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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He may be third in line for the British throne, but Prince William is not afraid to get down and dirty – as long as it’s for a good cause. Tuesday night, Prince William slept on the streets of London despite the weather conditions. The temperatures that night went down to as low as negative four degrees Celsius and yet the Prince took it all in good stride – he used cardboard boxes as bedding.

So why did he do this? The Prince slept on the street as part of promoting awareness of homeless people. He supports charitable group Centrepoint, which focuses on those who do not have homes. Seyi Obakin, the chief executive of the organization tells of Prince William’s experience:

“There was no shielding from the bitter cold or the hard concrete floor or the fear of being accosted by drug dealers, pimps or those out to give homeless people a good kicking. One of the hairiest moments occurred when we were almost run over by a road sweeper which simply didn’t see our small group huddled together, which just goes to show how vulnerable rough sleepers are.”

Obakin spent the night with Prince William and also shared just how determined he was to get an understanding of what homeless people go through. After that night, the Prince probably has a whole new perspective.

What does this mean for the charity? They just might get financial support from the Royal Family. At the very least, more people will pay attention to their cause.

Categories: Charities, Inspiration, News | Tags: charity organizations, homeless, Prince William

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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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On the one hand, the children being adopted by celebrities are given another shot at life – a much better shot, actually. On the other hand, celebrity adoptions may be sending out the wrong message. This is what the charitable organization EveryChild is concerned about.

The recent news that musician Elton John is planning to adopt a 14-month-old boy from a Ukrainian orphanage is the root of the charity’s sentiments. Elton John has been active in helping raise awareness for infants who are infected with HIV. His recent visit to the Ukraine is part of his efforts.

While he has always considered adoption, he said that he had concerns about it as he is not exactly a spring chicken and his career is not exactly the perfect setting for raising a child as well. However, when he laid his eyes on Lev, the baby boy, and interacted with him, Sir Elton John said that he changed his mind.

Now back to the concern of EveryChild…according to James Georgalakis, EveryChild’s Communications and Advocacy Manager, people in developing countries might get the wrong message from all these celebrity adoptions. He told CNN that:

“Research conducted in the Ukraine in 2007 which showed high-profile celebrity adoptions and news around foreigners coming into the country and adopting children generally was actually encouraging vulnerable young mothers to abandon their children into homes hoping their child would be adopted by a rich foreigner and have a better life. So it’s quite well documented that these high-profile adoptions could actually be increasing the number of children in institutions.”

Having read that information, I do see the point that EveryChild is concerned about. However, limiting or disallowing celebrity adoptions may not be the solution. What do you think? Should celebrity adoptions be restricted or is there another way to approach the issue?

Photo courtesy of CNN

Categories: Charities, Children, Organizations | Tags: adoptions, celebrity adoptions, charitable-organizations, charity, Elton John, EveryChild, international adoptions

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