Corps -- (212) 348-8882
    • World Concern -- (800) 755-5022 ext. 0
    Get Help
    • FEMA
    • American Red Cross -- (800) HELP-NOW
    Locate the Missing
    • National Next of Kin Registry -- (800) 944-4084
    Find Local Information

    Guidestar.org GuideStar is the preeminent market research tool for businesses that serve the nonprofit community.

    Give.org

    http://www.networkforgood.org/ This web site provides an easy way to donate online to all the major relief groups speeding aid to hurricane victims.

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    Tsunami Aid: Where to Donate Online

    Many relief organizations have set up Websites to take donations for aid to victims of the South Asia tsunami. Below is a partial listing; in addition, several blogs, such as The Command Post and Tsunami Help, also provide good information on where and how to donate. You can also go to Network for Good to donate to multiple aid organizations.

    Relief organizations stress that cash contributions are the most effective, because of the expense involved in transporting donations of goods like food or clothing to Asia. Some aid organizations, and where to donate online:

  • International Committee of the Red Cross
    This is the major relief provider in the area and one of the few organizations actively helping people trace lost relatives. It has pledged to raise $8.5 million worldwide for emergency aid
     
  • Doctors Without Borders
    The group has dispatched 54 tons of medical and sanitation equipment to northern Sumatra and Colombo and opened a clinic in Aceh, near the epicenter of the earthquake
     
  • UNICEF
    South Asia Tsunami Relief Fund of the United Nations’ International Children’s Emergency Fund
     
  • CARE
    CARE volunteers in India, Indonesia, Sri Lanka and Thailand are providing survivors with water purification tablets and oral rehydration salts to combat water-borne diseases
     
  • Oxfam
    Oxfam, which is concentrating its efforts in the worst hit areas, has flown 27 tons of emergency equipment to Sri Lanka and Indonesia and is distributing food and shelter supplies from its base in Trincomalee, Sri Lanka
     
  • UN World Food Programme
    The UN organization has airlifted two shipments of food aid to Colombo and the Maldives as part of its $1.5 million pledge to disaster victims
     
  • UNHCR
    The UN’s refugee agency is leading the organization’s effort to shelter displaced people and has already delivered tents, kitchen sets and plastic sheeting to thousands in Aceh and Sri Lanka
     
  • ReliefWeb
    This site, organized by the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, contains news and documents related to major humanitarian crises around the world
     
  • Save the Children
    Has local teams in Aceh treating children for water-borne diseases and emotional trauma
     
  • World Vision
    World Vision is collecting money for family survival kits that will include blankets, tarps, water purification tablets and cooking supplies
     
  • Salvation Army
    The group is giving “practical aid and spiritual comfort” in Sri Lanka, India and Aceh and Nias Island in Indonesia, by setting up feeding centers, distributing clothing and blankets in relief camps and counseling relatives of victims
     
  • Mercy Corps
    Mercy Corps is working with local organizations in India and Sri Lanka to distribute provisions and has emergency teams in Padang and Banda Aceh
     
  • Catholic Relief Services
    The organization has pledged $25 million in aid to India, Sri Lanka and Indonesia and has already begun providing food and medical assistance in the affected areas with partner agency Caritas India
     
  • American Jewish World Service
    The group is working with non-governmental organizations in the disaster region to provide emergency food, shelter and medical relief and long-term development support
     
  • Islamic Relief Services
    Islamic Relief Worldwide has launched an appeal to raise $4 million for relief intervention and rehabilitation in the region, with $54,000 earmarked for Sri Lanka and Indonesia
     
  • Lutheran World Relief
    Will help rebuild infrastructure damaged by the tsunami and provide aid and counseling to victims
     
  • International Orthodox Christian Charities
    Focusing relief efforts on the hardest-hit areas of Indonesia, Sri Lanka and India
     
  • Prime Minister’s National Relief Fund
    Donate online to the Indian relief fund
     
  • Kintera.org Non-Profit
    Donate to many non-profits here
  • We would like to hear about the charities, worthy causes that you believe are good to support and the reasons why. Contact us now to have your charity listed here.  You may give ideas to others to support it.

    Our industry is made up of many different people from very diverse backgrounds.  However one thing we all share is our love to serve.  There are many ways to serve ones community including our service to our families, prospects and clients, and the community in which we live. 

    Here are ways that members and readers of ICIWorld serve their community.

    Tsunami Aid

    Knights of Columbus are Catholic gentlemen committed to the exemplification of charity.

    Boy Scouts of America The National Council of the Boy Scouts of America supports more than 300 local councils that provide quality youth programs, including Cub Scouting, Boy Scouting, and Venturing.

    Habitat for Humanity Canada Builds affordable housing for families in need. This program is a "hand up" not a "hand out."

    "Service to humanity is the greatest work of life."

    Sincerely

    Gary Nusca, CCIM
    416-214-4875
    1-877-272-1721