How was your weekend? Just like many other people around the world, you probably enjoyed your break from your work week; but I am sure that you also heard about what happened in Chile. They got hit by an 8.8 earthquake – more than a degree stronger than the quake that shattered the country of Haiti.

It hasn’t been more than a day or so since this happened, and the damages are only now being seen in Chile. The death toll has reached hundreds, and the numbers are expected to rise. Tsunamis have been triggered by the quake, with the waves reaching as far as Japan and Russia. Fortunately for those countries, they didn’t really get affected.

It’s another story in Chile, though. The people of this country need our help now. In the United States, you can help through SMS:

• SMS text “CHILE” to 25383 to donate $10 to Habitat for Humanity
• SMS text “CHILE” to 20222 to donate $10 to World Vision
• SMS text “REBUILD” to 50555 to donate $10 to Operation USA
• SMS text “YOUTH” to 20222 to donate $10 to UNICEF

You can also donate through Google Checkout here. They are receiving donations for UNICEF and Direct Relief International.

There are also numerous other ways by which you can donate – those are perhaps the most convenient. However, I challenge you to step out of your comfort zones and find more ways to help. Mashable has an extensive list here. Visit your local Red Cross and other organizations that may be holding their own operations. This is not the time to sit back and relax. You never know, next time, it might be you needing this kind of help.

Categories: Campaigns, Charities, Disaster Relief | Tags: Charities, Chile, Google Checkout, Haiti, Mashable, SMS donations

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They were the best of friends in the long running TV show Friends, and they are really close friends in real life as well. I am sure you know the people I am talking about – Jennifer Aniston and Courtney Cox. These girls have taken their friendship to great lengths, and now, they are getting together to extend a helping hand to some women who need it the most.

The friends are currently busy with a project which is aimed at empowering women in Congo. More than giving their verbal and public support, Aniston and Cox are actually spending time to help the cause out. One activity they engaged in was to take part in a dinner which helped raised awareness for their charity. They were joined by Sheryl Crow. The friends are now working on catching the attention of Senator Hilary Clinton.

The organization is called OmiPeace, which is actually a humanitarian fashion brand, and is run by Mary Fanaro, another friend (not a TV “Friend,” as I am sure you know). Courtney Cox is really passionate about what they’re doing. It was quite touching to read what she said: “OmniPeace was created to give back. I can’t think of a better way to support my best friend and all the work that she and OmniPeace do to donate to causes supporting peace, education, human rights and the end of extreme poverty by 2025. Mary’s passion is so contagious and wonderful. It has taught me that anything is possible with enough perseverance and tenacity.”

To find out more about OmniPeace and how you can help, visit www.omnipeace.com/.

Categories: Campaigns, Charities, News, Organizations, Websites, Women | Tags: celebrity charities, Charities, Congo, Courtney Cox, Friends, Jennifer Aniston, OmniPeace, women's charities

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Remember what happened to Louisiana when Hurricane Katrina hit several years ago? The hurricane dumped more than an inch of rainfall for three hours, and then it dumped 0.5 inches of rain for the next 5 hours or so. We all know what happened.

Now think of a tropical storm dumping an average of 2.24 inches of rain per hour for six hours straight. Think of a metropolis crammed with millions and millions of people – many of them living near swollen rivers in makeshift shanties. You can just imagine the disaster!

This is exactly what happened to Metro Manila and outlying areas on Saturday, September 26. The center of the nation was left helpless under the wrath of nature. Even the business district was flooded, with cars being swept away by the flood waters.

Ordinary people were left stranded in the middle of the highways. Others were stuck on the roofs of their houses. The less fortunate ones were carried away by the raging waters.

One thing is clear: these people need help.

You will be amazed at how quickly the Filipino people are banding together to offer their help. Numerous institutions have opened their arms as hosts to those who have been displaced. Churches, schools, and community centers have risen to the occasion. Others have volunteered to pack relief goods. People have also been using technology non-stop to do their part – spreading information, asking for rescue, even sending donations to the Philippine Red Cross through their mobile phones. Nothing is too small, and nothing too big – the Filipino nation is showing their “bayanihan” spirit and is proud of it.

For those who want to donate or help in whatever way you can, here’s the relevant information.

• Red Cross donation via SMS: text REDAMOUNT to 2899 (Globe) or 4483 (Smart)
• Relief goods can be sent to Caritas Manila Office at Jesus St., Pandaca Manila near Nagtahan Bridge (tel.no. 5639298/5639308). Relief goods can also be brought Radio Veritas at Veritas Tower West Ave. Corner EDSA (tel no. 9257931-40).
• TeamManila stores in Trinoma, Mall of Asia, Jupiter Bel-Air and Rockwell shall be accepting relief goods (Canned Goods, Ready-to-drink Milk, Bottled Water and Clothes) for distribution by Veritas to displaced countrymen due to Typhoon Ondoy.
• Generous souls in the US who wish to help in the rescue and relief operations, you may donate through the American Red Cross. Call 1-800-435-7669.

Categories: Campaigns, Charities, Disaster Relief, News | Tags: donations, natural-disasters, philippines, red-cross, relief good, rescue operations, tropical storm, typhoon, typhoon ondoy

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Howard Stern may not be the first person to come to mind when thinking about good works and activities along the same line. Indeed, this celebrity is normally associated with adjectives such as “sleazy.” But if news reports are to be believed, Howard Stern, or at least his staff, is busy doing good things.

So there is this auction going on right now on eBay. This was set up by the staff of the Howard Stern show, and guess what is on auction? The King of All Media himself. The winner of the auction will have the opportunity to be present in the studio, spend time with Howard Stern and the cast of the show. Here is the charitable part – the proceeds of the auction will go to the Holly Heisman Memorial Fund. This is a trust that offers grants to organizations that work with women in need.

You might be wondering why Howard Stern chose this specific trust as the recipient of his good work? Well, the Holly Heisman Memorial Fund was actually established by Dan Heisman, Stern’s former chess instructor. He did so in honor of his wife, who died from breast cancer in 1994. The auction is in progress, and will end on the 12th of August.

By the way, this isn’t the only act of charity that the Howard Stern Show has been involved in. From causes like HIV/AIDS prevention to helping a quadriplegic man to Eritrean refugees, the staff of the show have been very busy.

Categories: Campaigns, Charities, Organizations

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I have always believed that technology is something that can be used for great good, and this latest development from Infospace is the perfect example. Infospace is based in Bellevue, WA, and is an Internet search provider. In line with their business, the company has launched a new search engine which focuses specifically on charities!

Dubbed Do Great Good, the web site’s URL is www. DoGreatGood.com. So how does the search engine help charities? In fact, the new search engine compiles search results from Google, Yahoo, Bing, and Ask. Half of the revenue generated by the search engine then goes to charity.

Here’s “how it works” from the web site itself:

Like other search engines, Do Great Good makes money when you search the Web on our site. And only Do Great Good lets you support causes you care about at no cost to you by donating half of that money to charity! The more you search, the more you help. It’s that simple!

I have to admit that I am a slave to Google. I can’t even use Yahoo to search because I am not satisfied with the results. Plus, I am so used to seeing the interface of Google that it just doesn’t seem right if I don’t use it. Then again, I think I just might try using Do Great Good for a bit, if only for the charities that will benefit. Also, it might actually give me more varied results since it compiles results from several search engines.

What say you?

Categories: Campaigns, Charities, Fundraising, Websites

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